Check background of hosts first, govt officials told

The Star 26/4/2002

KUALA LUMPUR: Ministers and government officials must check the background of companies that invite them to officiate at functions, particularly development projects, before consenting to attend such events.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said this was to ensure that the names of these VIPs and ministers would not be abused by these companies to “endorse their projects” to prospective house buyers.

He said these at the launch of Malaysian Property Expo (Mapex) 2002 at the Mid Valley Megamall here yesterday.

He said there might have been cases where some officials had consented to attend these functions without being aware that their hosts were flouting the law.

He was responding to a query from a reporter after being shown an adver- tisement in a local news-paper highlighting a condominium project, which had purportedly carried a picture of a mentri besar as an endorsement.

No advertising license or developer permit number was allegedly placed in the advertisement, which was required by law.

Some 122 developers and financial institutions are participating in Mapex 2002.