He expressed confidence that he would be exonerated.
The Umno minister said the government was aware of the documents’ “standing and interpretation” on the matter, but preferred to allow investigation of his alleged wrongdoing to take its course.
“We have no issue. We will cooperate with anyone,” he said today in relation to the approval granted for extension of time (EOT) to developer BHL Construction Sdn Bhd on the delivery date of the project when he was urban wellbeing, housing and local government minister.
He said the government was aware of the documents on the matter revealed by two DAP members in Penang – Satees Muniandy and P David Marshel – who had lodged a police report.
They alleged that the wife of Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali had lobbied Rahman on behalf of the developer.
“I am very confident that at the end of it, there is no wrongdoing (to be found) as alleged by DAP on the issue,” he said.
He believed what he had done was within the powers of the minister of housing.
“I am more than happy to cooperate with MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) and even the police.”
Rahman, a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, told reporters this after officiating at the annual Chartered Financial Analysts Summit at the INTEKMA Resort and Convention Centre here.
Rahman served as urban wellbeing, housing and local government minister from May 2013 until June 2016.
On Feb 27, the High Court set aside the order by Rahman to give a 12-month extension to BHL Construction to complete its project.
That decision would have allowed the developer to hand over vacant possession to the buyers in 48 months, against the original 36 months. They would also not have been able to get compensation for the delay.
The High Court had said the minister’s decision to rely on a certain regulation to allow the extension was against the Housing Development (Control & Licensing) Act.
Rahman had earlier said his former ministry would file an appeal against the landmark decision by the High Court.
“What is important right now is for the government to appeal the High Court decision with the ruling that the minister of housing has no locus standi (on the matter),” he said.
At a press conference yesterday, Satees and Marshel said officers from the Bukit Aman commercial crimes department had questioned them on the matter on March 20.
The documents they showed included a letter dated Oct 20, 2014, from BHL Construction to the licensing unit of the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry to request for extension.
They also showed a letter by Mohamad Yusoff Ghazali from the Housing Control section of the ministry rejecting BHL’s request for EOT on Oct 24, and a letter from Faridah Begum KA Abdul Kader to Rahman on Oct 28 asking for the extension. Faridah is said to be Apandi’s wife.
Rahman: No abuse of power over extension granted to developer
Rahman: No abuse of power over extension granted to developer