PETALING JAYA: An investigation into development projects near water retention ponds in Kuala Lumpur found no elements of corruption but graft busters issued warnings.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) senior investigations director Datuk Mohd Hafaz Nazar said the commission told Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) as early as 2023 to tighten monitoring and regulatory control over development projects near the capital's water retention ponds.
This was to ensure contractors fully complied with conditions and specifications, he added.
He said no elements of corruption were found in the approval process for the development.
However, any violations of conditions or developments that could affect the ponds would then be the responsibility of the local authority, he said.
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"In 2022, the MACC opened an investigation paper following complaints of alleged abuse of power involving several officers from DBKL and the Kuala Lumpur Irrigation and Drainage Department for the period between 2015 and 2021.
"Among the allegations investigated was the conversion of the status of several areas near retention ponds in the capital, including in Taman Wahyu, for development purposes.
"We carried out a comprehensive investigation based on documents and testimonies obtained before the investigation paper was completed in 2023 and referred to the deputy public prosecutor.
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"Based on the outcome of the investigation, no elements of corruption were identified and the case was classified as No Further Action (NFA)," he said on Friday (May 15).
Previously Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said that she was waiting for a response from the MACC over alleged irregularities tied to the alienation of the Batu and Jinjang flood retention ponds.
Yeoh revealed that she had lodged a report on the matter with the MACC back in 2021.
She was also previously reported as saying that flood retention ponds in Jinjang and Batu have shrunk to about 30% of their original size after 17 lots were transferred to developers since 2015.
