Balkis Dissolved According To Constitution, Says Zahrah

SHAH ALAM, April 27 (Bernama)

The wife of former Selangor menteri besar, Datin Seri Zahrah Kechik, said Sunday that the dissolution of the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis) was according to its constitution.

The dissolution took place on March 11 before Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim was sworn-in as Selangor Menteri Besar on March 13, she told a press conference here.

"It means, I was the president at the time and had not relinguished the president's post. Therefore, the question of me not having to power to chair the general meeting called for the purpose Balkis' dissolution does not arise," she said.

She said Balkis was dissolved with the consent of over two-thirds its ordinary members during the special general meeting which was called by more than one-fifths of its ordinary members.

"The special general meeting and Balkis' dissolution were in line with Article 15(1) and 12 of Balkis Constitution and minutes of the meeting can confirm that all legal provisions have been complied with," she said.

Following the dissolution, Balkis' funds totalling RM9.9 million were transferred to the Wives of Ministers Welfare and Charity Organisation (Bakti) according to Article 15(2) of Balkis Constitution, Zahrah said.

"All decisions relating to the dissolution and donation of Balkis' money were made by ordinary members during an extraordinary general meeting and it was not my decision as the president or the Balkis committee's decision, and they were made by complying all legal provisions," she said.

She hoped that with the explanation, no one would make baseless accusations and slanders. Legal action would be taken of they did, she said.

Yesterday, Khalid requested for Balkis' dissolution to be withdrawn and the RM9.9 million transferred to Bakti to be returned.

Zahrah said that under Article 8 of Balkis constitution, the organisation could receive contributions from the government and government-linked companies.

"When Balkis received a contribution, it became Balkis'. Therefore, the question of the money being channelled out or returned to the government or any government-linked companies does not arise," she said.

Zahrah husband, Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo, who was present at the press conference said the state government should talk to the legal firm appointed by Balkis, Sallehudin & Co, if it was not satisfied with the issue.

Getting a legal advice would be better, he said.

"They are trying to politicise the issue and do not read Balkis Constitution correctly," he said.

He said the RM9.9 million was donated specially for students adopted by Balkis and it was transferred straight to Bakti following Balkis' dissolution and Bakti gave a written reply that it had received the money.

A newspaper report which said the money went to the account of a third party before it was tranferred to Bakti was incorrect, he said.

He said Balkis account for 2007 had been audited and under Balkis Constitution, it had the right to tranfer funds without the auditor's approval.

-- BERNAMA