FT Ministry to launch probe on dubious KL land sale

The Federal Territories Ministry will carry out an internal investigation into the alleged sale of 64 plots of land in Kuala Lumpur.

(NST) – Its newly-minted minister Khalid Samad said he will look into the matter soon.

“This is my first day at work and I do not want to come into office like what you called… a special investigator or something like that.

“I have to handle the ministry as a whole, not specifically only on one issue.

“But, I believe that (the 64 plots of land) will be an issue that we will look into it in the near future.

“I am sure that the ministry’s administration, including the secretary-general, will give me their full support and all the necessary information on when, why and how, if something unscrupulous happened.

“(And) we will conduct an internal investigation,” he told the press at his office today.

He said while an internal investigation would be conducted, the ministry would not interfere with the investigation that is being carried out by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“I believe that it is their (MACC’s) role and the ministry will give our full cooperation to the commission.

“Should there be any misappropriation, bribery and others, we (me and my deputy) guarantee that there would not be a compromise,” he said.

It was previously reported that the 64 plots of land – believed to be worth RM4.28 billion – was sold to the Federal Territories Foundation and other private developers between 2013 to 2018 without an open tender process.

Asked on the plan to gazette the much-debated draft of Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020, Khalid said: “Well, after it being presented to me, Insya-Allah (God’s willing).

“We will need a special session because today’s session is just an overall bird’s eye view of the whole responsibilities of the ministry.”

Khalid said he aimed to bring the ministry to new heights.

“This post (as the minister) is not for my political and personal interest.

“We shall leave our politics behind the door, as we step into this building.

“We must work as a team and give the best services to make it an excellent ministry.”

Also present were his deputy Datuk Dr Shahruddin Md Salleh and the ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Seri Adnan Md Ikhsan.

Upon their arrival at the ministry’s building, they were greeted by secretary-general Datuk Seri Adnan Md Ikhsan, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Tan Sri Mhd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz and other senior officers.

They were then brought to Level 4 and clocked in at 8.35am for the first time at the ministry.