Melaka depts told to put off disposing documents

MELAKA: All Melaka state government departments and agencies have been advised to postpone the disposal of documents to avoid misunderstandings that could raise questions.

Kota Melaka member of parliament Khoo Poay Tiong said the move to dispose of documents could be misconstrued as hiding something and should be carried out after the appointment of the new executive council.

“It is (a) very sensitive issue. We know one of the agencies told to stop disposing documents is the Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB) as about 30 black plastic bags containing documents were heading for disposal yesterday (Monday).

“MBMB personnel told me that the documents to be disposed of were more than five years old, but our inspection found the documents were only three years old,” he said at Seri Bendahara, Ayer Keroh.

Khoo, who is Melaka DAP liaison committee secretary, said among the documents involved were from the MBMB Licensing and Health Department on Ramadan Bazaar rental rates.

“Therefore, to avoid any misunderstanding, state government departments and agencies have been told to delay the disposal of documents. I will meet Melaka Chief Minister Adly Zahari on issuing a directive.”

On Monday, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad ordered all ministries not to dispose or destroy any sensitive documents.

On another matter, Khoo said the state government would conduct investigations into unreasonable expenditure during the previous administration.

He said among the expenses which would be investigated was the upgrading and restoration of Seri Bendahara, the chief minister ’s official residence from 2013 to last year, which was believed to have exceeded RM2.2 million.