1MDB Real Estate warns of fake project manager

KUALA LUMPUR: 1Malaysia Development Bhd’s wholly-owned subsidiary 1MDB Real Estate Sdn Bhd (1MDB RE), the master developer for the Bandar Malaysia and Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) developments, has warned that a third party not linked to or authorised by 1MDB or the government is purporting to be the project manager for the two developments.
1MDB RE said the third party, called Khidmat Runding Jatipadu, has issued letters for offer of appointment without the authorisation of 1MDB and its subsidiaries and the government to companies to participate in the projects.
“Khidmat Runding Jatipadu has issued letters bearing the government of Malaysia logo under the letterhead of Perbadanan Bandar Malaysia. Based on our verification, Perbadanan Bandar Malaysia does not exist and the logo of the government has been improperly obtained. Furthermore, the addresses provided of Khidmat Runding Jatipadu in the said letters are not occupied by their office. These fake letters were brought to our attention by certain of its recipients, with an offer to appoint them as joint developer or consultant accordingly for a financial district project in Sungai Besi,” 1MDB RE said in a statement.
It added that the fake letters also requested companies submit their company registration, profile and financial statement, along with payment in the form of a bank draft or company cheque.
“Both these strategic national development projects are being managed solely by 1MDB RE,” said the company.
In relation to Bandar Malaysia, 1MDB RE has only authorised the real estate services company CH Williams Talhar and Wong (WTW), to approach third parties for proposals. WTW are the appointed transaction adviser for the Bandar Malaysia request for proposal process. This process began in June and has successfully closed this month.
The TRX development is not currently running a process seeking joint developers or consultants.
“1MDB RE has lodged reports on the matter with the relevant authorities. The said offer letters are fake and its issuance not authorised by 1MDB and its subsidiaries and the government.”
It encouraged companies that have received the invitation to notify info@bandarmalaysia.my and urged companies to check any such notices against the information available on www.1mdb.com.my or www.bandarmalaysia.my.