Negri Sembilan PAS members who had invested in the party's Koperasi Al-Hilal (Kohilal) can now turn to their respective divisions to report grouses over the loss of savings through botched investments.

State commissioner Dr Rosly Yaakob told malaysiakini that he directed all division heads to receive complaints with effect from last Sunday, and that the process will continue over the next couple of months.

The move is aimed at stemming the erosion of confidence among members who had invested - some heavily - in Kohilal between 1996 and 1999.

State officials, anxious about the extent of dissatisfaction, feel that this could affect the confidence of members in the party.

"We don't want them to feel that we (PAS leaders) don't care about their problems, in particular about the (loss of their) investments in Kohilal," said Rosly, an economist by training.

"If they feel neglected, there is nothing to stop them from abandoning the party. This is partly a way to show that we are looking after their interests. If Kohilal is a problem, then we will do all we can to help. Maybe this will boost their morale and support for the party."

Status sought

Rosly said that "quite a number" of members in Negri Sembilan had invested in Kohilal, but expects to receive about 60 complaints, mainly from those who had put in between RM5,000 and RM10,000 each.

"I think some may not want to raise the matter as they fear that it would put the party and the leaders in a bad light. Others have received returns on part of their investment and are satisfied."

He said most of the investors are from the middle-income group and include teachers, civil servants and clerks.

"These are people who do not usually put their savings into investments. They did so (this time) because they had confidence in Kohilal and felt that it could be trusted," Rosly said.

"To them, the sum invested is a considerable amount. They are not out for blood. They just want to know that their money is safe and that they can withdraw it whenever they need to."

He said PAS Negri Sembilan will compile the complaints and take it to the co-operative's management for action.

Rosly pointed out that the move to compile complaints was made despite the fact that certain party leaders are linked to the management of Kohilal.

Asked if he was aware this could ruffle feathers among top leaders, he said PAS is not in the business of taking care of individuals.

"PAS is in the business of telling the truth. This is what the party is all about. We don't fight for the interest of any individual but work for the betterment of the party as a whole. I don't think, committed members or leaders would find any fault in that."

Truth being verified

He also said that recording the complaints would stop "rumours and slander" from being circulated among members.

"We hear (it being said) here and there that there is bad management by certain leaders in Kohilal. We hear about people suffering financially, but they are faceless at present, " Rosly said.

"It makes it difficult for us to verify the truth. So, this time we intend to record everything. When allegations are made, these will have to be backed by proper documentation. The last thing we want to do is to spread fitnah (unfounded accusations)."

The issue of alleged mismanagement of Kohilal has cropped repeatedly during party meetings, including during the recent special convention.

Delegates expressed regret that leaders who were in charge of the co-operative when it blundered, have yet to concede their mistakes.

The dissatisfaction led to the mass resignation of Kohilal's directors chaired by Senator Hassan Shukri, now PAS deputy president, in June 2002. He had been at the helm of the co-operative since 1996.

When told that the current board of directors has disclaimed responsibility for the bad investments, Rosly said: "I am sure there is continuity of management between the previous board and the current one. The law provides for as much."

He expressed shock when told that the previous board had resigned en bloc last year, stating that such move should not have been allowed by the Co-operative Development Department.

"If this is true, then the department has not done its job properly. I know how co-operatives work, as I have been in charge of Bank Negara's co-operative unit. If they are responsible for the mistakes, we can sue them. We will certainly look into this matter."