Azmin denies awarding tender to nephew

Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali has denied awarding his nephew, who was remanded by the MACC today, with a tender to mine sand in the state.

"That allegation is not true," Azmin told reporters when met in Bandar Baru Bangi tonight.

He explained that all tenders for sand mining in the state are handled by Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB), which is a fully owned subsidiary of Menteri Besar Inc.

"The entire tender process is conducted by KSSB. I am not a board member of KSSB, I am not involved in any decisions.

"I am confident that KSSB officers have the highest integrity to ensure that the (tender) process is transparent and open," he added.

Earlier today, it was reported that MACC had arrested Azmin's 34-year-old nephew and three others, over alleged involvement in illegal sand and gravel mining at a location in Kajang since 2014.

The suspects, comprising two directors of a sand mining company, one site manager and an advertising agency employee, allegedly bribed local government officers in the district to not take action against the illegal activities.

A blog claimed that they had also received tenders from the menteri besar.

All the men, aged between 34, and 67, were today remanded for seven days, until Dec 6. MACC also froze RM4 million in accounts belonging to one of the companies.

Azmin reiterated a statement by his office today that there was a conspiracy against the state government in the case.

"Umno bloggers had released the information even before the MACC took action. Why did this happen?" he asked.

He added that he would leave MACC to investigate the matter, and expressed confidence in the state government's transparency.- Mkini