PM: Those involved in land swap dealings will be probed

PUTRAJAYA: The police will investigate anyone, including former prime ministers, over the issue involving the Defence Ministry’s controversial land swap deals, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Prime Minister added that legal action will be taken against any civil servant or Cabinet minister incriminated in the ministry’s report on the deals.

He said the government is committed to expose any wrongdoing.

“Yes, the government can still take action and it is our intention to make the report on wrongdoings done in the past, whether or not the wrongdoer is here or no longer here. Legal action will be taken,” he told a press conference after chairing a special Cabinet committee on anti-corruption meeting here yesterday.

The Defence Ministry’s 59-page report on its controversial land swap deals was released on its website after minister Mohamad Sabu tabled it at the Dewan Negara last Thursday.

Dr Mahathir was asked to comment on reports that some of the projects had begun even though contracts were not signed and payments were made by officers who had already retired.

When asked that the then defence minister during his first tenure as prime minister was also involved in the land swap deal, Dr Mahathir said the police will investigate all individuals.

“Nobody is above the law,” he added.

A total of 2,933 acres (1,186ha) of land is involved in the 16 deals and some ownership of the lands have been transferred.

The land is said to be worth RM4.8bil and the cost of the projects RM4.9bil.

According to the ministry, no comprehensive due diligence was done on the companies involved, especially on their technical and financial capabilities, and this led to delays and failure of projects.

The committee suggested that the government take action against the officials and management involved in causing the losses.