The Malaysian Insight

THE Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) will take action this month on four cases of alleged misconduct by the previous management, said chairman Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdullah.

He declined to provide details on the cases, but it is understood that one involves the sale of land in Nibong Tebal in 2015 at below market price, which caused Perda to suffer losses.

Haniff said the four cases took place after 2013.

While he did not say what kind of action Perda will take, given that investigations are ongoing, he did not rule out the possibility that those accused of wrongdoing will be taken to court.

“Be assured that action will be taken before February 15.

“(Perda’s) counsel has been appointed. The counsel has also met with Perda’s senior officials,” Haniff told The Malaysian Insight.

He said another 11 cases are being scrutinised to determine whether legal or administrative wrongdoing had been committed.

These cases took place before 2013, he added.

Following his appointment early last month, Haniff declared that he will clean up the federal agency and shore up its integrity.

“With my legal experience, it is not difficult to spot misconduct,” said the lawyer with 27 years’ experience under his belt.

Haniff, who has represented Bersatu in some of its cases, will hold the post of Perda chairman until January 2021.

The agency hit the headlines two years ago when then Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng said Perda, under Barisan Nasional at the time, had sold a 3.4ha plot to a developer for RM1.42 million, well below its market value of RM16.6 million.

The state government had given Perda the land to construct low-cost houses. The developer that bought the plot later submitted to the state government a proposal to build shops there instead.

Then Perda chairman and BN lawmaker Shahbudin Yahaya had defended the sale on the grounds that the agency would suffer further losses if it proceeded with the low-cost homes plan.

He had said the price was below market value because there was a possibility of erosion, and that the sale was made after a cost-benefit analysis.

PKR Youth members had lodged a police report on the sale.

Shahbudin, who is Tasek Gelugor MP, left Umno last December to become an independent.

Haniff declined to comment on Shahbudin’s political position.

“Let the court decide.” – February 1, 2019.