Sanusi plans to sue those trying to smear KFA's name

ALOR SETAR - The Kedah Football Association (KFA) plans to take legal action against individuals attempting to tarnish its reputation by making corruption allegations against it.

KFA president Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said he will serve the legal papers to those involved soon.

"Those who attempted to link the association to the RM6 million corruption allegation will face legal action as soon as possible," he said in a statement, today.

The Kedah Menteri Besar said the allegations were deliberately made by certain parties for political gains aiming to discredit KFA and the state government leaders.

Meanwhile, Sanusi has come forward to disclose several related documents to clarify the truth to the matter.

It involved documents related to the privatisation of the Kedah Darul Aman FC (KDA FC), a loan application of RM5 million, a repayment of RM1.3 million, applications for projects by the parties involved that were not approved due to lack of qualifications and audited financial statements showing transparency in KFA's financial management.

"I presented supporting documents as evidence, except for the RM1.3 million loan repayment demand letter, which is currently in the possession of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for investigation," he said.

He said in 2020, Tulangis Sdn Bhd represented by Datuk Mohd Hazarul Ifdaz expressed interest to own a share in the Darulaman Football Club Sdn Bhd (DAFC).

"On the basis of transparency, negotiations over the share ownership offer took place and Tulangis agreed to provide a RM5 million loan as a commitment to the RM30 million share purchase.

“A total of RM5 million was deposited into KFA's account that year (2020), but subsequent negotiations failed to reach an agreement after KFA found issues with the company, leading to the immediate termination of the negotiation process," he explained.

He said the company then demanded repayment of a portion of the loan amounting to RM1.3 million from the RM5 million loan based on KFA's current financial capacity.

"At the same time, Berjaya Corporation Berhad claimed that the RM5 million was their money. The RM5 million was given by Berjaya Corporation Berhad to Tulangis to facilitate approval for collaboration to implement/extend the water treatment supply concession on behalf of another company.

“Berjaya Corporation Berhad, having never dealt with KFA, also demanded the money given to Tulangis.

“A copy of the repayment demand letter was provided to KFA," he said.

Sanusi emphasised that there was no misappropriation or breach of trust involving the RM6 million because the loan amount was RM5 million.

"The party committing fraud is Tulangis and the one deceived by promises of a project was Berjaya Corporation Berhad. The party promising projects to Berjaya Corporation Berhad is Tulangis, not KFA.

“Tulangis also hoped to be awarded a project to develop a racing circuit, but the assessment by the Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) as the developer and landowner showed that the company lacked the capability," he said.

He further noted that both companies did not receive any expected projects despite providing a loan to KFA.

"Granting any state government-related projects to creditors or contributors is beyond the scope of KFA.

"There is no misuse, embezzlement or malpractice for personal gain by any party within KFA, all funds were entirely spent for KFA.

"The case is being investigated for not granting a project, when corruption cases usually involve the giving of money or projects.

"This is the plot I am referring to—fabricating nonexistent circumstances," he said.

On Thursday, it was reported that Sanusi had completed giving a statement after three hours at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya to assist in the investigation of the RM6 million corruption allegation involving KFA.

The investigation was launched after the MACC received a report from a contractor who claimed to have been promised a project in Kedah, if it channeled funds to the state football association, but did not receive it after doing so.

However, Sanusi previously claimed that he was targeted by certain parties on the corruption allegation plot in KFA. He also asserted that there were other individuals who should be held accountable and not the four individuals arrested by the MACC.