Koperasi Rela Malaysia Bhd (KRMB) - Where Is The RM5 Million You Stole?

17,000 Rela members nationwide, have been left in the lurch by the management of Koperasi Rela Malaysia Bhd (KRMB). It emerged yesterday that the members, who had bought shares between RM100 and RM10,000 each, totalling more than RM5 million, have been left in the dark by KRMB over their investment status. To compound matters, KRMB’s honorary secretary has gone missing. The co-operative has also been suspended.

KRMB had been suspended and replaced by a new co-operative, Koperasi Ikatan Relawan Malaysia Berhad. The KRMB’s management left much to be desired. There was no representative from the Rela headquarters and it was also not monitored. There was zero communication between it and the headquarters.

The former Rela director-general Datuk Mahadi Arshad, who retired early this year said, “I tried to help. But, the (co-operative) management was not helpful. I also lodged a report with the Co-operative Department but they could not do much.” Mahadi, however, could not determine the total amount of investment involved. He also refused to confirm whether it is case of embezzlement. “The co-op was run independently and the problem was a long-standing one,” he said.

His successor, Datuk Zaidon Asmuni, could not be reached for comments yesterday.

**** I find it really very, very hard to believe that when the DG of Rela inquires about something from the Rela co-operative, the management is 'unhelpful'! How can that be? How much higher must a poor Rela member go to get some answers? The Prime Minister? There is definitely hanky panky that has gone on and a lot of big shots are involved who just 'close one eye'. ('Close one eye' and 'Semuanya OK' are becoming Malaysian catch phrases!).

The new DG is a smart cat. 'Better to keep out if this shit,' he probably thought and has remained incommunicado till now. But the old fella has to answer for all the sufferings of these Rela members. Imagine the difficulty with which they must have obtained the money and the hopes they would have had in 'investing' with this Co-operative. All for nought. Some criminal or criminals have swallowed the whole lot and still walk as free men. I wonder how many of them have been given state or federal honours since this cheating escapade.

The MCA is trying to help them. The case was brought to the attention of Deputy Home Affairs Minister Datuk Tan Chai Ho yesterday by MCA Public Services and Complaint Department head Datuk Michael Chong after four KRMB members had approached the latter for help.

Let us hope for the sake of these members that the crooks are brought to book and their hard earned money is returned to them at the earliest.

****For a full report see today's Malay Mail.