KUALA LUMPUR: The 'unbreakable' practice of developers giving commissions worth millions of ringgit to ministers and political parties to get approvals for projects must end.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it was vital to fight the 'disgusting' practice and such nonsense must stop or the country will be destroyed.
Anwar said it was alright for developers to make profits, but they should not be giving commissions to enrich certain individuals and parties.
"Do not make cuts of RM10 million, RM15 million to ministers and (political) parties like practiced before. This is damaging.
"I understand many are angry with me. But ask any developer in the Federal Territories, am I right or am I wrong. Am I exaggerating or am I telling the truth?
"Without exception, all said yes (to giving commissions). It has been a practice and they have done so. I told them we have to stop this nonsense.
"The RM10 million, RM15 million commission should in turn benefit the rakyat," said Anwar in his speech at the groundbreaking ceremony of Residensi Prihatin and Madani Food Court in Desa Tasik, Sungai Besi, today.
Present were Bandar Tun Razak member of parliament Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali and Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh.
Anwar, who is overseeing the Federal Territories Department, said he had in the beginning put a halt to new projects.
"I did not want the old practice to persist where when there are changes to a plot ratio or certain approvals, there were some links to politics and political benefit gains.
"However, in preparation of the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2040 draft, we decide it can proceed as long as the strict conditions are fulfilled.
"You want to build skyscrapers, mass (housing projects), go ahead but it must be balanced with medium cost and people's housing and there must be green spaces as well as foodcourts for the people," he said.
Anwar said he was baffled by a Whatsapp message purportedly from a city council officer in Selangor who complained on calls for the practice of giving commissions to cease.
"The officer had said that my emphasis on no more commissions had stopped him from trying to 'cari makan'. But, he has a salary. He must know that there are thousands of people waiting to get housing.
"I am supportive of developers, but they have to accept that the unity government will not compromise (misconducts) and they must adhere to green requirements, fields and provide people's housing," he added.
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