Post by Wes on Dec 21, 2005 11:46:36 GMT 8
was all quiet on the Durai front yesterday afternoon, hours after KPMG's shocking report on the workings of the old NKF.
A few cars drove in and out of Mr T T Durai's residence along Fort Road but he could not be contacted.
We made no fewer than eight visits to Mr Durai's residence to get his side of the story, ever since he backed out midway during the trial in July.
But he was not available and those at his residence could not help.
An elderly lady brusquely asked our photographer what he wanted when he walked past the house.
On an earlier visit to the black-and-white bungalow, a polite young man introduced himself as Mr Durai's son. He asked us to wait as he went to get his mother.
JUST SMILED
The petite, attractive lady, who said she was Mrs Durai, only smiled as she listened to our request to speak to her husband.
Then a group of men and women came out of the house. One introduced himself as a doctor before asking us what we wanted. He turned down our request for an interview and we were escorted out by two women, one of whom got rather emotional as she told us off. Her friend then told her to keep quiet, and apologised on her behalf.
So where is Mr Durai?
His lawyer's voice can be heard in some technical responses to the KPMG report.
Mr Durai himself was interviewed by the auditors for his responses. The interviews were conducted, over 1 1/2 days last month. Lawyers were present and every word was tape-recorded.
But the thousands of old NKF donors want to hear more from the man himself.
They want to hear from him personally.
The KPMG report paints an astonishing story of big bucks, perks and power.
It alleges that Mr Durai got more than his stated pay.
The auditors allege that while Mr Durai, who headed the charitable body, may have 'altruistically refused to accept bonuses and salary increments', he had actually 'got much more while appearing to accept less'.
And he did this through various creative means.
Mr Durai's reply to the auditors: There was never any intention by himself or any member of the former board or exco, as the case may be, to surreptitiously pay him more than what he appeared to be accepting.
Then, please explain the back pay scheme and bonuses, Mr Durai.
Not to mention the other expenses, the travel, the meteoric promotions for certain employees.
So many questions, but not enough answers.
Mr Durai, you told the auditors you still believe that all that you did was for NKF's cause.
Do you still think so in the light of these findings?
Please tell us.
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Promotions & raises at will
Certain employees given promotions and increments as often as once every month, or two months. One employee's pay (not named) raised from $9,000 to $13,000.
Ms Matilda Chua's pay went up from $9,000 to $12,500 in a matter of five months. When she left, she was paid $75,000 as bonus and another $75,000 ex gratia.
Insurance
He used NKF funds for his personal multi-million dollar personal accident insurance policies. NKF paid over $60,000 in premiums.
Air travel
The probe found that Mr Durai, the board and senior volunteers spent nearly $322,000 of NKF funds on air tickets between Feb 2004 and June 2005. Most of which were for first-class travel.
'Personal relationship' contracts
The report also charged that Mr Durai approved, or recommended, NKF's business contracts to companies that were related to NKF volunteers or directors. Two of those contracts, worth $7.5 million, resulted in a loss of over $4 million to NKF.
Trip to Las Vegas
Last year, there was even a $70,000 'study trip' to Las Vegas for six of NKF's employees, including Mr Durai and a former board member, to attend concerts and shows there, to get ideas for its own charity shows.
Leave turned to cash
In 1999, his leave was upped to 'one calendar month' by the board, and back dated for seven years from the time he was appointed CEO. Mr Durai converted the extra days to cash as 'unused leave'. Total encashed between 1995 and 2003: $350,000.
Company car
Mr Durai got this, plus a chauffeur, used for both official and personal matters.
Back-dated pay
Paid $12,000 a month when appointed as CEO in 1992. Three years later, pay goes up to $18,000 a month. Pay rise back-dated half a year. Total back pay: $36,000.
Plus: $30,000 as bonus ''top-up''.
In 1997, his pay goes up to $25,000. Back-dated some 11 months. Total back pay: $77,000.
A few cars drove in and out of Mr T T Durai's residence along Fort Road but he could not be contacted.
We made no fewer than eight visits to Mr Durai's residence to get his side of the story, ever since he backed out midway during the trial in July.
But he was not available and those at his residence could not help.
An elderly lady brusquely asked our photographer what he wanted when he walked past the house.
On an earlier visit to the black-and-white bungalow, a polite young man introduced himself as Mr Durai's son. He asked us to wait as he went to get his mother.
JUST SMILED
The petite, attractive lady, who said she was Mrs Durai, only smiled as she listened to our request to speak to her husband.
Then a group of men and women came out of the house. One introduced himself as a doctor before asking us what we wanted. He turned down our request for an interview and we were escorted out by two women, one of whom got rather emotional as she told us off. Her friend then told her to keep quiet, and apologised on her behalf.
So where is Mr Durai?
His lawyer's voice can be heard in some technical responses to the KPMG report.
Mr Durai himself was interviewed by the auditors for his responses. The interviews were conducted, over 1 1/2 days last month. Lawyers were present and every word was tape-recorded.
But the thousands of old NKF donors want to hear more from the man himself.
They want to hear from him personally.
The KPMG report paints an astonishing story of big bucks, perks and power.
It alleges that Mr Durai got more than his stated pay.
The auditors allege that while Mr Durai, who headed the charitable body, may have 'altruistically refused to accept bonuses and salary increments', he had actually 'got much more while appearing to accept less'.
And he did this through various creative means.
Mr Durai's reply to the auditors: There was never any intention by himself or any member of the former board or exco, as the case may be, to surreptitiously pay him more than what he appeared to be accepting.
Then, please explain the back pay scheme and bonuses, Mr Durai.
Not to mention the other expenses, the travel, the meteoric promotions for certain employees.
So many questions, but not enough answers.
Mr Durai, you told the auditors you still believe that all that you did was for NKF's cause.
Do you still think so in the light of these findings?
Please tell us.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Promotions & raises at will
Certain employees given promotions and increments as often as once every month, or two months. One employee's pay (not named) raised from $9,000 to $13,000.
Ms Matilda Chua's pay went up from $9,000 to $12,500 in a matter of five months. When she left, she was paid $75,000 as bonus and another $75,000 ex gratia.
Insurance
He used NKF funds for his personal multi-million dollar personal accident insurance policies. NKF paid over $60,000 in premiums.
Air travel
The probe found that Mr Durai, the board and senior volunteers spent nearly $322,000 of NKF funds on air tickets between Feb 2004 and June 2005. Most of which were for first-class travel.
'Personal relationship' contracts
The report also charged that Mr Durai approved, or recommended, NKF's business contracts to companies that were related to NKF volunteers or directors. Two of those contracts, worth $7.5 million, resulted in a loss of over $4 million to NKF.
Trip to Las Vegas
Last year, there was even a $70,000 'study trip' to Las Vegas for six of NKF's employees, including Mr Durai and a former board member, to attend concerts and shows there, to get ideas for its own charity shows.
Leave turned to cash
In 1999, his leave was upped to 'one calendar month' by the board, and back dated for seven years from the time he was appointed CEO. Mr Durai converted the extra days to cash as 'unused leave'. Total encashed between 1995 and 2003: $350,000.
Company car
Mr Durai got this, plus a chauffeur, used for both official and personal matters.
Back-dated pay
Paid $12,000 a month when appointed as CEO in 1992. Three years later, pay goes up to $18,000 a month. Pay rise back-dated half a year. Total back pay: $36,000.
Plus: $30,000 as bonus ''top-up''.
In 1997, his pay goes up to $25,000. Back-dated some 11 months. Total back pay: $77,000.
hehheee..
