Yayasan Selangor general manager Ilham Marzuki wants to correct the situation that arose over the allegation that the cost of organising the foundation’s 40th anniversary celebration last year amounted to nearly RM1 million.

NONE During a press conference at the state assembly building in Shah Alam today, MB Abdul Khalid Ibrahim ( right ) confirmed that Ilham had not been sacked, but was given a second chance.

“He (Ilham) asked for a second chance to prove himself, and it is through his own initiative that he had requested for us not to increase his salary and cut his bonuses as penalties,” said Khalid, who is also the chairperson of the board.

When asked why only Ilham was given a chance and not the deputy general manager, Mohd Saifulruddin Sulaiman, Khalid replied that last week, a special board of directors meeting had agreed to terminate Mohd Saifulruddin’s contract as he failed to fulfil his responsibilities and maintain good financial management.

For now, Ilham has to work hard in proving to us that he is serious on correcting the situation. Only then will we lift the penalties, Khalid added.

Yayasan Selangor’s anniversary celebration, which was scheduled for November last year, was cancelled after the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, declined to attend the event after being informed of the actual cost for the ceremony.

Month-to-month extension for GM of PKNS

On a separate issue involving Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS) general manager Othman Omar, Khalid said an exco committee meeting was scheduled in two weeks’ time after the Sarawak state elections.

Othman is believed to have separated one big contract into smaller contracts in a bid to avoid the matter from coming to the knowledge of the PKNS board members.

Khalid then noted that the National Audit Department had estimated that RM30 million worth of telemarketing contracts had been signed by Othman without giving reasons.

“It was discovered that the contract was broken up and distributed to many contractors, so it would not exceed the RM500,000 PKNS par.

“This is because he (Othman) does not need to inform the PKNS board for any contract(s) that are under the RM500,00 par,” he added.

However, Khalid added that Othman was still under a two-year contract with PKNS.

“He is supposed to be confirmed in February, but because of the audit report, I will have to provide a month-to-month extension until everything is clear,” said Khalid.

Khalid also did not comment about whether or not Othman will be fired or forced to resign, as pressured by numerous parties, in particular Selangor Umno deputy liaison chief Noh Omar, who had demanded that Khalid reveal the audit reports on both PKNS and Yayasan Selangor after they became entangled in controversies over expenditure.