Why was airport project given to firm under Amla probe, asks NGO

 

Pertubuhan Peneraju Insan said the Penang-based developer had its accounts frozen since 2012, while investigations by LHDN were ongoing.

PUCHONG: The Kedah menteri besar has been asked to explain the state government’s decision to award the contract to build the Kulim airport to a firm that is being probed under an anti-money laundering act.

Pertubuhan Peneraju Insan secretary Indrani Selvakumar said the Penang-based company also had its accounts frozen since 2012, while investigations were ongoing.

“How is it that a contract worth over RM6 billion was awarded to a company plagued with problems since 2012 and is still being probed by the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN)?

“Did the state government not conduct any background checks? There’s something amiss here,” she said at a press conference this evening.

Indrani, who is also a PKR Sungai Siput member, said she had lodged two reports with the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission over the matter.

In August, Kedah signed a deal with ECK Group to build the new Kulim airport by 2026, with the company to spend RM6 billion in the first phase, which will include land acquisition.

A special purpose vehicle would also be created, with the developer holding an 80% stake, the rest being held by KXP AirportCity Holdings Sdn Bhd, a company owned by the state government, and chaired by menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

Earlier this month, in lodging a police report against Sanusi, Indrani alleged that the developer was being investigated under Section 44 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla). - FMT