The Malaysian Insight

THE Zoo Negara management must answer for its failure to build seven apartment units for employees after the previous government allocated RM1.6 million for the project, said Dr Xavier Jayakumar.

The water, land and natural resources minister said action can be taken against the zoo’s administrators only after an audit by the National Audit Department and investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission are carried out.

“The zoo’s manager has to answer for what happened. We have an audit, and we will wait for the result.

“I heard that the matter has reached MACC. Let it investigate before we take any action,” he said after launching the International Water Convention in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

On Sunday, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) called on the authorities to investigate the zoo’s failure to build the workers’ quarters despite having received funds for the purpose.

MTUC secretary-general J. Solomon said it learnt that the zoo management received the RM1.6 million as far back as 2001.

“At the time, MTUC was told that the allocation would be used for the construction of seven three-room apartments, which we thought were grossly overpriced.

“Even so, the units were never delivered to the workers.”

He said MTUC has raised the matter with the Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry, which oversees Zoo Negara, but has yet to get a response. – July 25, 2019.