Umno turns retreat into resort to make money

SM Amin SM Amin Updated 7 years ago · Published on 27 Dec 2018 7:00AM · 8 Comments

Cash-strapped Umno will open its retreat in Janda Baik for public use as the party seeks to keep itself afloat after GE14. – The Malaysian Insight pic Hasnoor Hussain, December 27, 2018.

COME next March, anyone can book the Umno leadership retreat in Janda Baik, as the party seeks to keep financially afloat after its historic May 9 electoral defeat.

Now short of funds and access to more, Umno has decided to open the doors of its Institut Latihan Memperkasa Ummah (Ilmu) to the public and companies to hold retreats or team building programmes.

Putrade Property Management Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Shamsul Kamar Ahmad said it will most likely be called the Ilmu Resort.

“We have just taken over the place and need some time to renovate and refurbish the place. We should be for business in March,” he told The Malaysian Insight at the site recently.

Putrade Property Management Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Shamsul Kamar Ahmad says the Umno retreat will most likely be open in March after completing refurbishment works. – The Malaysian Insight pic Hasnoor Hussain, December 27, 2018.

The centre had been used since it was built as a political training school for the party and its officials.

It was exclusive for Umno’s use only and was never rented out to outsiders before.

The Malaysian Insight was made to understand the last time it was used was for a retreat by the party’s Youth wing in October.

Shamsul said before Putrade took over, Ilmu was managed by Umno .

A sign at Janda Baik showing the way to Umno's Ilmu retreat, where the party had traditionally held party training sessions. – The Malaysian Insight pic Hasnoor Hussain, December 27, 2018.

“This place is suitable as a resort and for corporate retreats. There are already meeting rooms and halls.

“There is a range of accommodation also. We have dormitories and can cater for budgets of schools and universities. It’s suitable for schools and universities for team building activities,” he said.

Since losing the 14th general election, Umno has found itself in a financial spot as investigations by enforcement agencies have seen its accounts frozen, leaving it facing difficulty to carry out party activities.

To overcome this credit crunch, the party has been restructuring its companies.

Locals in the area view the change in status to the training centre positively.

A general view of the Ilmu retreat in Janda Baik. Locals say opening up the retreat for public use may be beneficial to the local community. – The Malaysian Insight pic Hasnoor Hussain, December 27, 2018.

“Ilmu has a big hall and a lot of parking spots. It will be convenient for us to hold marriage events or even a feast (kenduri).

“It will also create new business opportunities for those in the food business. When the Umno people came they all stayed in Ilmu and did not come out. After their programmes finished they just left. We did not benefit in any way,” said Mohd Jafri Ibrahim, who runs a convenience store nearby.

Mohd Zahir Ibrahim, 62, said turning ILMU into a resort is not going to affect the chalets run by locals in Janda Baik.

“This resort will help meet the accommodation demands in the area. Currently it’s difficult to get chalets during the holiday season. The additional rooms will be a boon to tourism here,” he said. – December 27, 2018.

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Comments

  • WoW !! Looks like Heaven on Earth

    Posted 7 years ago by Jon Lang · Reply

  • Kaya betul! Tetapi kocek rakyat selalu kosong.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Habis harta negara dia godam.......

    Posted 7 years ago by Azis Yusoff · Reply

  • UMNO is not just cash strapped, it is not appropriate for it to access it hidden billions stashed away overseas for this eventuality. It is time Pakatan forms a committee to look into UMNO assets stashed overseas.

    Posted 7 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply

  • Save it!!!

    Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • Gadaikan la.

    Posted 7 years ago by Awang Bilis · Reply

  • Yes, it is time PH looks into the funds, especially the corruption kind, stashed away here and there. May be even offer certain % as reward for information. Take a closer look at the life styles of some retired top civil servants other officials in the country. In 1980, after almost two decades as a teacher, when I bought my first new samall Toyota car, I had to explain to Income Tax where I got the money to buy a car. Make life a bit difficult for those with stashed money

    Posted 7 years ago by Citizen Pencen · Reply

  • Yes, it is time PH looks into the funds, especially the corruption kind, stashed away here and there. May be even offer certain % as reward for information. Take a closer look at the life styles of some retired top civil servants and other officials in the country. In 1980, after almost two decades as a teacher, when I bought my first new small Toyota car, I had to explain to Income Tax where I got the money to buy a car. Make life a bit difficult for those with stashed money.

    Posted 7 years ago by Citizen Pencen · Reply