Why Am I Singled Out Over Bernas Shares Shahidan Asks Anwar

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Arau MP Shahidan Kassim said the purchase of shares of a public-listed company had nothing to do with the government. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Arau MP Shahidan Kassim has questioned why he has been singled out by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over the purchase of Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) shares by corporate figure Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary.
In a Sinar Harian report, Shahidan pointed out that Syed Mokhtar also purchased the company’s shares from many other shareholders – adding that the purchase of shares of public-listed companies “isn’t the government’s business”.
“I want the public to know that the accusation is untrue,” he said, without elaborating on what he meant by the “accusation”.
“This matter involves laws and a listed company, and it has been going on for decades. Why am I being blamed? I am not the owner of Bernas.
“Ask the owner why he bought the listed shares, (which were) not (owned by) me alone but by many (others). The accusation is not true.”
At a press conference on Monday, Anwar said the government would look into Bernas’ concession period, which gave it the power to monopolise rice imports, as well as its profits and turnover.
He said that Syed Mokhtar took ownership of Bernas after he bought 31% of the company’s shares from Tan Boon Seng for about RM800 million and Shahidan’s stakes at RM400 million.
Anwar said he had spoken to Syed Mokhtar “and he had been reprimanded because he monopolises rice imports”, adding that the billionaire had agreed to allocate RM10 million to local farmers this month, with Bernas to distribute another RM50 million next year. - FMT

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