2 Datuks Behind Rm2 Firm Allegedly Awarded Perak Forestry Deal

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Kampar MP Thomas Su has questioned how a RM2 company was awarded a 50-year concession to develop 400ha in the Kledang Saiong and Bukit Kinta reserves. (File pic)PETALING JAYA: Two men with a “Datuk” title are the directors of a RM2 company allegedly awarded a project to develop 400ha of forest reserves in Perak
This was revealed in checks by FMT on the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) documents after a DAP MP lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on the matter
Earlier today, Kampar MP Thomas Su told FMT that the state government should clarify a letter which went viral recently
Su said that according to the letter, the company was awarded the concession by the Perak Forest Resources Committee in December
This was a mere five months after it was formed with a paid-up capital of only RM2 following the 14th general election, he said
The company’s concession is allegedly for the development of 400ha of forests for plantations in the Kledang Saiong and Bukit Kinta reserves
Thomas Su.“How is it that this RM2 company can receive this concession for 50 years?” Su asked, adding that the letter did not go into detail about what the company is allowed to do in its development
“The menteri besar (Ahmad Faizal Azumu) was asked about this and he said he needs time to verify it, that is why I want MACC to investigate.”Bernama had reported Faizal as saying that he needed to check the veracity of the letter issued by the Perak Forestry Department
FMT has also contacted Faizal for comment and is awaiting a response
Su said that before lodging the report, one of his officers had sought answers from the department but was unsuccessful
It was learnt that the company was set up on July 26, 2018 in Kuala Lumpur although its business address is in Taiping
According to the SSM documents, the company’s nature of business is “growing of plants for planting, commodity brokers and dealers, and wholesale of a variety of goods without any particular specialisation”
Previously, environmental NGOs had raised concerns of suspicious land clearing activities at the Kledang Saiong Forest Reserve
Subsequently, it was reported that the land clearing was illegal although it was carried out on land belonging to Menteri Besar Incorporated. However, this land is reportedly not located within the reserve
A source told FMT that a state executive councillor from a Pakatan Harapan coalition party was allegedly involved in the deal to award the concession. - FMT

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