By Shannon Teoh
The Malaysian Insider
Oct 06, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 — The government said today that Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli had breached the Companies Act by not disclosing his interests when he was chairman of Malaysia Airlines (MAS).
But Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said that the fine incurred by Tajuddin has been postponed as the case involves a civil suit that has not been resolved.
The de facto law minister said that reports made by the national carrier against its former boss had been referred to the Attorney-General in 2006.
“Based on the investigation, evidence shows that he had breached section 131 of the Companies Act which involves ‘disclosure of interests’.
“As the case involves a civil claim that has not been resolved, he asked the Attorney-General’s Chambers to delay the compound. The A-G’s Chambers has granted the request,” Nasri said in a written reply to Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor) in Parliament today.
The DAP parliamentary leader had asked if the Attorney-General can absolve the former MAS chairman from criminal liabilities as there has been no prosecution against Tajuddin despite the reports made by the flag carrier to the police and anti-graft authorities.
Putrajaya had directed all government-linked companies (GLCs) in August, including MAS, to cease all civil suits against Tajuddin via a letter sent by Nazri.
Nazri informed them that the Finance Ministry had agreed to settle all claims against Tajuddin, a poster boy of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s plan to groom Bumiputera entrepreneurs.
Nazri later said that the agreement could save Putrajaya “billions of ringgit” as Tajuddin had also filed counterclaims against the GLCs.