A number of axed Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) contract staff want the menteri besar to explain why cases of corruption and disciplinary matters referred to him were never acted on.

Former PKNS Holdings Sdn Bhd (PHSB)'s marketing division head Alif Aiman ( right ) said former PKNS general manager Othman Omar had in 2011 and 2012 informed Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim himself about  the cases.

Alif was referring to Khalid’s statement yesterday that part of the reason behind the termination of more than 20 staff of the PKNS subsidiary was based on complaints from PKNS " whistleblowers ".

In a statement on behalf of the group of sacked PHSB staff, Alif questioned whether PKNS was aware of the fact that the whistleblowers, who he claimed to be two PKNS officers, were allegedly being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

"The ludicrous allegations from non-credible whistleblowers were taken action upon swiftly, without carrying out the necessary investigations fairly and impartially.

"At the same time, the many disciplinary issues and corruption cases implicated on these whistleblowers were shut with no further action. Talk about a transparent and accountable government,” the statement reads.

Aside from addressing the allegations on corruption, the group also wants Khalid to:

  • Explain the roles played by his own press secretary Arfa Aziz and former political secretary and current MB Incorporated CEO Faekah Husin in the termination, along with the new PKNS general manager Azlan Alifiah, deputy GM Noraidah Yusof and PHSB chairperson Norazlina Zakaria;

 

  • Explain the true reasons behind the sudden termination of the contract staff;

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  • Explain why the termination of services were not done according to procedures and due process;

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  • Explain whether there had been any political recommendation from any PKNS board member or politician on the appointment of the contract staff;

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  • Reveal the full contents of the corporate restructuring report that recommended the dismissal of the contract staff; and

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  • Reveal the detailed costs of employing the staff concerned and their travelling claims, and compare that with the PKNS’ breakdown costs on the same.

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    Compensate 'suffering' caused

    The former PHSB staff, who Alif claimed are all professionals devoid of any political interest, are claiming they were made victims of Khalid’s “political battles” in the state.

    He was referring to the ouster of PKR deputy president Azmin Ali ( left ), long seen as Khalid’s rival, from the PKNS board of directors .

    As such, they are demanding that their jobs be restored, immediately.

    They also want a full apology, accompanied by “appropriate compensation for the suffering, mental anguish and embarrassment inflicted”, and for the state-linked company to honour any promises of promotion it may have made to the former staff.

    On Tuesday, PHSB terminated their contracts on grounds of “ redundancies ” discovered following a restructuring exercise.

    However, Alif today claimed the staff were not even accorded a 24-hour notice, but were terminated with “immediate effect”, which went against their terms of employment.

    They were also not paid any compensation, he said, “save a promise that they would be paid later”.