SHAH ALAM, May 31 — Umno’s Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo has charged that Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB) should be closed down because its function to regulate sand mining in Selangor overlapped with the jurisdiction of the state’s Land Office.
The state-owned sand-mining concessionaire is now mired in graft allegations from within Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s PKR, prompting investigations by various authorities.
“It is wrong in the eyes of the law,” Khir told The Malaysian Insider. The former Selangor mentri besar said the sand-mining company was a monopoly, which resulted in loss of revenue.
“KSSB is like a middle-man which subcontracts the work to other companies and that’s why there’s corruption.”
He was not surprised that KSSB had not come close to meeting its RM100 million revenue target, which was forecasted by the state.
The opposition leader believed Selangor should revert back to the old system where approval for sand mining was authorised by Land Office and the state executive council.
He alleged that illegal sand mining was now being carried out by “gangsters with political links” but declined to elaborate.
“The state should step up enforcement to curb illegal sand mining.”
Khir also joined the chorus of politicians calling for a probe on KSSB following graft allegations by Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam recently.
The PKR MP caused a stir within his own party for raising the allegations in the press rather than using internal party channels to solve the issue.
However, this was not the first time allegations of graft have been levelled against KSSB.
During state assembly sittings in July and November last year, Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman Azmin Ali has raised similar concerns.
The Selangor backbenchers chairman and PKR whip said the KSSB monopoly over sand mining in Selangor should be broken to encourage competition.
Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim had also suggested that the state gives the KSSB management a deadline to shape up, failing which subsidiary would be reorganised.
The DAP state lawmaker had also alleged he knew the identities of KSSB officers who were collaborating with sand thieves.
The state government has enlisted Selangor’s Select Committee for Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) to probe the latest allegations.
The state watchdog is scheduled to hold a public inquiry on KSSB from this Wednesday to Friday.
But Khir has expressed scepticism on Selcat’s ability to carry out a transparent investigation.
He said the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should move in.
It is understood that the MACC has started its own investigation.
But others believe Selcat should be given opportunity to determine if there was indeed corruption or mismanagement in KSSB.
“In fact, I believe Selcat’s investigations should be expanded to find out why KSSB had failed to meet its forecasted revenue targets,” said Klang MP Charles Santiago.
Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/
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