MCA has called on Selangor MB Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to release its White Paper on Talam Corporation Sdn Bhd’s debts to the state, that the latter had promised by the end of 2010.

“The menteri besar had given a commitment to the public at the state assembly to release the White Paper in 2010.

NONE “But two years have passed and no White Paper is in sight. Now that the MCA member of parliament for Labis has raised the topic, we have been informed to wait until the Selangor state Budget 2013,” said MCA Kuala Kubu Baru state assemblyperson Wong Koon Mun ( left ).

Wong, who is also MCA Selangor liaison committee secretary, insinuated that the delay was a move to cover up “some information” but did not elaborate.

“This delay suggests the state government is trying to hide some internal information,” he said in a statement today.

In a separate statement, MCA central committee member Loh Seng Kok also urged the Selangor state government to release the White Paper, saying, “If the state government is so confident that the Labis member of Parliament’s claims are wrong, they should then table the White Paper as it is the most efficient way to prove who is right or wrong.”

Yesterday, Bernama reported Khalid saying he will not comment on the Talam case until MCA details its allegation of a RM1 billion scandal involving the deal.

To date MCA has not responded to DAP MP Tony Pua’s explanations on the so-called expose, that the latter has called a " mega-blunder ".

MCA young professionals bureau chief Chua Tee Yong, who first raised the alleged RM1 billion “questionable deals” involving the development company, has explained that he is awaiting “further information” .

Purchase of land 'puzzling'

Wong also singled out the state government’s purchase of the Bestari Jaya land at RM42 million above market value as part of the debt restructuring exercise, calling the move “puzzling”.

“The Selangor state government should be accountable and respond to questions raised by MCA, rather than threatening to sue our party in a lame attempt to divert attention,” he said.

Chua had initially claimed that the Selangor state government had paid RM266 million to bail out Talam.

After it was established that the RM266 million was actually liabilities to the bank that the state government had to shoulder, Chua zeroed in on the one piece of land in Bestari Jaya, claiming that the state government had overpaid for the land by RM42 million.

However, DAP national publicity chief Tony Pua charged that the total valuation for all 13 properties surrendered by Talam should be taken into consideration for the debt restructuring exercise.

In total, he pointed out, the Selangor government actually obtained the 13 parcels of land at a RM9.1 million discount.