HDC likely to sue opposition parties
KUCHING: Housing Development Corporation (HDC) is likely to take legal action against two opposition parties, which it claims to have distorted the facts concerning the corporation in the AuditorGeneral’s Report 2016.
HDC chairman Datuk Dr Abang Abdul Rauf Abang Zen said he would submit a private motion during the board of directors meeting next month regarding this matter.
“We will hold a full board meeting in September, where I will submit a private motion to the board to sue two opposition parties.
“They (opposition parties) have quoted from the AG Report but the facts have been distorted, which has aggravated the image of HDC and caused misunderstanding among the public,” he spoke during a press conference at the HDC in Wisma Sultan Tengah here yesterday, where HDC chief executive officer Mohd Asman Ahmad was also present.
Adding to Dr Abang Rauf, he has solid evidence and facts from the actual audit report as opposed to the statements made by the opposition parties, which has gone viral on social media.
He pointed out that financing for the projects mentioned in the AG Report came from the federal government; HDC was just in charge of opening tenders to contractors.
On a related matter, Dr Abang Rauf also assured the public that HDC would continue to assist in the investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on its staff members, following shortcomings raised in the AG Report 2016.
He said this assurance was in line with the ‘Akujanji’ (integrity pledge) made by HDC on its commitment to uphold transparency and accountability.
He confirmed that two HDC personnel were called to MACC office to assist in the investigation of the claims totalling RM11,969 for painting works on the PPR Project in Permyjaya, Miri.
A HDC engineer, 39, and its senior technician, 59, are now on a seven-day remand in connection with the case, relating to the failure of the contractor to carry out the tendered project in Miri.
Another two suspects detained in connection with the case are the main contractor and subcontractor appointed for the works.
According to a statement released by MACC on Thursday, the company which was awarded with the tender went on to subcontract it to another company belonging to another individual.
The MACC added that the company that received the tender award then made a claim of payment for RM11,969 from HDC last year, even though the job was never done.