RCI finds lapses in Selangor fund distribution
Kuek Ser Kuang KengPublished: Jul 22, 2011 5:36 AM | Updated: Jul 22, 2011 1:04 PM
Apart from identifying the reasons behind the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock, the Royal Commission of Inquiry found several shortcomings in the procedure of handling state funds allocated to Selangor Pakatan Rakyat assemblypersons.
Apart from identifying the reason behind the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock, the Royal Commission of Inquiry found several shortcomings in the procedure of handling state funds allocated to Selangor Pakatan Rakyat assemblypersons.
These weaknesses, although not proven as corruption or irregularities, would raise doubts and invite accusations, the commission said.
According to the 124-page report, contractors and suppliers for the small projects or programmes funded with state funds allocated to Selangor state exco member Ean Yong Hian Wah would request the payment first from the DAP, since the district office or land office would take one to two months to process their claims. Thus, when payment was finally received from the district office or land office, reimbursement had to be made to DAP.
“We find this rather odd when the parties involved in this process were unable to exclude political parties from involvement in government projects. The allocation was from the budget of the state government.
“It was supposed to be spent for the residents living in a particular area in the state. A political party should not be involved in assisting financially in such activities. Otherwise it would attract accusations, as it did in this case, that such funds or part of it was channelled back to the political party.
“We are unable to comprehend here as to why a contractor or an agent undertaking to stage a programme or to carry out a small project required the financial assistance of a political party to tide him over for the period while awaiting payment from the district office or land office. Surely anyone doing business should have capital of his own or should make arrangements for the same.”
‘None of the receipts were an exact match’
The commission also found that none of the receipts issued by DAP for the reimbursement of the monies advanced were an exact match to the amount reimbursed to DAP as listed out in the programme documentation.
Another shortcoming noted by the commission was the absence of quotations tendered prior to the approval of a programme.
“Though (the project and programme agent) Lee (Wye Wing) (second from right), who carried out projects and programmes funded under Ean Yong’s allocation,) confirmed that he had to work within the budget, there was no one to verify as to whether the goods and services supplied for the programme were of the value claimed.”
However, because of the non-availability of Teoh as an important witness and the explanation of Lee, MACC decided to stop the investigations.
The 'arrogant leader' in Teoh's interrogation
Nazri clarifies Teoh's 'weak character' remark
NGOs insist DAP's Teoh was murdered
MB: Selangor awaits legal opinion on RCI's findings
Koh: Three MACC panels to scrutinise RCI report
These weaknesses, although not proven as corruption or irregularities, would raise doubts and invite accusations, the commission said.
According to the 124-page report, contractors and suppliers for the small projects or programmes funded with state funds allocated to Selangor state exco member Ean Yong Hian Wah would request the payment first from the DAP, since the district office or land office would take one to two months to process their claims. Thus, when payment was finally received from the district office or land office, reimbursement had to be made to DAP.“We find this rather odd when the parties involved in this process were unable to exclude political parties from involvement in government projects. The allocation was from the budget of the state government.
“It was supposed to be spent for the residents living in a particular area in the state. A political party should not be involved in assisting financially in such activities. Otherwise it would attract accusations, as it did in this case, that such funds or part of it was channelled back to the political party.
“We are unable to comprehend here as to why a contractor or an agent undertaking to stage a programme or to carry out a small project required the financial assistance of a political party to tide him over for the period while awaiting payment from the district office or land office. Surely anyone doing business should have capital of his own or should make arrangements for the same.”
‘None of the receipts were an exact match’
The commission also found that none of the receipts issued by DAP for the reimbursement of the monies advanced were an exact match to the amount reimbursed to DAP as listed out in the programme documentation.
Another shortcoming noted by the commission was the absence of quotations tendered prior to the approval of a programme. “Though (the project and programme agent) Lee (Wye Wing) (second from right), who carried out projects and programmes funded under Ean Yong’s allocation,) confirmed that he had to work within the budget, there was no one to verify as to whether the goods and services supplied for the programme were of the value claimed.”
However, because of the non-availability of Teoh as an important witness and the explanation of Lee, MACC decided to stop the investigations.
The 'arrogant leader' in Teoh's interrogation
Nazri clarifies Teoh's 'weak character' remark
NGOs insist DAP's Teoh was murdered
MB: Selangor awaits legal opinion on RCI's findings
Koh: Three MACC panels to scrutinise RCI report
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