MACC calls up Tengku Adnan 12 times over land transactions

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said yesterday the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) has called him up 12 times to provide information on Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) land transactions under the previous government administration.

Tengku Adnan (BN-Putrajaya) said in the Dewan Rakyat that he had nothing to do with the approval for sale of land in the federal territory during his term as the minister.

“When I took over the (Federal Territories) ministry in 2013, I handed over land matters to the Prime Minister’s Department. I had nothing to do with any approval concerning land in the federal territory.

“Many people say that I was not called up by the MACC. Actually, I was called up 12 times and I provided them with whatever information I had,” he told the House. Tengku Adnan gave the explanation before directing a supplementary question at Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad, asking how much land has been given out in the name of DBKL when he (Tengku Adnan) was the minister.

Replying to the question, Khalid said he has to admit that several pieces of land originally under the Land and Mines Office have been transferred to DBKL and sold by DBKL to provide revenue for the local authority.

“However, that does not deny the fact that from the outcome of negotiations, we have earned a surplus of RM149 million, which is clear proof that the land was sold at a cheaper price.

“We admit that not only DBKL and the Federal Territories Ministry were involved, but the executive councilor in charge of land was involved. We know that Putrajaya (Tengku Adnan) was not involved, but we have to admit that transactions have been made without following procedures.

“It is unnecessary for us to point fingers in the House. We at the ministry and DBKL will give full support to the MACC to expose what has happened so that the people know,” he said.

Earlier, Khalid said the ministry has yet to receive any latest information from the MACC on the probe into 97 doubtful transactions involving the sale of DBKL land under the previous government administration.

The ministry only received a letter dated Aug 7 from the MACC informing that DBKL can proceed with the approval and not postpone any longer the transactions because they do not interfere with the MACC investigation, he said.