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Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Raiders of public coffers – Raja Bahrin

Image result for Lembaga Tabung HajiImage result for FeldaImage result for Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara)

What do pilgrims fund Lembaga Tabung Haji, Retirement Fund Incorporated, plantation operator Felda and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) have in common? They are institutions set up to look after the relatively poor and needy. What else do they have in common? Lately they have all been in the news for having their coffers raided and interests compromised by the very ones appointed by the government to look after them.
It is the classic case of “harapkan pagar, pagar makan padi” plus and added strong dosage of “closing one’s eye” by the higher authorities that appointed them. The list goes:
1) Tabung Haji was earlier reported for the controversial purchase of land in Sungai Besi from state investment arm 1Malaysia Development Berhad at RM2,774psf when it was only obtained from government at RM65psf. Although the chairman said it would be sold for profit after two weeks, two months later the silence on the sale is deafening.

3) Felda was involved in a prestigious £100 million purchase of a London hotel with the son of a very senior manager involved in the transaction. On public complaints, the authorities did not find anything worth pursuing, not even the obvious conflict of interests through father and son relations.
4) And the latest: Mara’s purchase of property in Melbourne, Dudley House, for student accommodation. Again involving the son of some senior officer. Mara actually paid RM65.3 million and according to the report by The Age, the difference of RM13.8 million overpaid was instructed to be paid to an account in Singapore to "grease palms" overseas!
The questions we taxpayers like to know are how are the chairmen, directors and senior managements of these establishments appointed? Is professional background, integrity and sound track record worth any consideration? Or is political affiliations and influence of paramount importance?
Of course, in all the dealings, especially the Felda and Mara case, a Datuk of some influence is a key figure and while he is at it, why not drag his sons for some on-job training. Junior would one day perhaps be a future Datuk and inherits daddy’s talents and influence at making deals. This is how future budding Bumiputera corporate figures are groomed by daddy.
The rural Malays who rely on Mara , Felda, Tabung Haji and Retirement Fund Incorporated are from the middle- and lower-income groups staunchly supporting the present government.
As if plundering the Finance Ministry is not enough, or maybe it is close to empty, the coffers of these poor folks are being raided, too.
Integrity, good governance and conscience are no longer in the vocabulary or in the thoughts of these thieves who know no shame. They not only cheat and steal from their own race but they also have no qualms robbing the poorest of the Felda and Mara Bumiputera hopefuls, as well as the elderly Tabung Haji depositors whose life savings is everything for them to make the journey to Mecca. How much lower can we go?
While the political masters continue to propose awards upon awards to these high office bearers, they continue to plunder and milk the nation dry.
When will we ever learn and when will it ever stop? The nation has to wake up immediately unless we want this nightmare to continue! We have no one else to blame except ourselves for the bleak and horrific future of our children and grandchildren, if the nations last that long! 
*Datuk Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad is Kuala Terengganu MP.

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