Ungku Aziz disappointed over delay in probe
Published: Jan 9, 2009 3:11 AM | Updated: Jan 9, 2009 3:13 AM
A long delay in a probe into an alleged financial irregularity in the National Cooperative Organisation of Malaysia (Angkasa) was the reason for Royal Professor Ungku Abdul Aziz to resign as the president of the organisation.
A long delay in a probe into an alleged financial irregularity in the National Cooperative Organisation of Malaysia (Angkasa) was the reason for Royal Professor Ungku Abdul Aziz to resign as the president of the organisation.
He insisted that he was not pressured by anyone to give up the post which he had held since the inception of the organisation in 1971.
"This is one hundred per cent my own decision. Two months I have been thinking about it (to resign) and I see no way, except to resign," he was quoted as saying in Bernama today.
Ungku Aziz submitted his resignation from the post yesterday and also refused to accept nomination to the post at the organisation's annual meeting at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre on Saturday.
It was previously reported that alleged misappropriation of funds in Angkasa was being handed by the police and the Malaysia Cooperatives Commission (MCC). Investigations into the matter have yet to complete.
"They had plenty of time," said Ungku Aziz, referring to the MCC's investigations into the matter.
‘Where is the money going?'
The crisis in the organisation started when Ungku Aziz, who is the founder of Angkasa, was sacked as its president last year through a no-confidence vote, but it was only for 43 days when MMC ordered Angkasa to retain him to the post.
Ungku Aziz said investigations into alleged misappropriation in Angkasa should be conducted seriously as it involved transactions worth RM20 million.
"For example, a member applies for a RM60,000 loan to do a project or built a house, but because of abuse in the administration, the person only gets RM30,000 to RM40,000.
"Who takes the rest of the money and how is the money divided among them," he asked.
Ungku Aziz came under renewed pressure yesterday when former Land and Cooperatives Ministry secretary-general Yidris Abdullah urged the royal professor to step down.
Members unhappy
Yidris was reported as saying that recent developments had caused Angkasa members to feel betrayed because they were not informed of amendments to the Cooperatives Commission of Malaysia Act which were enforced on Jan 1 last year.
Angkasa was set up in 1971 to represent about 5,000 cooperatives with total membership of about six million and assets estimated at RM47 billion.
The cooperative had its first annual meeting on July 31, 1971 and Ungku Aziz was elected as its first president.
Ungku Aziz was expected to face a fight for the president's post this Saturday.
Both Yidris and former Pahang menteri besar Rahim Bakar had indicated their interest in the post.
Yidris was reported as saying that it was time for Ungku Aziz to step aside as he had been leading the organisation for a long time.
"It is time for change, and change must come from the top leadership. It is time for him to give way to young blood," he said yesterday.
More than 2,000 delegates will elect the new Angkasa leaders on Saturday.
Asked on what he was going to do after this, Ungku Aziz said, "I've resigned and it is final. Now it is up to MCC and the police to investigate the allegation".
He insisted that he was not pressured by anyone to give up the post which he had held since the inception of the organisation in 1971.
"This is one hundred per cent my own decision. Two months I have been thinking about it (to resign) and I see no way, except to resign," he was quoted as saying in Bernama today.Ungku Aziz submitted his resignation from the post yesterday and also refused to accept nomination to the post at the organisation's annual meeting at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre on Saturday.
It was previously reported that alleged misappropriation of funds in Angkasa was being handed by the police and the Malaysia Cooperatives Commission (MCC). Investigations into the matter have yet to complete.
"They had plenty of time," said Ungku Aziz, referring to the MCC's investigations into the matter.
‘Where is the money going?'
The crisis in the organisation started when Ungku Aziz, who is the founder of Angkasa, was sacked as its president last year through a no-confidence vote, but it was only for 43 days when MMC ordered Angkasa to retain him to the post.
Ungku Aziz said investigations into alleged misappropriation in Angkasa should be conducted seriously as it involved transactions worth RM20 million.
"For example, a member applies for a RM60,000 loan to do a project or built a house, but because of abuse in the administration, the person only gets RM30,000 to RM40,000.
"Who takes the rest of the money and how is the money divided among them," he asked.
Ungku Aziz came under renewed pressure yesterday when former Land and Cooperatives Ministry secretary-general Yidris Abdullah urged the royal professor to step down.
Members unhappy
Yidris was reported as saying that recent developments had caused Angkasa members to feel betrayed because they were not informed of amendments to the Cooperatives Commission of Malaysia Act which were enforced on Jan 1 last year.
Angkasa was set up in 1971 to represent about 5,000 cooperatives with total membership of about six million and assets estimated at RM47 billion.
The cooperative had its first annual meeting on July 31, 1971 and Ungku Aziz was elected as its first president.
Ungku Aziz was expected to face a fight for the president's post this Saturday.
Both Yidris and former Pahang menteri besar Rahim Bakar had indicated their interest in the post.
Yidris was reported as saying that it was time for Ungku Aziz to step aside as he had been leading the organisation for a long time.
"It is time for change, and change must come from the top leadership. It is time for him to give way to young blood," he said yesterday.
More than 2,000 delegates will elect the new Angkasa leaders on Saturday.
Asked on what he was going to do after this, Ungku Aziz said, "I've resigned and it is final. Now it is up to MCC and the police to investigate the allegation".
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