Perak Opposition stages walkout after motion on Mentri Besar Inc is allowed

IPOH: All 28 Opposition assemblymen staged a walkout after disagreeing with a motion that the improvements to the Mentri Besar Incorporated (MB Inc), based on a probe on how it was run by the previous state administration, be debated in the state assembly.

Led by Perak opposition leader Datuk Saarani Mohamad, the 25 Barisan Nasional and the three PAS assemblymen walked out when the Deputy Speaker Aminuddin Zulkipli allowed the motion.

Saarani told reporters that it was sufficient to hand over the report on the improvements to the assembly, adding that there was no need to table a motion.

"In the report, there is no misuse of power, money laundering or missing money.

"There is only weaknesses in terms of the administration and management issues, which is normal," he told a press conference on Wednesday (July 24) on the sidelines of the state assembly sitting.

The motion, by Malim Nawar assemblyman Leong Cheok Keng, who is also the Perak Public Accounts Committee chairman, was passed with the support of 31 assemblymen.

During the debate, Leong said the investigation carried out by the committee found several weaknesses and errors in the management and administration of MB Inc when it was managed by the Perak administration before the 14th General Election.

"With credible witnesses coming forward to testify to the investigation committee, it has been established that since the forming of MB Inc in 2012, no auditing has been performed," he added.

Leong told reporters later that MB Inc was unable to return the commitment fee to investors as the money was used for management expenses instead.

In addition, he said a total of RM374,000 was spent to produce 3,000 copies of the Brand Laureate magazine. However, a total of 2,783 copies sat collecting dust at the MB Inc storeroom.

At the end of the session, Speaker Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham reprimanded the former management for mismanaging, errors and weaknesses in running the government-linked company.

He made a ruling that yearly audit reports must be conducted and presented to the assembly.

Ngeh also said the commitment fee, a deposit paid by investors for a project to MB Inc, cannot be used as operational expenses.

"When carrying out a new agreement with any parties, MB Inc must have a termination clause and strict time-frame to ensure the operator doesn't hold on to a land without any activities.

"MB Inc must also not spend money on doubtful promotional and publicity projects such as the Brand Laureate," he added.