KUALA LUMPUR – Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh did not influence the decision to appoint her husband’s company to run Selangor Mobility’s Demand Responsive Transit (DRT) pilot project, said Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Amirudin added that neither he nor mobility exco Ng Sze Han were involved in the appointment process as it was fully conducted by Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI).
“There is no ban (on the appointment), the state allows people to conduct business and what’s important is the process has no effort of influence by (Hannah) or any involved parties. That I am sure.
“There was no breach of procedures or ethics. Otherwise wives and husbands of elected officials have to become babysitters at home. They have their own professional careers… as long as it adheres to the rules.
“I am not involved, and the process of appointing Asia Mobiliti did not include (Ng),” he told reporters during an event at Seri Selangor Golf Club today.
“It is with the leadership at the MBI level, as they made the assessment with the presence of the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad).”
Amirudin added that family members of opposition lawmakers have their own businesses, and it is permissible as long as there is no abuse of power.
He also said if Asia Mobiliti was removed from the project, it would leave Badan Bas Coach Sdn Bhd as the sole operator, which would hinder the state from comparing the two.
The DRT system is a shared transportation service that groups passengers based on their locations and sends vehicles accordingly. This system can adjust routes on-demand, unlike traditional services that follow fixed routes and schedules.
Last week, Asia Mobiliti – one of two operators appointed for the project – received scrutiny after it was learned that its co-founder and chief executive, Ramachandran Muniandy, is Hannah’s husband.
Earlier this month, the Selangor government received another proposal from Kumpool Sdn Bhd to participate in the process, after receiving approval from Apad.
Previously, Ng said Apad approved Asia Mobiliti as one of the operators for Selangor Mobility’s DRT pilot project on December 20, 2022.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Tan Sri Azam Baki said the agency had no issue with the appointment. – May 30, 2024