In 2017, former Menteri Besar Perak, Dato’ Seri DiRaja Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir received the Nation-Building Brand Icon Leadership Award Game-Changer Icon by BrandLaureate. Parti Amanah Perak subsequently lodged a report with Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) requesting the agency to investigate the RM381,113.86 payment made by MB Inc to BrandLaureate Sdn Bhd prior to Zambry receiving the award in August 2017.
“I then received a letter of demand from BrandLaureate for highlighting the issue. However, being a lawyer, I was not afraid, as I can defend myself,” said Asmuni Awi to reporters following his Hari Raya open house on Saturday, June 23.
After making the report, Asmuni’s informer was harassed by MACC officers, instead. Now with a new government in Putrajaya and Ipoh, he is taking up the matter once more with MACC.
“Both Zambry and BrandLaureate didn’t say anything about the matter. I didn’t touch on the award or whether it can be bought by anyone. My question is why Menteri Besar Incorporated (MB Inc), a state-linked company, was made to pay using public money?” questioned Asmuni, the state Executive Councillor for Islamic Affairs, Islamic Education, Rural Development and Human Capital Development
Although he made the report last year, aside from the harassment his informer endured, the anti-corruption agency has yet to investigate his report.
Zambry did not respond directly to the allegation but described Parti Amanah Perak as “a bunch of political rats”.
“Like termites, they destroy and damage one place after another. These are cheap tactics employed by them to ruin my reputation,” said Zambry to reporters last year.
MB Inc was formed under the Menteri Besar Incorporated Enactment 1951. It is a state-linked company tasked to handle business ventures using the state’s resources. According to its website, MB Inc is also responsible “to bring sustainable growth and development for Perak under the Perak Amanjaya Transformation Plan”.
Beside MB Inc, Perak Corporation Berhad (PKNP) is similarly affected. Perak DAP chief, Nga Kor Ming has demanded that the entire Perak Corp management team resign for the loss of RM11.4 million in the first quarter of 2018.
Its group chief executive officer, Datuk Aminuddin Md Desa has resigned from his post.
Meanwhile, Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu, announced on June 24 the sacking of seven senior executives of a state-linked company. The reason – their remuneration packages were unwarranted and a waste of public funds.
“Their dismissals will save the state government RM1.6 million a year. The company didn’t make much profit but the overheads are too high. The officers’ employment is not necessary,” said Faizal. He will reveal their names once investigations are finalised.
Faizal added that there was no necessity to buy new cars for official use by the newly-appointed state executive councilors. The old staff cars are still serviceable. An auction to sell off cars owned by state-linked companies will be held soon as part of a cost-saving exercise.
Ili Aqilah
