Poser over obscure firm's RM4 bil 'donation'

Claims by an obscure company purporting to be involved in an incredulous RM1.06 trillion development project in northern Malaysia has PAS leaders scratching their heads over the alleged magnanimity of the corporation to the Islamist party.

Earlier this week, I'da World Group Sdn Bhd executive chairperson Abdul Rahim Abdul Wahab was reported to have handed over a RM4 billion mock cheque to Nik Din Nik Mat, the younger brother of Kelantan MB Nik Abdul Aziz, during a function at a five-star hotel in the state.

According to a Harakahdaily report, Nik Din said his presence at the mock cheque-giving ceremony on Sunday was in his personal capacity subsequent to receiving the invitation out the blue from organisers of the event.

Several newspapers on Tuesday carried photographs of Nik Din receiving the mock cheque - written out to Parti Islam Semalaysia (PAS) - from Abdul Rahim.

The contribution was said to be aimed at boosting the state’s infrastructure-building efforts.  

Kelantan PAS liaison committee secretary Mohd Zaki Ibrahim, however, said the committee had never been informed about the contribution nor of the development plans allegedly headed by I’da World.

“The (state) liaison body has never received any invitation to the said dinner (hosted) by the company. This is nothing more than a joke as the state government has never received any project proposal.

"Kelantan PAS liaison denies any connection with the said company. We don’t even know who is owners are," Zaki was quoted as saying.

'Investigate 'contribution'

He was responding to calls by Umno leaders, namely Puteri Umno chief Rosnah Abdul Rashid ( right ) and Kelantan Umno Youth chief Anuar Safian, for the alleged RM4 billion contribution to be probed by the authorities.

Kelantan Umno Youth today had lodged a police report to ask the police to initiate an investigation into I'DA.

Its information chief Che Othman Che Wil, together with 20 Umno supporters, lodged the report at Kota Baharu police station at 3.30pm.

He said youth movement wanted the police to probe into the implementation of the super mega projects claimed by the company through its massive donation.

"Umno Youth would also like to ask the authorities to pay serious attention and investigate the matter thoroughly as the amount of the donation is doubtful," he was reported by Bernama as saying.

He said the donation had also raised reasonable doubt as it was feared to have contained elements of corruption.

Blacklisted

Following the announcement of the donation, the state government had also started blacklisting companies which they believed had personal agendas in the state.

Meanwhile, PAS vice-president Salahudin Ayub ( above, left ) said in a statement that PAS denies the donation.

“I deny that PAS has received a cheque of that large an amount or a contribution of RM4 billion from this company. PAS also does not know about this Kelantan-based company.

“After checking with Kelantan PAS, I have also found that PAS and the Kelantan government had never received any application from this company for any development project there.

“In that connection, we see the spreading of such news as negative propaganda to destroy PAS’ reputation.

“I call on all PAS members as to be careful on this issue, which (has been brought up) clearly to associate PAS with unhealthy activities,” said Salahudin.

In a related development, Nik Abdul Aziz said I'da has no project in the state nor any relations with the Kelantan government.

“I did not send any representative to receive any cheque. Media (reports) claiming the receiver represented me is just nonsense,” Harakahdaily reported him as saying this afternoon.

Nik Aziz said further that the company had been blacklisted.

'RM1.6 trillion projects?

The menteri besar, who is also PAS’ spiritual leader, said that the owner of I’da World Group had indeed met him in his home and office.

Those meetings were not, however, over the appointment of any representative for the purpose of the mock cheque-giving ceremony earlier this week.

However, a check with I’da World Group’s website found the company had posted scanned images of letters apparently from the Kelantan Economic Planning Unit (Upen) acknowledging receipt of the company’s proposal to build a feeder port in Tumpat Kelantan.

It had also posted pictures of its senior officials meeting Nik Aziz at his home and office.

I’da had also posted various news reports reporting its pledges to contribute billions of ringgit for the success of Najib Abdul Razak’s '1Malaysia' concept.

There were also reports of I'da executive chairperson Abdul Rahim claiming to have plans for projects worth RM1.06 trillion in the states of Kedah, Perlis and Kelantan.