PARLIAMENT | An investigation has found the involvement of various prime ministers and defence ministers of previous administrations in land swaps deals involving the Defence Ministry’s real estate.
This was clear in 13 out 16 land swap deals investigated, said Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu, as he tabled the final report of the Governance, Procurement and Finance Investigating Committee's probe on the Defence Ministry.
"The political consideration was above the interest of the government," he told the Dewan Negara today.
However, he did not name any of the executive members implicated in the deals at the august house.
Mohamad said 12 of the land deals were undervalued and some of the contracts were given to unqualified developers.
A total of 12 land deals were also awarded via direct negotiation, he said.
When asked later at a press conference, Mohamad denied Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was involved in the land swap issues, which started in 1997 during his first stint as the prime minister.
On Feb 19, Mohamad disclosed that 16 of his ministry’s projects suffered over RM500 million losses due to mismanagement and other factors.
Losing money since 1997
The losses involved projects dating back to 1997. These include two military bases in Paloh, Johor, and in Hutan Melintang, Perak, which were allegedly built on the instructions from the previous BN-led government to have their military voters transferred to the areas for political purposes.
Two days later, Mohamad's special functions officer Mohd Nasaie Ismail lodged an MACC report over Hutan Melintang and Paloh bases.
The MACC report was based on the investigation committee’s findings, the latter of which was led by the former auditor-general Ambrin Buang.
Between 1997 and May 9 last year, those who served as defence minister are: Syed Hamid Albar, Najib Abdul Razak, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and Hishammuddin Hussein.
Abdullah had also succeeded Mahathir as prime minister in 2003 after Mahathir resigned his first premiership, while Najib also became prime minister after Abdullah stepped down in 2009.
A 59-page summary of the report is available from the Defence Ministry’s website, whereas the full report is expected on Monday next week.
[More to follow] - Mkini
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