Zahir calls for a full and transparent investigation.
THERE needs to be greater transparency within Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) when awarding projects.
This follows claims that celebrity Datuk Afdlin Shauki, who is a DBKL advisory board member, has links to a company that was given a RM4mil contract to coordinate the local authority’s media programmes and podcasts, including building a recording studio.
This led to DBKL initiating an internal investigation, slated to be finalised this week.
Afdlin had denied the accusations, adding that he had lodged a police report.
Save Kuala Lumpur chairman Datuk M. Ali said the incident had exposed weaknesses in DBKL’s internal processes.
“We shouldn’t have to wait until a controversy pops up or for a whistleblower to highlight an issue,” he said.
Tan wants the findings to be made public.
Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan called for a “full and transparent” investigation.
“An investigation is required to determine who is at fault and to identify whether it is a systemic problem or a governance issue.
“All of these need to be looked into and rectified,” he said in a text message to StarMetro.
Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai said the findings of the investigation should be made public.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the contract amount was to cover construction costs and payment of talents who would be featured on podcasts.
Weaknesses in DBKL’s internal processes exposed, says Ali.
“This followed a proposal for DBKL to conduct media programmes to communicate its initiatives to the public.”
The source said the contract was given via direct negotiations as the company had a good reputation in media-related works.
On Saturday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said DBKL’s Integrity Unit would summon all relevant parties, including Afdlin, to assist with the investigation.
“From the perspective of governance, we need to carry out the necessary investigations,” she was quoted as saying.
