Kok denies approving allocation linked to graft probe

FMT:

 

Kok denies approving

allocation linked to graft

probe

FMT Reporters

-07 Mar 2025, 08:55 PM

The Seputeh MP says she later found out that the invoices for the electronic equipment came from a company that did not exist.

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Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said she was informed by an LG dealer that the actual price of the smart whiteboards and TVs was lower than invoiced. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA : 

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok has denied approving about RM1.5 million for electronic equipment for 16 schools, a deal which is being linked to a corruption investigation involving her former special officer.

“I never approved an allocation on this scale,” she said in a statement tonight.

Kok said she later found out that the invoices for LG smart whiteboards and smart TVs for 16 schools were issued by a non-existent company.

She said she had been informed by the government’s implementation and coordination unit for the federal territories that constituency funds had been disbursed to 16 schools, with each school receiving RM99,000.

However, an LG dealer told her that the actual cost of three smartboards and three smart TVs for each school should have been RM55,299, not RM99,000.

“Based on what the LG dealer said, there is a discrepancy of RM43,701 per school or a total of RM699,216 across 16 schools. This discrepancy represents a serious breach of public trust,” she said.

Earlier today, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said it had remanded a former special officer to Kok and another individual on suspicion of soliciting and receiving a bribe of about RM500,000 last year.

An MACC source said the bribe was for helping approve an application for RM1.5 million for the supply of interactive smartboards to several schools in Kuala Lumpur.

The two men were detained on Wednesday night.

Kok revealed that two former officers were responsible for managing her service centre’s financial matters and handling constituency government allocations. They resigned last year.

She reiterated that she had nothing to do with the MACC investigation.

“I wish to categorically state that neither my staff nor I lodged any report with MACC,” she said in response to “baseless accusations circulating on social media regarding my alleged involvement”.

Last night, Kok, who is DAP vice-chairman, said it was regrettable and disheartening that she was being unfairly blamed by some party members and the families of her former staff over MACC’s decision to question the two men.