Risda alleges RM15 million CBT by law firm in purchase of rubber land

The Rubber Industries Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) today lodged a police report claiming a law firm allegedly committed breach of trust involving a downpayment of RM15,545,400 for the purchase of 2,428 hectares of land in Tongod, Sabah, two years ago. The report was lodged by Risda chairman Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin who was accompanied by lawyers and senior officers from Risda at the Kota Kinabalu police headquarters at noon. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Zahidi said Risda had written to the law firm to return the money as the purchase could not be continued, but till now there had been no response. "They do not seem to be interested in returing the money and thus we deem they have committed criminal breach of trust (CBT)," he said. He added that the amount paid out in July 2014 was 10% downpayment for the parcel valued at RM155,454,000 which was for a rubber replanting project to assist smallholders. However, he said Risda could not follow through with the project as the status of the land, located about 265km from Kota Kinabalu, could not be converted to agricultural land because it was native customary land. On another matter, Zahidi said RM112 million would be channeled to Risda branches in Sabah for replanting activities, agricultural infrastructure, expansion and entrepreneur development programmes. – Bernama, March 3, 2016.]]>