MALAYSIA, 28/10/2024 (Asia News Channels) - Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) has initiated a legal suit against a Bumiputera company, alleging the firm misappropriated funds intended for a flight training program. These funds, earmarked for an aviation academy in the Czech Republic, were reportedly never disbursed as required.
MARA confirmed in a statement on Saturday that a writ of summons was filed against the company on June 7, 2022. The government agency is pursuing a total claim of €478,349.14 (approximately RM2.24 million), along with requests for exemplary damages, costs, and accrued interest.
“A judgment of default of defence was obtained against the company (first defendant) and one of its directors (second defendant) on Sept 19, 2022,” the statement reads. “The full trial against the other director (third defendant) has been completed on July 15, 2024, and is fixed for decision on Jan 9, 2025.”
MARA also outlined steps taken to enforce the judgment, including a writ seizure and sale (WSS) issued on January 22, 2024. However, it noted that the company’s assets had already been disposed of. Furthermore, a bankruptcy notice has been filed against the second defendant, according to the agency.
The allegations stem from a police report filed by MARA at the Dang Wangi police station on January 28, 2022. MARA stated that it has since provided full cooperation to the investigation. It emphasized that no reports of misconduct have been made against MARA’s officials by any party involved.
The program affected by the alleged fund mismanagement involved both MARA-sponsored and non-MARA students. According to MARA, 39 students under its sponsorship successfully completed their training. However, previous reports indicated that 50 other aspiring pilots faced training interruptions after the company reportedly failed to disburse funds to the Czech flight academy. Many of these students, including those who were not MARA-sponsored, claimed financial losses due to the company’s actions.
--ASIA NEWS CHANNELS