Azmin alleges Khir Toyo's wife visited Tokyo Disneyland on state funds

Azmin Ali: Khir Toyo's wife misused state funds for overseas holidays.

Shah Alam, - Bukit Antarabangsa state assemblyman Azmin Ali today accused the wife of former mentri besar Datuk Seri Khir Toyo of misusing state funds for overseas holidays, including a 2007 trip to Tokyo Disneyland.

He told the Selangor state assembly today that government records showed that the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis) headed by Datin Seri Zahrah Kechik also misused "welfare allocations" to buy clothing and accesories.

Balkis was dissolved on March 11 before Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim was sworn-in as Selangor Menteri Besar on March 13, 2008.

In 2007, state investment arm Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad (PNSB) recorded RM1.2 million ringgit in traveling costs which also included Balkis' technical visits, said Azmin.

He told the assembly that he has records to show Balkis made a "technical visit" to Tokyo Disneyland.

"Technical visit for what to Disneyland? Do they want to visit Mickey Mouse? If they visited industries in Tokyo and Europe, I would have still accepted it. Even if they have visited the industries in Mongolia, I would still have considered it," he argued.

The records also showed that Balkis also made "technical visits" to Korea and Hong Kong after Tokyo.

Balkis had also received a huge allocation from PNSB for welfare purposes but initial reports received by Azmin Ali showed the funds were used for the members' attires and accessories.

"What is this? If what I said are false accusations, I am willing to be brought to court," he said.

Azmin asked that a report be presented in the State Assembly on the results from the technical visits especially to Tokyo Disneyland.

He also accused PNSB of mishandling of funds and corruption in its acquisition of properties in Mecca.

The Selangor Menteri Besar's office had earlier revealed that the Barisan Nasional state government made unauthorized investments for properties in Mecca, Saudi Arabia worth RM17.5 million in 2007.

The Director of PNSB only authorized the buying of 5 units of apartments but instead 12 units were bought and they were registered under a personal name. Seven of the units were then sold back to an identified person and there was no official receipt to legitimize the transaction. (TMI)