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PETALING JAYA: De facto Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan acted as coordinating minister between the Kedah state and federal governments when he discussed a water treatment plant project in the state with Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz .
Takiyuddin’s Political Secretary Wan Rohimi Wan Daud said that Takiyuddin had been appointed to the post by the prime minister on September 1, adding that the WhatsApp chat between the two ministers was being broadcast to “tarnish the good name” of the relevant parties.
“The WhatsApp chat screenshot was deliberately taken out of context with the malicious intent to create negative perception and tarnish the good name of all parties,” said Wan Rohimi.
In a statement, Wan Rohimi explained that among the tasks of Takiyuddin in his capacity as coordinating minister was to serve as a facilitator on issues such as development projects between various ministries, departments and agencies of the federal and state governments of Kedah.
In the WhatsApp chat that has gone viral on social media, Takiyuddin solicited Tengku Zafrul’s opinion on a joint venture proposal between state-owned Bina Darulaman Bhd (BDB) and Taliworks Corporation for the Pelubang water treatment plant.
Takiyuddin told Tengku Zafrul that BDB already has a partner for the project and asked for the opinion of the finance minister, after which Tengku Zafrul said it would be better for BDB to meet with Taliworks controlling shareholder Lim Chee Meng.
Then I’ll report to the prime minister. Because (the) state needs a technical partner, ”said Takiyuddin.
Takiyuddin then said that Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor had proposed another water project in Langkawi with Taliworks, which was worth RM550 million, to which Zafrul replied “Oh, okay.”
“But for direct negotiations, we also need to ensure that the state-owned company’s joint venture / partner is technically and financially sound,” added Tengku Zafrul.
Wan Rohimi also attached a statement from Sanusi dated yesterday explaining the projects that were discussed in the leaked conversation.
In the statement, Sanusi said that he asked Kedah’s federal coordinating minister (Takiyuddin) to follow up on the state’s request to the finance ministry for federal funds, as “time was running out” to complete the treatment plant of Pelubang water and ensure the water supply. in various districts.
