Ex-home minister says unaware of sponsored police trips during his time
Former home minister Hishammuddin Hussien said he was not aware of the Totalisator Board approving private-sector sponsored trips for senior police officers during his time.
“Personally, I do not know about this and if at all it happened, then it wasn't brought up to my level,” he said when met Taman Jenaris, Semenyih while campaigning BN's candidate Zakaria Hanafi for the upcoming Semenyih by-election.
Former home minister Hishammuddin Hussien said he was not aware of the Totalisator Board approving private-sector sponsored trips for senior police officers during his time.
“Personally, I do not know about this and if at all it happened, then it wasn't brought up to my level,” he said when met Taman Jenaris, Semenyih while campaigning (below) for BN's candidate Zakaria Hanafi for the upcoming Semenyih by-election.
He was asked to comment on the revelation by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng that a study trip (above) to Istanbul, Turkey for top-ranking police officers recent had been sponsored by gaming company Da Ma Cai.
"If it is indeed true (that the trip was funded by gambling proceeds), then it is not right because the person who funded the trip has an interest," said Hishammuddin, adding an explanation should be provided.
The Istanbul trip by the top police officers became an issue with Umno and PAS leaders criticising the source of the trip's funding which covered business class flights and luxury accommodation.
Lim also pointed out the Totalisator Board which approved the trip for which the green light was given by current Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, had also approved three other such police trips overseas during the Najib administration.
To this, Hishammuddin said: “But now they (Pakatan Harapan) are ruling. Why refer to past trips? If you say the previous government approved them, then they are a lot of things the previous government approved.
“What is Lim trying to cover up by blaming us?” asked Hishammuddin who was home minister from 2009 to 2013.
Lim said the Totalisator Board had approved a total of RM69,763 for an overseas police trip in June 2012 , RM95,040 for a trip in June 2013 and RM128,400 in May 2014.
He said the trip to Turkey was actually approved in November 2017 when BN was still the government, adding the Totalisator Board did not run its decisions past the Finance Ministry.
According to notes provided by the ministry, following the government’s withdrawal from gaming operation, such ventures run by the Malaysia Totalisator Board were privatised to gaming company Da Mai Cai in 1991.
As a result of the privatisation, the board currently received five percent of Da Ma Cai's net profits, with an average of RM9 million per year.
They also receive RM10 million from agents annually as well as RM6 million in annual royalties from telephone betting.
The board also receives funds from rental proceeds and fixed deposit interests.
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