THE Government has not decided on whether to sell Tabung Haji Plantations land to Tamaco Plantations Sdn Bhd or otherwise.
Speaking at the Dewan Rakyat, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Zulkilfli Mohamad Al-Bakri said the Government was in the midst of scrutinising details of the proposed deal and nothing has been finalised.
Zulkifli, who is in charge of Islamic affairs, was responding to queries by Baling MP Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, who claimed to be in possession of documents proving that the Government has approved the sale of TH Plantations’ land for RM170 mil instead of its market value of RM224 mil.
Azeez alleged that Tamaco Plantation owed RM247 mil in sukuk (Islamic bond) money and questioned the Government’s motive of selling the land to the company despite the denial by Zulkifli.
However, the minister retorted by saying: “It’s interesting how our Baling lawmaker seems to know more than us. As far as I know, we have not made any decision on the matter.”
Azeez used to serve as Tabung Haji chairman during the tenure of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
In December last year, TH Plantations had put up its shares in Bumi Suria Ventures Sdn Bhd and Maju Warisan Sdn Bhd for sale, citing financial constraints, to the tune of RM170 mil.
The transaction would involve the disposal of 6,514 hectares of oil palm plantation in Bintulu and Sibu to Tamaco Plantation whose directors are said to be mainly non-Malays. – Dec 8, 2020.
