Man linked to firm building Langkawi project is only an adviser, says Kedah firm

 

The project in Langkawi is expected to be completed in five years. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The person linked to a company developing a RM1.3 billion project in Langkawi is merely its founder, Permodalan Kedah Berhad (PKB) clarified today.

“Goh Hock Choy is neither the director nor a shareholder.

“He is a founder who now acts as an adviser to Open Road Asia Sdn Bhd,” Abdul Rahman Din, the CEO of the Kedah government-owned company said.

PKB and Open Road Asia are jointly developing the racing circuit in Langkawi. PKB owns the land on which the project is to be developed.

Abdul Rahman went on to say that Goh was not involved in the signing of the joint venture between the two entities.

PKB, he also said, had conducted “due diligence” and found that Open Road Asia was a competent company and not one that was insolvent as previously alleged.

Neither were its directors bankrupt, Abdul Rahman added.

“We would like to advise all parties to confirm matters first before going public.

“We are prepared to provide an explanation, be it to the media or the public, on any of our projects.”

The project recently made headlines after a PKR member lodged a police report against Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor over the award of the project to Open Road Asia, which was alleged to have been linked to a bankrupt.

In her police report, Sungai Siput PKR member Indrani Selvakumar alleged that a key figure in the company that was awarded the project was a bankrupt and had been so for several years.

She also lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Sanusi had since denied awarding the project to any company, stating the state government did not have the means to fund such development projects.

The project, he added, was mooted and developed by Open Road Asia.

In March, it was reported that the racing circuit resort, which Sanusi described as a game-changer, would feature a track touted to be the “Nurburgring of the East”.

The project — which is expected to be completed in five years — would also feature a 4S car distribution centre, a vehicle garage warehousing facility, racing academy, sports hospital, housing projects and petrol stations. - FMT