EXCLUSIVE | A scandal has hit Federal Territories Pakatan Harapan following allegations that a Bersatu Youth leader is using political connections to rake in hundreds of thousands of ringgit to organise a Ramadan bazaar in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Bukit Bintang's long-term MP and DAP treasurer Fong Kui Lun has also been dragged into the matter.
This is over a letter of support he issued to Bukit Bintang Bersatu Youth chief Mohd Noorhisyam Abd Karim to secure approval from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to organise the bazaar.
A letter from DBKL to Mohd Noorhisyam, which had gone viral on social media, showed that 80 lots were approved for nine days for RM6,238.
This included a payment of RM180 per lot (RM20 per day) for licensing, space and cleaning fees for the bazaar which stretched from the Mydin hypermarket in Pudu to Masjid India.
However, allegations surfaced that Mohd Noorhisyam was collecting up to RM5,000 in rental from a single lot using middlemen.
Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman traders association deputy secretary Abdul Rahman Sulaiman, claimed that a middleman asked him to fork out RM4,000 for a lot.
"For traders who have been here a long time they offered RM4,000, but for newcomers, they really slaughtered them and asked for RM5,000.
"If he collects up to RM5,000 per lot, that means he can make up to RM400,000," he told Malaysiakini.
A source in DBKL told Malaysiakini that City Hall did not want to approve the baazar due to complaints of congestion but relented after Mohd Noorhisyam secured the support letter from Fong as well as an agreement that the stall owners would not obstruct the entrances.
Fong: I was promised no money would be collected
Fong told Malaysiakini that Mohd Noorhisyam promised him that no money would be collected.
"He promised they would not collect money and they would not obstruct the shops. I gave him a support letter to help hawkers who could not get a license from DBKL," said the five-term MP.
Fong also denied receiving a cut from Mohd Noorhisyam or his associates.
He said if the allegations of "hanky panky" were true, he would lodge a report with MACC over the matter.
Bukit Bintang Bersatu division chief Zailani Isausuludin, on the other hand, claimed that Mohd Noorhisyam (photo) acted without his knowledge and promised to lodge a MACC report as well.
Meanwhile, DBKL hawker licensing and development department director Anwar Mohd Zain told Malaysiakini that City Hall was unaware that Mohd Noorhisyam was allegedly charging exorbitant fees for the bazaar lots.
"If anyone complains about the sale of lots we will take action," he said.
Mohd Noorhisyam has since denied the allegations against him and told Malaysiakinithat he had not taken any money from traders. -Mkini
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