MALACCA - Three key board members of Kobemas, Malacca’s co-operative for the poor, have been dismissed over a contentious plan to dispose of a newly unveiled hotel it built at the MITC in Ayer Keroh here.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron stepped in to intervene when talk surfaced that some board members of the state agency planned to do this recently.
Confirming that the services of the three were terminated, Idris said the RM17mil hotel was special to the co-operative as it represented the sweat of the poor. “And it shouldn’t be sold for profit,” he added when contacted yesterday.
Idris said the decision to remove the three was reached unanimously during Wednesday’s state exco meeting.
The three were the co-operative chairman, his deputy and the treasurer. Their roles will be taken over by three other senior government officials.
“I had to act fast after elements of mismanagement surfaced over attempts to dispose of the hotel to a third party,” said Idris.
The three-star seven-storey facility, with 165 rooms, was constructed by Kobemas as part of its revenue-generating initiative to benefit its 28,074 members. They pay a monthly fee of RM10 each.
The co-operative was set up four years ago by former Chief Minister Tan Sri Mohd Ali Rustam to offer financial aid to the state’s poor.
Kobemas also offers discounts for its members when they purchase groceries and household items at selected hypermarkets and outlets.
When contacted, former chairman Amir Hamzah Aziz said he received the termination with an open heart.
Amir admitted that there were attempts to sell off the hotel to three different parties by eight of the 12 members of the management board.
“I have explained all to the Chief Minister. His intention to save the hotel is noble, and I respect his decision,” he said. - ANN
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