Rafizi: Zaid used position in PKR to lobby projects for associates

PETALING JAYA (Feb 26): PKR strategic director, Rafizi Ramli today hit back at former party member Datuk Zaid Ibrahim claiming that the latter had used his position in the party in attempts to secure projects for his associates.

Revealing a few email conversations which transpired between the two in 2010, Rafizi said that Zaid had approached him to pursue and sway the decision of the state government regarding two different projects.

Rafizi was approached in his capacity as Selangor Economic Advisor's Office's chief executive officer (CEO).

"I have personally experienced dealing with him during the short one-year period (when Zaid was with PKR),

"The first project concerned 26 acres around the border of Batu and Selayang. I was informed that his associates have made the suggestion to have a joint venture with Kumpulan Hartanah Selangor Berhad (KHSB).

"In the June 25 email, it is clearly stated that Zaid wanted me to lobby Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim to approve this deal," said the Pandan MP today.

In the email provided to the press, calling the deal an "easy call", Zaid said that KHSB seemed to have a dispute with the state government over the land space concerned.

"My client Teamwork has proposed a joint venture with Hartanah. Just need Tan Sri (Khalid Ibrahim) to okay the proposal," wrote Zaid.

Another project concerned premier land plots, PT70 and 71, in Section 14 Petaling Jaya to be developed by Zaid's associates.

Rafizi said that he had taken the matter up with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who agreed with Rafizi that the party will not be used to lobby on issues concerning state administration, especially with regards to property.

"Our engagement is limited to policy issues. We take the water restructuring for example. I can critise and suggest plans to manage the issue but I cannot suggest which companies should be hired or given the contracts for water management," he said.

Zaid, who has thrown his hat in the ring as an independent candidate in the Kajang by-election has been criticising PKR's candidate Anwar as dishonest and not being transparent.

In retaliation, Rafizi added today," If you want to preach and campaign on grounds of integrity and transparency, you must make sure that you are clean yourself".

Zaid meanwhile is expected to call for a press conference tomorrow to respond.


Source: FZ