The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will prioritise the Federal Territories Minister’s orders relating to land matters under its administration, a former officer told the High Court today.
Former DBKL economic planning and development department (JPEPP) director Ab Salim Mansor said this when testifying in Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor’s corruption case for receiving RM2 million from developer Aset Kayamas Sdn Bhd.
“The minister’s orders are our priority, followed by orders from the deputy minister, mayor and other department chiefs,” said Salim.
During questioning by deputy public prosecutor Hadariah Siri, Salim was referred to a February 15, 2016 letter from the Federal Territories Ministry to former KL mayor Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz, which was forwarded to him for further actions.
“What was your action (tindakan) after receiving the minutes from the minister?” asked DPP Hadariah.
“When I received the minutes, I went to see the mayor to discuss what the department needed to do.
“The orders have been given and usually we then send out letters to the company that is making the application,” he answered.
Ab Salim said that DBKL had then agreed with Aset Kayamas’ applications.
Aset Kayamas had asked for a delay in paying the first 10% payment for the plots and a reduction to only 10% of the additional 20% payment that was added on to the land value for the plots.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel Datuk Tan Hock Chuan, Ab Salim agreed that usually, DBKL followed procedures even with instructions from the minister.
Tan: When the mayor receives (applications) he will forward to JPEPP?
Ab Salim: Yes.
Tan: And JPEPP will evaluate or give its feedback to the mayor?
Ab Salim: Yes.
Tan: Then (despite) any minutes by the minister you will use the procedure?
Ab Salim: Yes.
Earlier, former Kuala Lumpur mayor Tan Sri Mohd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz had disagreed with Tan whether Tengku Adnan’s instructions should be taken as a suggestion (cadangan) or a directive (arahan).
Tan: I suggest that it is a suggestion (from the minister).
Amin: I disagree.
“To be fair to you, of course, the minister has an influence. Everywhere in the world, politicians have influence,” Tan later remarked.
Amin only smiled in response.
Amin had on Wednesday (July 3) implied that while the mayor had the authority over the sale of DBKL lands, the minister had the final say.
The trial will continue before Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan on July 9.
Earlier reports:
July 3, Letters from Developer Contained Directives from Tengku Adnan
July 2, Ex-Personal Driver Deposited RM2M Cheque on Tengku Adnan’s Orders
July 2, Tengku Adnan Got RM2M to Fund By-Election