Kojadi S Funds From Yayasan 1mdb Not Illegal Says Mca President

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MCA president Wee Ka Siong is questioning how the money party-linked co-operative Koperasi Jayadiri Sdn Bhd (Kojadi) received from Yayasan 1MDB is deemed illegal when it had paid taxes to the Inland Revenue Board (IRD)
Wee said Kojadi chairperson Ng Peng Hay briefed him on Dec 12, 2018, that RM1.03 million was paid to IRD as tax and penalty
"As a recipient of the Yayasan 1MDB's funds, after the Pakatan Harapan took over Putrajaya, a payment for tax and penalty was made
"I feel weird..if the company paid taxes, how come the fund is illegal?" he told reporters at Wisma MCA today
Wee also noted that all money the co-operative received was approved by the Cooperative Commission.Wee said he had asked Ng to seek advice from lawyers as the latter appeared confused with his stance on the status of the money, but the advice was ignored
On Tuesday, Ng was summoned to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's headquarters and subsequently, he announced that Kojadi's bank account has been frozen for 90 days
Wee said only the account meant for micro-credit was frozen
"Accounts which are not related (to Yayasan 1MDB) are not frozen
"Kojadi will continue its operations as usual and provide loans for the youth to further their studies," he said
Selective investigationWee also raised the matter of selective investigation by the MACC in reclaiming 1MDB-related money from parties and individuals
"How about other recipients of the Yayasan 1MDB? They are those who had performed the haj, taxi drivers, farmers, and students
"Now that the action has been taken against Kojadi, I am not sure if MACC would go after them? Otherwise, it's a selective prosecution or selective investigation
"I hope the law is not selective regardless of the skin colour and religion," he said
Last week, Ng (photo) claimed that Wee had tried to block his meeting with MACC
In a statement on Saturday, June 29, Ng claimed that 11 out of 14 Kojadi board members who signed a statement denying any interference from Wee were forced to do so
Wee, however, reiterated he did not interfere with Kojadi's operation and business and dismissed Ng's accusations
"I still remember when I was elected as the MCA president last year. Ng came to Wisma MCA, and he asked to have more meetings with me so that our communication will be more effective
"In fact, he always updated the progress of the co-operative to me. My only comment was 'congratulations, keep it up'
"In April this year, again, he asked us to meet regularly. But now he claimed that I have interfered with Kojadi's business."Wee also expressed his disappointment that Ng had revealed the minutes of a board meeting to the media which was meant for internal use
Wee said Ng only read one out of five points of the minute which stated: "To surrender the 1MDB grant if required, subject to the agreement on the terms with MACC or relevant authorities.""However, he didn't mention other points which include 'to seek legal opinion on the matter' and 'to brief and consult the MCA president on the matter'," he said
Last month, the MACC filed 41 forfeiture suits on various individuals and organisations to seek the return of RM280 million in 1MDB-linked funds
Wanita MCA and MCA's Pahang chapter were among the organisations targeted in the forfeiture suits. - Mkini

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