KHALID Abdul Samad today defended Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan (YWP) and his role as chairman, saying he does not need Putrajaya’s mandate to head the foundation.

The Federal Territories minister said his appointment as YWP chairman was made in accordance with its memorandum of articles.

“Article 22 clearly states that the chairman of the foundation must be the (Federal Territories) minister,” he told reporters after an event in Kuala Lumpur.

He added that there are no political elements in the appointment of YWP’s board of trustees.

“There is no conflict of interest in these appointments. Their task is to look for funds for the foundation, so that we can carry out welfare programmes for the people of Kuala Lumpur.”

YWP, which acts as the ministry’s welfare arm, helps boost the socio-economic standing of the low-income group by generating its own funding through joint-venture developments with the private sector and selling land.

Civil society groups have criticised Khalid over the appointment of Pakatan Harapan politicians as YWP trustees, saying it is no different from the practice of the previous Barisan Nasional administration.

The foundation’s new trustees were appointed by Khalid in February.

Kuala Lumpur Mayor Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan is on the board, as are top civil servants from the Housing and Local Government, and Federal Territories Ministries, and Welfare Department, among others, and grassroots leaders of PH components.

The party members are Seputeh Bersatu division chief Mohamad Riadz Mohamad Hashim, Sembrong PKR coordinator Onn Abu Bakar, Federal Territories Amanah vice-chairman Ahmad Zamri Asa’ad Khuzaimi, and DAP lawyer and former USJ Taipan branch pro tem vice-chairman Muhammad Khairil Khalid.

YWP has also come under fire from Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh for pushing ahead with the Taman Rimba Kiara development project.

Khalid said the foundation now is different from when it was “abused” by the previous government.

“The foundation has no political interests, or personal interests for anyone in it. We work in a transparent and open manner.” – June 11, 2019.