PKR vice-president K Saraswathy has called on National Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique to explain the approval of funds from the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) for a now-dormant foundation.
Saraswathy said it is the minister’s responsibility to clarify the process or criteria for Mitra’s fund approval after the foundation’s former director was slapped with 11 charges of misusing its funds.
“The charges against the (former) director of the Federal Territories Indian Development Foundation on Aug 1, 2022, raised various questions about the fund approval process of Mitra, an agency under the National Unity Ministry.
“Checks show that the foundation does not have a business address. The last annual accounts report submitted to the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) was for the 2016 financial year. Even that was after CCM issued a notice of cancellation of the foundation for not carrying out business or operations.
“In short, the foundation is a dormant company that has not had any operations for at least the past five years.
“Therefore, Mitra’s management and Halimah (above) should come forward and give a transparent explanation and acknowledge their weaknesses in managing and leading the involved funds,” she told Malaysiakini.
On Aug 1, Free Malaysia Today reported that the Sessions Court on Corruption charged M Govindarajoo, 65, with 11 counts of misappropriating property worth RM86,000, belonging to the Federal Territories Indian Development Foundation. This was allegedly done through 11 transactions between Aug 25 and 26, 2021.
He was charged under Section 403 of the Penal Code by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). He pleaded not guilty.
Govindarajoo also pleaded not guilty to 11 counts under Section 406 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust involving funds belonging to the same foundation.
Saraswathy also claimed that Govindarajoo used to be an advocate and solicitor.
“However, his name was struck from the Malaya High Court’s list of advocates and solicitors at the end of 2019 for hiding the fact that he had been declared bankrupt since 2005. As of the end of 2020, he is still bankrupt.
“If the foundation has been declared dormant and its director has a dubious background, then the foundation is clearly not eligible to receive any government funds.
“Hence, what is the basis for Mitra to approve funds to the foundation? Is there any political interference in this approval? This matter must be answered by Mitra,” he said.
Malaysiakini has contacted the ministry’s office and Mitra for comment. - Mkini
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