Chua challenges MB to debate

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 15, 2012): MCA Young Professionals Bureau chairman Datuk Chua Tee Yong today challenged Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to a debate on the debt recovery exercise involving Talam Corporation Sdn Bhd.

At a press conference at Wisma MCA yesterday, Chua revealed a document dated July 14 2009, where Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) directs state agencies – Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad, Pendidikan Industries YS Sdn Bhd and Kumpulan Hartanah Selangor Berhad to terminate their previous agreements with Talam, and enter into a new global settlement with the Company.

"The document clearly shows that the state was aware of the settlement agreements between the state agencies and Talam.

This shows that the state had misled the public when they said that all these debts are hidden, and that there was no attempt by the previous state administration to recover the debts.
Chua also asked Selangor to explain some of the assets accepted from Talam as part of the settlement.

Meanwhile, Selangor state exco member Teresa Kok in a statement issued on Tuesday said that three pieces of land in Danau Putra were bought at RM15 per sq ft as part of the global settlement with Talam. Two of these were sold, while the other was auctioned off by Bangkok Bank at RM5.20 per sq ft.

"Talam has taken legal action against the bank over the sale of the land, and the Selangor government intervened in the suit. They (Talam) promised to refund the amount concerned to the Selangor government if they lost the suit," she said.

Chua said, Kok's statement did not disclose any information on how the state government evaluates each asset through the state's Valuation Property Service Department. "Land transactions are eligible for disclosure under Selangor's Freedom of Information Act. She's not answering my queries," he said.