MACC STEPS INTO GATCO AFFAIR
THE graft-busters are forming a committee to investigate complaints by Kampung Serampang Indah villagers on the sale of ‘their land’. The MACC chief commissioner says the Negri Sembilan issue goes back 40 years; hence it will take some time to get to the
THE Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) is zeroing in on the Gatco plantation issue. Chief Commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad said MACC would form a special committee to investigate complaints by residents of Gatco, now renamed as Kampung Serampang Indah, over the matter.
He said the committee would study the documents in the report lodged by the Gatco Settlers Action Committee at the commission’s office in Putrajaya last Wednesday.
“It happened 40 years ago and we will need some time to study the documents and police report. If there is a basis (for investigation), MACC will take follow-up action to protect the rights of the Gatco settlers,” he said.
Dzulkifli said this after meeting residents of Gatco here yesterday.
Present was Jelebu MIC chairman R. Ravi, who submitted more than 150 documents pertaining to the Gatco land sale to Dzulkifli.
Dzulkifli said although the Gatco issue had been brought to court following a civil suit filed by residents, it would not prevent MACC from conducting its investigation to determine if there were elements of corruption, power abuse or misappropriation.
Dzulkifli said the issue had been prolonged and it was time MACC gave it the attention it deserved.
He, however, cautioned that it would take time, as the task force needed to examine all aspects of the land deal.
“Once the study is completed and there is justification for MACC to open an investigation paper, we will investigate whether there were elements of abuse of power and corruption.”
The Gatco land was previously a sugarcane plantation owned by Syarikat Gula Negeri Sembilan. Following the closure of the company, 2,000ha of land were given to the Negri Sembilan Development Corporation (PKNNS) on a 99-year lease. In 1977, PKNNS leased the land to The Great Allonioners Trading Corporation Bhd (Gatco) for 66 years.
Gatco turned it into a land scheme and brought in settlers, who were offered between RM4,000 and RM7,000 for a housing site and a 4ha plantation.
Gatco planned to develop the area into a rubber plantation, but due to financial constraints, the land, which was mortgaged to the bank, was taken over by Danaharta, and at an auction in 2007, was bought by Thamarai Holdings.