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Monday, 18 January 2010

Police report filed against exco over school funds - Malaysiakini

A police report was lodged against Selangor state exco Dr Xavier Jayakumar today for allegedly abusing allocations for Tamil schools in the state totalling around RM1.67 million last year.

Jeganathan police report ipd klang 170110Speaking to reporters, Klang's Parents Teachers Association chairperson G Jeganathan said the state government had given the funds, meant for upgrading the schools, to three NGOs without a clear explanation.

Jeganathan, who filed the report at the Klang police headquarters, revealed that the three NGOs were Child Information, Learning and Development Centre (Child), Tamil Foundation Malaysia and Educational, Welfare and Research Foundation (EWRF).

According to him, they have received a copy of a letter signed by all PTA representatives, claiming that the money was not received.

"The same letter was even sent to the state exco (including Jayakumar) and the menteri besar last month, asking for an explanation. But until now there has been no response from them

"I hope the menteri besar and the Selangor speaker can take action on this because it is not just any money, but money for schools," he said.

Responding to a question, Jeganathan said he did not check the background of the NGOs.

"That is not within my power, I am asking the police to investigate because they have the authority (to do so). I can't do it because I'm only an individual," he added.

Where is the money?

Meanwhile, Malaysian Indian Welfare Association president A Prakash, who stressed that he was neutral on this issue, told reporters that PTA representatives have complained to him about the matter.

"Last week, I met the PTA group who said they have informed Jayakumar and the menteri besar but until today no reply has come forth.

"But we managed to get a reply from the menteri besar later, who said that he has asked Jayakumar to make a statement but unfortunately, he (Jayakumar) has not responded," he added.

Prakash also said he was 'taken aback' when he learnt about the allegation and urged the NGOs or Jayakumar to give a detailed explanation.

"I am not siding anyone but I have received complaints that the funds have been abused.

"The NGOs have said that they are clean and transparent in their administration and Jayakumar said he would explain the situation. However, the question remains, where is the money?" he asked.

Jayakumar to take legal action

NONEContacted later, Jayakumar said he would initiate legal action against Jeganathan for accusing him of abusing the allocation.

He said the complainant "does not have any evidence to back his claim" and is unaware of the whole story.

"The three NGOs have been in the education industry for many years even before Pakatan Rakyat governed the state.

"Don't simply throw brickbats at us. Where is the evidence?" he said, adding that the PTA received RM1.5 million last year.

According to him, the NGOs have external and internal auditors and the state government is monitoring them closely.

He added that the NGOs have received various funds from many parties and individuals, and not just from the state government.

A background check also revealed that the three NGOs received RM1.67 million on June 24, 2009 to upgrade the Tamil education environment.

Commenting further, Jayakumar said: "So we do not necessarily give funds directly to schools."

He pointed out that Child had opened 22 kindergarten classrooms in Tamil schools.

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