THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should close shop if it is not able to find any element of wrongdoing in the Taman Rimba Kiara case, which is clearly marred by elements of illegality, said Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh.

Yeoh said in its report submitted to the anti-graft agency, the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) clearly mapped out the element of conflict of interest.

“This is a serious conflict of interest. The MACC cannot say this is nothing wrong. If this is nothing wrong, then everyone else in this new government will be doing the same thing,” said the deputy women, family and community development minister.

“If this is nothing wrong, the MACC might as well close shop.”

According to C4, Yayasan Wilayah Perseketuan’s joint venture partner for the redevelopment, Memang Perkasa Sdn Bhd, is linked to former federal territories minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor via his business associate Rosmanira Junoh.

Rosmanira was a director of Memang Perkasa between 2014 and 2016.

The project was to be undertaken by a joint venture between Malton Bhd’s subsidiary Memang Perkasa and Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan that was chaired by Tengku Adnan.

C4 also said Rosmanira had previously served as a director and shareholder of four other companies linked to Malton Bhd.

Besides conflict of interest, the project was not awarded through an open tender.

On whether the old contract has to be honoured if element of illegality can be proven, Yeoh, who is a lawyer by training, said this is for the attorney-general to determine.

“There was no open tender; the Cabinet gave the land to Yayasan (Wilayah Persekutuan). Now, remember, Tengku Adnan was a minister (at the time).

“He probably convinced them – I don’t know – but he was a minister. The Cabinet gave the land to Yayasan and they immediately shook hands with Memang Perkasa,” she said when asked if the land had been offered below market price.

Several MACC reports over the case have been lodged, the first by Taman Tun Dr Ismail residents in May 2017 followed by Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng in November of the same year.

Yeoh lodged another report in May last year.

Also speaking at the town hall meeting, lawyer and activist Ambiga Sreenevasan said the MACC investigation must be carried out as that will determine if there is an element of corruption in the project.

She added that she fails to understand why there is a lack of progress in the investigation by the anti-graft body.

Ambiga also called for a moratorium on the project pending the completion of the MACC’s investigation.

“I’m hoping the MACC will move very quickly.”

While it is right for the government to honour all contracts, it may leave out deals that are tainted with illegality and not in the public interest.

Ambiga said according to the Federal Territory (Planning) Act 1982, compensation for a development that has yet to begin will be based on the expenditure incurred by the developer.

She added she will like the attorney-general to look at the legality of the contract.

“If there is a choice between private and public interest. The choice is clear.”  – May 18, 2019.