ALOR STAR: Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor pledges to unveil the plot behind the remand of Kedah Football Association (KFA) chief executive officer over an alleged corruption case.
Sanusi, who is also the KFA president, said the current situation involves injustices committed by certain parties using government agencies for political motives and personal interest.
"None of them are wealthy; they are all destitute. Some can't even afford to fill their car tanks with fuel. Some have lost their jobs and trying to rebuild their lives by seeking various jobs.
"If they did receive a reward of RM6 million, they wouldn't be as destitute as they appear," he said when contacted today.
Yesterday, it was reported that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had remanded KFA CEO Zulkifli Che Haron, and three individuals, including two consultants aged between 40 and 60 years, to assist in the investigation of a case involving solicitation and acceptance of bribes amounting to RM6 million.
The alleged corrupt funds were believed to be a reward for helping a company owner secure construction project tenders for a racecourse and projects to manage, operate, and maintain five water retention facilities in Kedah.
Sanusi said since its establishment, KFA has financed the football team and its activities through donations and contributions because it is not a profit-oriented organisation.
"When KFA was struggling with debts of tens of millions of ringgit, no one cared. Player salaries and payments to statutory bodies amounted to tens of millions, and still, no one cared.
"When we began to settle bit by bit while also financing the team's current needs, there were envious and resentful parties. When the team was privatised, KFA could breathe a little, but we still committed to paying off debts to creditors.
"Why are there envious parties? Ask them... indeed, KFA receives donations, but we don't conspire to commit corruption.
"KFA has no access codes for projects made through open tenders, and KFA is not involved in the circuit project.
"All of these are baseless accusations. I will expose this plot when the time comes," he said.
Elaborating further, Sanusi stated that the water plant tender was conducted openly and managed by the Public Works Department (PWD), requiring approval from the federal government.
He said this policy was implemented during the 22 months when the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government was in power.
"There was no interference, and there was no room for interference in open tender affairs... furthermore, when the tender was opened, the construction material prices were still low; after the tender was completed, the prices skyrocketed.
"No winning company could contribute to KFA... all companies are facing problems with the rising prices of construction materials to complete the project... does it make sense for them to donate RM6 million in their very tight situation?" he questioned.
Regarding the racing circuit issue, Sanusi stated that the project had no issues at all as it was undertaken through proper administrative processes by the Kedah State Development Corporation (PKB).
"It was only delayed because the developer faced issues, among them the stock market and others that caused their work to be delayed.
"It is currently being managed to be completed by another developer after negotiations and meeting agreed-upon conditions.
"This is a fabricated story targeting individuals intentionally to create a negative perception of Kedah.
"For me, this is the injustice of certain parties using agencies for political motives and personal satisfaction," he said.
