KUCHING: The federal government’s decision to obtain a RM1.5 billion loan from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to finance low-cost housing projects is illegal and a senior lawyer here has offered his services to any contributor wishing to take the government to court. Baru Bian said his legal firm was willing to represent any EPF member who wished to assert their right to know if the government had breached the law.
“We are very concerned that the federal government is using a RM1.5 billion loan from EPF for low-cost housing projects.
“It is not proper as it (EPF) has got to get the consent from the board. My firm is prepared to look into the matter (of legality).
“Any contributor to the fund has the right to challenge the government in court if he wants to and see whether there is any breach of the law. It is possible (to sue),” he said, adding that it was an
interesting and pertinent concern.
Bian, who is also Ba’Kelalan assemblyman, is a prominent native customary rights (NCR) land lawyer in Sarawak.
According to him, there were many uncertainties with the government taking out the RM1.5 billion loan from EPF.
““It is the concern of the fund contributors as the money is not protected in the collateral sense.
“This type of loan is very uncertain. It reminds us of this present government trying to get hold of any kind of fund such as the Petronas money to salvage certain individuals in high places.
“At the end of the day, we lost the money. We cannot recoup it,” Bian, who is also Sarawak PKR chief, said.
He also accused the government of using the fund indirectly for the purpose of general election.
Joseph Tawie | February 8, 2012
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