GIVE US THE WHOLE TRUTH, YBK: STATE GOVERNMENT

PRESS STATEMENT

JANUARY 15, 2010

GIVE US THE WHOLE TRUTH, YBK: STATE GOVERNMENT

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor Government calls on Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan (YBK) to tell the public on all the fund and resources that it has received from the state since its inception.

The financial reports of YBK which was posted on its official website do not truly reflect the extent of the support that the state has given to the organization.

“We are aware of the financial reports posted on the website. But they have no details on the assets and fund given to it by the state. That is why we want it to be analysed and re-stated,” said Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

The Menteri Besar noted that none of the reports had mentioned the the 1,300-acre plot of land in Serendah which is worth at least RM78 million (computed at RM60,000 per acre). “The land is a valuable award to the YBK but it was not mentioned in the accounts. This is just one example. So we call on YBK to be transparent and provide the whole truth.”

He also pointed out that YBK has not paid a single sen for the land since 2001 and it has not made any attempt to do so. It had only approached the state when it wanted to covert the status of the land from agriculture to that to residential and commercial.

Upon conversion, the land will be valued at least RM540 million (computed at RM10 per square foot). “For a land that is worth so much, it is quite unnatural for the state not to be concerned. The previous administration may not be concerned but Pakatan Rakyat cannot turn its back on the issue because it is responsible to every single sen of the rakyat’s money,” said Tan Sri Khalid.

He said as the people’s trustee to the state’s wealth and fund, the State Government must not only be transparent and accountable but also ensure that all decision and actions are beneficial to the people in line with its “Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor” policy.

The Menteri Besar also reiterated the state’s plan to issue a “white paper” detailing funds and resources it has provided to YBK in the past years.

The State Government had earlier requested for YBK to appoint the Selangor Menteri Besar as its chairman while the State’s EXCO for welfare be a trustee of the foundation, along with two other state government representatives. However, YBK has protested against the requests.

PRESS SECRETARIAT

SELANGOR MENTERI BESAR OFFICE