Billboard Scandal: Khir Toyo Hems And Haws, Blames His Officers.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Khir Toyo today (Aug 16, 2006) indicated heads will roll after admitting there were material differences between what the State Executive Council (Exco) approved and what his officers committed the governement to on the issue of billboards.
Promising an investigation into who and what caused the mess the state government has been caught in, he said: "I was not aware(!?!) of this (the discrepancy) until I received the agreement." What's next and will heads roll?
His retort: "We have to check. We have to see who the culprit is because at the Exco (meeting) it was stated clearly. When I chair a meeting, I remember (what was discussed) even after a year. That's why I am very confident when I say something.
"The Exco only made a decision on (pedestrian) bridges but when the agreement was signed, they added another thing - outdoor advertising."
Therefore, his starting point will be the letter of award sent by the State Economic Planning Unit dated Feb 28, 2004 which read: "Cadangan Penswastaaan Projek Penyelenggaraan dan Penajaan Pembinaan Jejentas Pejalan Kaki dan Pintu Gerbang Gantry Petunjuk Sempadan/Tanda arah Jalan di seluruh Negeri Selangor Darul Ehasan oleh Tetuan Bernam Kiara Sdn Bhd."
Although Mohd Khir said there is no monopoly, no open tenders were invited and neither was there any competitive bidding - only one company's proposal was accepted.
The letter to Bernam Kiara was signed by a senior officer Azizan Mohd Sidin and a copy was extended to exco member, Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Ahmad Dahlan. If there was something wrong, surely Mokhtar would have kicked up a ruckus.
The key phrases in the agreement committing the state government were "exclusive right(s) on first priority basis" and "manage and operate pedestrian walk ... overhead bridge and outdoor advertising".
The state's signatories to this contract were then state secretary Datuk Ramli Othman and his then deputy, Datuk Dr Abdul Munit Kasmin.
Mohd Khir said the Exco made a decision only on bridges, but outdoor advertising somehow entered the picture. It is a mystery why did these high-profile officers commit the state government to something the Exco did not approve.
For a change, the mentri besar did not say that theSun exco approved the deal. Instead, he said: "I agree with the report (in theSun) but it is not accurate." He maintained his stand - there is no monopoly. "Even if you say my statement was debunked by theSun, it is not right. We stopped the privatisation months back, in January," he said.
After it was discovered that the agreement did not correspond with the Exco decision, Mohd Khir said the project was halted because the company must follow the decision of the Exco.
"That's why now we have to discuss (and check) how this could have happened. We are very firm - there is no monopoly. Everybody can have their own signboard but they need to contribute to the state or to the local authorities. That is our position, we don't keep changing our word," he said.
"We encourage any company that wants to build bridges. 'Kalau theSun nak buat, we are willing'. We are very happy because the cost is very high. We have to build about 60 to 100 overhead bridges and we (will) stick to our decision. Build a new bridge and you can put up your billboards.
"Everybody can have their own signboards but they need to contribute to the state or the local authorities," he added. (The Sun)
**** Come off it!! Are you telling me that the MB is totally ignorant about all that goes on in such a hugely profitable venture? No way Jose! It's just that he has been caught with his sarong down by the Sun which produced irrefutable evidence and like all these bloody politicians, he straight away blamed the only chaps who won't dare rebut him - his officers. Do you think that he has the guts to take any action on these officers and risk getting exposed in court? Nothing is going to happen to any officer because they are not involved. The politicians are the ones in at least knee-deep shit. I hope the ACA or the PM will make them pay.
Promising an investigation into who and what caused the mess the state government has been caught in, he said: "I was not aware(!?!) of this (the discrepancy) until I received the agreement." What's next and will heads roll?
His retort: "We have to check. We have to see who the culprit is because at the Exco (meeting) it was stated clearly. When I chair a meeting, I remember (what was discussed) even after a year. That's why I am very confident when I say something.
"The Exco only made a decision on (pedestrian) bridges but when the agreement was signed, they added another thing - outdoor advertising."
Therefore, his starting point will be the letter of award sent by the State Economic Planning Unit dated Feb 28, 2004 which read: "Cadangan Penswastaaan Projek Penyelenggaraan dan Penajaan Pembinaan Jejentas Pejalan Kaki dan Pintu Gerbang Gantry Petunjuk Sempadan/Tanda arah Jalan di seluruh Negeri Selangor Darul Ehasan oleh Tetuan Bernam Kiara Sdn Bhd."
Although Mohd Khir said there is no monopoly, no open tenders were invited and neither was there any competitive bidding - only one company's proposal was accepted.
The letter to Bernam Kiara was signed by a senior officer Azizan Mohd Sidin and a copy was extended to exco member, Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Ahmad Dahlan. If there was something wrong, surely Mokhtar would have kicked up a ruckus.
The key phrases in the agreement committing the state government were "exclusive right(s) on first priority basis" and "manage and operate pedestrian walk ... overhead bridge and outdoor advertising".
The state's signatories to this contract were then state secretary Datuk Ramli Othman and his then deputy, Datuk Dr Abdul Munit Kasmin.
Mohd Khir said the Exco made a decision only on bridges, but outdoor advertising somehow entered the picture. It is a mystery why did these high-profile officers commit the state government to something the Exco did not approve.
For a change, the mentri besar did not say that theSun exco approved the deal. Instead, he said: "I agree with the report (in theSun) but it is not accurate." He maintained his stand - there is no monopoly. "Even if you say my statement was debunked by theSun, it is not right. We stopped the privatisation months back, in January," he said.
After it was discovered that the agreement did not correspond with the Exco decision, Mohd Khir said the project was halted because the company must follow the decision of the Exco.
"That's why now we have to discuss (and check) how this could have happened. We are very firm - there is no monopoly. Everybody can have their own signboard but they need to contribute to the state or to the local authorities. That is our position, we don't keep changing our word," he said.
"We encourage any company that wants to build bridges. 'Kalau theSun nak buat, we are willing'. We are very happy because the cost is very high. We have to build about 60 to 100 overhead bridges and we (will) stick to our decision. Build a new bridge and you can put up your billboards.
"Everybody can have their own signboards but they need to contribute to the state or the local authorities," he added. (The Sun)
**** Come off it!! Are you telling me that the MB is totally ignorant about all that goes on in such a hugely profitable venture? No way Jose! It's just that he has been caught with his sarong down by the Sun which produced irrefutable evidence and like all these bloody politicians, he straight away blamed the only chaps who won't dare rebut him - his officers. Do you think that he has the guts to take any action on these officers and risk getting exposed in court? Nothing is going to happen to any officer because they are not involved. The politicians are the ones in at least knee-deep shit. I hope the ACA or the PM will make them pay.
posted by The Malaysian. at 8/16/2006 07:25:00 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home