Adenan checkmates Chong

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Chong criticised for not revealing ‘developer’ said to be interested in the Batu Kawa land

Adenan (second right) heading to his car after the adjournment of the DUN sitting yesterday. At left is Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

Adenan (second right) heading to his car after the adjournment of the DUN sitting yesterday. At left is Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

KUCHING: Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Kota Sentosa) was yesterday checkmated by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem when he could not reveal the mysterious developer said to be interested in the 267-acre land in Batu Kawa.

Adenan called Chong bluff when he (Chong) later dragged the issue of RM2.6 billion banked into the prime minister’s personal account into the one-day State Legislative Assembly sitting yesterday.

“He mentioned 1MDB, etc, and he also mentioned the RM2.6 billion because he wants to divert the issue. What has 1MDB got to do with Sabati or Batu Kawa land for that matter?

“The fact remains that no matter how you bark and harp, you are unable to produce this mysterious developer.

“The time for you, Sir, to name the person is over. We have given you more than one month, and you failed. We call your bluff because you cannot answer.

“There it stands, and I must say that relates to your credibility.”

Adenan said Sabati (Association of Wives of Ministers and Assistant Ministers of Sarawak) was a charitable organisation that had raised millions of ringgit over the years for the poor, the physically challenged, and the diseased.

“It is all voluntary work by the ministers’ wives. Perhaps, the only person paid is the executive secretary doing some clerical work, but not the members. Yes, they are privileged ladies, but they do have a heart for those less fortunate. Why cannot wives of the members of the opposition do the same instead of sitting pretty? Why do you victimise this society that is trying to do good for the people? Why do you cast suspicion on people who have nothing but charity to give to the rest?”

He said Sabati had contributed many heart and kidney equipment over the years for the benefit of those who needed such facilities, and the government was happy to assist them (Sabati).

“And this is the very body you say have ulterior motive, etc. I don’t think that is fair. So there you are, your blood is cold, and you did not perform. Instead you blame others for what you do.”

Adenan pointed out that Clause 10(1)(a) of Sabati’s constitution stated that “income and funds of Sabati shall be applied solely towards the promotion of its charitable objects and causes and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly or in any way whatsoever by way of profit or dividend to its members.”

“The government is assisting Sabati as an NGO (non-governmental organisation) who is doing charitable work for the benefit of the community in the same manner the government is also assisting other similar charitable organisations like Red Crescent, Cheshire Home, Society for the Blind, and Kidney Association of Sarawak.

“The government wants all these charitable bodies to perform their roles of helping the community in need of help effectively and sustainably.”

Earlier, Chong said he would come up with the name only after Adenan agreed in principle to the proposed development plan.

“Until today, you have not indicated whether you are agreeable to the plan. On Sabati, there is a basic principle of good governance to avoid all situations when it comes to conflict of interests.

“When the RM2.6 billion were paid to the prime minister’s personal account, he also claimed it is for a good purpose, for the good of Umno, but there are basic principles and that we should avoid personal conflicts of interests.”

Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar interrupted Chong by stating that there was no connection between Sabati and the RM2.6 billion imbroglio.

“I have to caution you on this. On Jan 15 this year, you lodged a report with MACC. On Aug 12, another report was lodged by you. The matter is there within the jurisdiction and purview of MACC. Any debate on this by you may result in disclosure of your report.”

He then read to Chong Section 29(4) of the MACC Act, 2009, which prompted Chong to rebut, “Mr Speaker, I did not lodge a report pursuant to the MACC Act. I just furnished information. That is different from lodging a report. If you study the provision of the Act, I made it clear to MACC that I am not lodging any report. I have not reported.”

Before all these, Adenan provided a chronology on the mentioned Batu Kawa land by pointing out that Permodalan Assar Sdn Bhd submitted a proposal for the development of the land to the Land and Survey Department (LSD) on May 27, 1996.

On June 8, 1996, the then state planning committee approved the proposed layout plan for the subdivision of the land into 55 plots, subject to various conditions relating to the permitted usages of the 55 plots. The approval was valid for only one year from the approval date. The validity period for the approval granted to Assar had expired.

On Nov 25, 2013, the director of LSD notified the architect for Standard Parade Development Sdn Bhd (SPD) that provisional approval had been given by the State Planning Authority (SPA) for the proposed mixed development for the said land, subject to the state lands being available for alienation and payment of premium and compliance with other conditions stipulated in the letter from the director.

On March 8, 2014, the state government signed an agreement with SPD on the alienation and payment of premium for the said land. The premium was assessed professionally by valuers in LSD, based on provisional approval granted by SPA on the use of each of the blocks within the Batu Kawa land after subdivision, including the surrender free-of-charge of part of the land for infrastructure like roads, drains and public utilities.

On Aug 1, 2014, Chong urged Adenan to stop the alienation and suggested the land be used for affordable housing, with the construction of flats equipped with full recreational facilities and two primary schools.

On April 29, 2015, Chong raised the issue in DUN, so Adenan asked him to find a purchaser who is prepared to pay RM550 million for the said land within 30 days.

On June 7, 2015, after the expiry of the 30-day period, Chong wrote to Adenan and announced to a press conference that he had found an unidentified and mysterious purchaser who was willing to pay RM620 million ‘worth’ (including cash payment of RM490 million) for the land.

On Aug 12, 2015, Chong made new allegations to the media by saying that the Batu Kawa land was ‘hijacked’ from Assar, a government-linked company, to benefit shareholders of SPD, and that there were conflicts of interests by state ministers to approve the alienation of land for the construction of a building for Sabati.

Adenan said: “No offer has been received from that person to buy and develop the land. Neither is the government in the position to determine if this unidentified and mysterious person has the financial resources to buy the land and develop it in accordance with plans approved by SPA.

“The government, in the public interest, has a duty to ensure there is a person who is not only willing but also able to buy and develop the Batu Kawa land. The government is, therefore, fully entitled to conclude that the unidentified and mysterious purchaser is a figment of Chong’s imagination, to avoid conceding that he fails to find a buyer for at least RM550 million, which he claims he could find.”