Selangor state companies ‘obliged’ to pay more than RM 1 million of expenses incurred by Balkis

The New Straits Times Online: State firms settled Balkis’ bills

State subsidiaries said they felt “obliged” to pay expenses incurred by the Wives of Selangor Elected Representatives’ Welfare Association (Balkis) to organise functions and admitted that Balkis was “special” compared with other non-governmental organisations.
The Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) was told at its first-ever hearing at the Dewan Annex here, yesterday, that many of the sponsorships were requested verbally by former Balkis chairman Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik.

The representatives of all three state subsidiaries who testified — Selangor Agriculture Development Corporation (PKPS) deputy general manager Mohamad Nordin Darhan, former Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) chairman Datuk Harun Salim and Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad (KDEB) president Datuk Abdul Karim Munisar — said they paid the bills forwarded to them by Balkis.

“It looks like it was not a matter of sponsorship but the state subsidiaries becoming ‘tukang bayar’ (paymaster) for Balkis,” said Selcat chairman Teng Chang Khim at the hearing.

KDEB forked out almost RM700,000 to sponsor Balkis functions from 2002 to 2005.
This included RM17,000 for flight tickets for seven to Guangzhou where the Balkis entourage headed by Zaharah spent RM206,574.89, also paid by KDEB, to buy souvenirs such as multi-coloured flowers and 2,700 pieces of caps at RM8 each.

Karim said it was “very difficult” to reject sponsorship applications from Balkis as it was very influential and KDEB belonged to the state government, where Zaharah’s husband, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo was the menteri besar at the time.

PKNS and its subsidiaries spent about RM1 million until 2007 to sponsor Balkis events, a third of it on dinners alone. The corporation also sold two pieces of land below market price to Balkis.

Harun said PKNS never rejected any application from Balkis, which Teng described as “amazing”.

PKPS in 2006 paid about RM46,000 in tent rental and hampers for Balkis’ functions, 46 per cent of its yearly budget for sponsorship.

Also called to testify yesterday was State Secretary Datuk Ramli Mahmud.

Zaharah and Dr Khir who were scheduled to give their statements today may only be called tomorrow.

However, it is not known if they will attend as Dr Khir has labelled the Selcat hearing as not valid.

Teng said the validity should not be questioned as Barisan Nasional was represented by two assemblymen and both actively participated in the hearing yesterday.

Read:

Khir Toyo says he wants to educate Umno members not to join for monetary gain

Khir Toyo’s ‘accomplishments’ as Menteri Besar come to light

Khir Toyo, no stranger to attacking women, protests ‘attacks’ on his wife

How many cars does Khir Toyo and his wife need ?

Khir Toyo Spent At Least RM 349k Of State Money On Trips To London, Tokyo, Guangzhou, Kunming, Osaka, Fukuoka, Bangkok, Dubai, Beijing, Amsterdam, Milan, Venice, Geneva, Toronto, Los Angeles, Seoul, Chicago, Amsterdam. Stuttgart, Shanghai

Khir Toyo’s shameful ignorance of law exposed – he did not pay tax for car because he did not want to double pay IRB

 

Evidence Surfaces – Khir Toyo Received More Than ‘Just A Salary’ When He Was MB

Khir Toyo implicated in Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad’s RM 25 million property deals in Saudi Arabia

Malaysians denounce Khir Toyo’s hypocrisy

 

Khir Toyo bought a Mercedes S350L with Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad funds when he was Menteri Besar

Khir Toyo pronounces PKNS RM100,000 payout to him ‘halal’

Khir Toyo says when he was menteri besar, he only received salary and nothing else

 

• 
  Khir Toyo casts the first stone – demands Elizabeth Wong’s resignation 
  

 

Malaysian politicians – mostly No shame. No morals, no ethics

Khir Toyo: Nothing wrong with Zakaria’s application for 1300 square meter more land, next to Zakaria’s mansion on 3995 square meter land

Khir Toyo inspected Mersing ferries with law breaker Zakaria

Khir Toyo called to drop the rhetoric and be transparent and accountable

Khir Toyo the ineffective executive

Khir Toyo clamouring to repair public image

Khir Toyo says Zakaria’s resignation will maintain Umno’s good name, his party position not affected because it is civil matter

Khir Toyo’s new tune: law-breakers not fit to be councillor, now says there is crisis

Selangor under Khir Toyo – sad state of affairs

Sultan wants explanation re Klang, will also question Khir Toyo

Khir Toyo used to say Law-breakers (especially if he happens to be Zakaria) can become councillors

Khir Toyo drags his feet on Zakaria scandal: I don’t know, I am still waiting for report

Khir Toyo’s government approved 99 hillside projects since 2000 (including 10 in Bukit Antarabangsa, 11 in Melawati) !!

Khir Toyo’s comment on the Dec 08 Bukit Antarabangsa landslide, during his time, Semuanya OK

Selangor lost RM30 billion under Barisan Nasional administration

Selangor State Assembly condemns Khir Toyo for stirring racial discord, inciting hate

Report lodged agains Khir Toyo for trying to incite communal anger

Khir Toyo says he is not corrupt at Umno function, gets heckled by attendees

Khir Toyo’s wife Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik involved in dissolution of a welfare body and removing almost RM 10 million

‹ Malaysia acts to silence opposition publications

Khir Toyo denies accountability for Balkis’ expenses, said he was never Balkis member ›

Posted in BN government, jijik, khir toyo, kosong