Rural and Regional Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this was the reason behind the suspension of all non-education related sponsorship activities by the two organisations, Pelaburan Mara Bhd and Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL).
“The effect is on Mara as the two (sponsors) are wholly-owned subsidiaries. They are Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and Pelaburan Mara Bhd. How much was given and when it started have yet to be established.
“I am still waiting for the complete report from the officers. As I have said before and pending the issuance of the complete report, each sponsorship must be temporarily halted,” Ismail Sabri was quoted as saying by The New Straits Times (NST).
On Sunday, Mara had agreed to cease sponsorship for non-education related matters.
Mara’s chairman Annuar Musa, who was Kafa president until November last year, said he would abide by Ismail’s instruction on the matter.
“We will abide by the instruction. It is a good move,” Annuar was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian today.
His statement came in the light of a complaint by Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, popularly known as TMJ, who claimed that Annuar had forced Mara and its two subsidiaries UniKL and Pelaburan Mara to fund the Red Warriors.
Annuar, who is also Umno information chief, had repeatedly denied Tunku Ismail’s claim, saying no money from Mara had gone to the team.