MB Terengganu is challenged to debate the issue of selling cheap land
June 4, 2023 15:40 MYT
Datuk Seri Ahmad Said said, he challenged the main leader of the state to argue to prove that the actions taken were not illegal. - Image file
DUNGUN: Terengganu Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar was challenged to debate on the issue of the sale of government land which was allegedly sold to a non-governmental organization (NGO) at a lower price than the current market.
Terengganu UMNO chairman, Datuk Seri Ahmad Said said, he challenged the state's main leader to argue to prove that the actions taken were not illegal.
"It's right if he said to follow the legal channels to enter the meeting. But, is it logical that the price of land worth RM29 million is sold at the price of RM500,000.
"For me that is a betrayal to the people of Terengganu. I challenge the Menteri Besar (Ahmad Samsuri) to debate with me.
"I myself have worked as an Assistant District Officer in the land department, I have signed thousands of land grants, I know the laws and regulations of land," he said when met by reporters at the State Election Machinery (PRN) Launching Ceremony of the BN Parliament in Dungun Bukit Besi Pyramid Square, here Saturday night.
According to Ahmad Said, the issue has been reported to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) before but there has been no action regarding the matter.
"The MACC is asked to take action immediately, otherwise the authority of the MACC will be disputed by the people. The same is true of timber and gold. Why not investigate and prosecute?
"We are asking for proof as we brought to court a corruption case involving the distribution of money to voters. They (PAS) say charity, this is not a question of charity. This is a question of the money being given during the election period," he said.
According to Ahmad Said, after BN lost the 10th General Election (GE10) in 1999, PAS gave the land to a cooperative and after BN returned to power in 2004, the land was taken back with a value of RM6.7 million.
"If you follow the value of the land at RM6.7 million, the premium that should be charged is about eight percent. Not to mention that he (PAS government) valued the land at RM5.5 million and ordered that the land be paid for at RM550,000.
"While the current value of the land that the government made is worth RM29 million. Is that according to the rules? The value of RM29 million you give is only RM550,000... where is the government's capital?... this is the people's money, a betrayal of the people," he stressed.
Ahmad Samsuri when met by reporters in a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday said that the sale of state government land worth RM29.3 million to an NGO was done in accordance with existing rules and laws in Terengganu.
Previously, the issue of the sale of 11,299 square meters of land near the Terengganu Pass Communications Agency building was allegedly sold to an NGO with a premium payment of RM500,000.
Also circulating on social media was a document related to the sale of the land which was said not to be supported by the Kuala Terengganu City Council (MBKT) and contrary to the premium price that should have been charged at RM5.87 million, but was allegedly reduced to RM500,000.
However, Ahmad Samsuri when met by reporters in a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday said that the sale of state government land worth RM29.3 million to an NGO was done in accordance with existing rules and laws in Terengganu.
