KUALA LUMPUR: Former defence minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said he had taken an open stand in the investigation of the controversial land swap deals involving lands owned by the government.
The Sembrong Member of Parliament also welcomed the Ministry’s move in reporting the matter to Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“I have also asked my representative to file a report with the MACC to take appropriate action in relation to all 16 land swap agreements without any discrimination. Any information we have will be sent directly to the MACC to assist in the investigation,” he said in a statement.
The Defence Ministry (Mindef), through the Investigation Committee on Governance, Procurement and Finance report, revealed that elements of weaknesses and negligence in governance have been found, including involvement of the former leaders in 13 of the 16 ‘land swap’ projects.
The report also showed that other weaknesses include planning and procurement that led to the original purpose of the project, which was to improve military state of preparedness, has not been fully achieved.
Hishammuddin also urged that all evidences and documents, together with the committee's full report, be submitted to the MACC to enable them to fully investigate the agreements.
“This issue cannot be dragged into the media trials to be judged. The perception will cover the reality. So better just leave it to the authorities to carefully examine (the case) for the truth to be revealed,” he said.
It was reported that a total of 16 reports had been filed by Mindef over the land swap deals with the MACC urging for action to be taken.