Return cash, Khir's wife told

The Selangor Menteri Besar is offering an olive branch to Datin Seri Zahrah Kecik to help resolve the issue of the missing RM9.9 million.

Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim wants Datin Seri Zahara to give back the RM9.9mil, withdraw the application to dissolve the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis) and the matter is settled.

This, according to Tan Sri Khalid, is the best offer to Datin Seri Zahrah who was the organisation's head when she and the other members decided to transfer the RM9.9 million from its coffers after Barisan Nasional lost the state during the March general election.

The group also decided to dissolve the organisation.

Khalid said his offer was the best solution to resolve the controversy.

“If not, the state will pursue the matter because the people want us to be correct. If there has been misconduct, then justice will take its course,” he told reporters yesterday.

The issue blew up when it was revealed that Balkis, lead by Zahrah, who is the wife of former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, transferred RM9.9mil to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) three days after the state fell to Pakatan Rakyat. Click here for more

Did Balkis have the right to move out the RM9.9m?

Questions are being asked whether it was correct for the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis) to transfer out the RM9.9mil it had in its coffers a few days after the state fell to the Opposition.

Defending the money transfer, then president Datin Seri Zahrah Kechik(pix. left) said she had the legal right because her husband Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo was still the caretaker Selangor Mentri Besar at that time.

Dr Mohd Khir said the money was “temporarily transferred” to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) to ensure the money would be spent according to Balkis' purpose, namely for the welfare of children.

The state government, however, is questioning the transfer of the money and seeking legal advice. It has also asked the Registrar of Societies to put on hold the dissolution of Balkis, which the committee, led by Zahrah, also unanimously decided to do.

The Bar Council is of the opinion that Balkis' action could be tantamount to criminal breach of trust.

Source - The Star

Background: According to The Sun's R Nadeswaran and Terence Fernandez, Zaharah convened an extraordinary general meeting on March 11 (three days after the general election), of the committee "to dissolve Balkis and close its bank accounts. "

The following day, the accounts were closed, with the money transferred to another account and then to Bakti – the federal Organisation of Wives of Ministers which Balkis is affiliated to.