KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 5 — PKR secretary general Rafizi Ramli told 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) today to explain if the liabilities to be transferred to a Chinese consortium in the firm’s sale of Bandar Malaysia land include the upgrade of air force bases.
Local state investment firm 1MDB recently sold its 60 per cent in Bandar Malaysia to a Chinese consortium for RM 7.41 billion, but said the land sale valuation might be adjusted depending on the transfer of 1MDB’s existing liabilities in the deal amid questions over the actual sale price.
1MDB, while acquiring the land which has been marked for the development of Bandar Malaysia, had previously given an undertaking to relocate the Sungai Besi air force base that is located on the land, as well as to upgrade six air force bases across the country.
“This means that 1MDB had not completed its undertakings to upgrade the six bases,” Rafizi said in a statement today.
The opposition MP also said that there is a “big possibility” that the task to upgrade the facilities will be among the liabilities transferred to the Chinese consortium when the deal is finalised.
He said that this would then have great implications to the country’s sovereignty and national defence.
“Will this consortium be making decisions regarding the transfer of the air force military facilities? Will they have the right to determine to cost of the relocation of the air force military facilities?” the Pandan MP asked.
Rafizi also questioned if the upgrading and relocation of the air force bases would be affected if the Chinese firm refuses to undertake 1MDB’s liabilities in the deal.
“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak himself must provide an explanation regarding these questions as a company that is not owned by Malaysians should not be making decisions regarding the military facilities of the country, given that the Sungai Besi military air base is one of the most important bases in the country,” he said.
