Apakah perbezaan dan persamaan kes Liong Sik dengan kes Eric Chia? Sama-samalah kita ikuti kes terbaru ini kalau panjang umur.
Tun Ling boleh tidur selesa — Zaid Ibrahim
Bila saya baca pertuduhan terhadap Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik bahawa dia telah menipu Kabinet mengenai harga tanah dari Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd untuk projek PKFZ, saya tidak tahu sama ada patut menangis atau ketawa.
Ini mungkin kali pertama di dunia di 
mana seorang bekas menteri — seorang individu yang berjawatan tinggi di dalam pentadbiran kerajaan — telah dikenakan tuduhan sedemikian. Tetapi di Malaysia, semua boleh.
Mengikut pertuduhan, tanah seluas 1,000 ekar itu bernilai RM25 satu kaki persegi. Tetapi pendakwa akan membuktikan yang Tun Ling tidak memberitahu Kabinet Malaysia bahawa harga itu termasuklah kadar faedah sebanyak 7.5 peratus setiap tahun untuk tempoh pembayaran ansuran selama 15 tahun berdasarkan kaedah deferred payment (bayaran tertangguh). Cerita selanjutnya di SINI
Tanah Percuma Untung Atas Angin Namanya
LPK Buat Laporan Polis Terhadap Kuala Dimensi
Proprietor Of Kuala Dimensi To Sue PKA
TUN LING BOLEH TIDUR SELESA SEPERTI TAN SRI ERIC
SUBSIDI RAKYAT DINAFIKAN
APA SEBENARNYA YANG DIKATAKAN "KRONI DIDAHULUKAN"
Subsidi rakyat dikerat, kroni dibayar RM222.58 juta
Abdul Aziz Mustafa/HARAKAHDAILY
KUALA LUMPUR, 29 Julai: Tindakan kerajaan mengarahkan Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang (LPK) membuat pembayaran RM222.58 juta kepada Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) membuktikan lagi bahawa kepentingan kroni lebih diutamakan berbanding rakyat, kata Naib Presiden PAS, Salahuddin Ayub.
Bernama melaporkan, semasa membuat keputusan itu, kerajaan melalui kenyataan Kementerian Pengangkutan mendakwa telah mengambil kira semua faktor berkaitan termasuk komitmen kerajaan kepada pemegang bon, serta tanggungjawab LPK di bawah perjanjian yang telah ditandatangani.
Salahuddin mempersoalkan, adakah ia merupakan tanggungjawab Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang (LPK) atau tanggungjawab KDSB.
Beliau merujuk kepada laporan mengenai jaminan KDSB bahawa sebarang kekurangan dalam pembayaran semula bon adalah tanggungjawab syarikat tujuan khas itu dan wang rakyat tidak akan digunakan untuk membayarnya.
"Kerajaan perlu menjelaskan, tanggungjawab siapa untuk menanggung bebanan ini? Tanggungjawab rakyat atau KDSB?
"Kalau untuk rakyat, subsidi direntap, dikerat. Kalau untuk kroni, adakah kerajaan senang-senang belanjakan RM222.58 juta walaupun ahli lembaga LPK memutuskan tidak mahu membuat pembayaran tersebut," katanya.
Bagi Ahli Parlimen Kubang Kerian itu, tindakan kerajaan itu menguatkan lagi ingatan rakyat kepada dakwaan salah seorang Ahli Jawatankuasa Pusat MCA, Datuk Tee Lian Ker bahawa ramai tokoh Umno dan MCA yang menerima wang dari Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif KDSB, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
Tiong juga adalah Ahli Parlimen Bintulu dan Pengerusi Kelab Penyokong Barisan Nasional (BNBBC).
"Sebelum ini beria-ia (Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri), Datuk Seri Idris Jala kata subsidi berterusan akan menyebabkan negara ini bankrap sembilan tahun lagi, tetapi pada masa yang sama kerajaan semakin kelihatan membelanjakan wang rakyat dengan sesuka hati," kata Salahuddin lagi.
PKA withhold payment to PKFZ
SEMENTARA ITU......
Bekas menteri pengangkutan, Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik hari ini didakwa di Mahkamah Sesyen Putrajaya atas tuduhan pecah amanah berkaitan skandal Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang (PKFZ).
Ling, 67, juga adalah bekas presiden MCA. Beliau adalah antara ahli politik terkemuka pernah didakwa atas tuduhan rasuah sejak beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini. Selanjutnya di SINI.
PAC syor siasat bekas menteri pengangkutan
PEGAWAI KDSB, ARKITEK & BEKAS GM LPK DIHADAPKAN KE MAHKAMAH (dwibahasa)
Isu PKFZ: Tiga hadapi lebih 30 dakwaan
Isu PKFZ: Tiga hadapi lebih 30 dakwaan
Bekas pengurus besar Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang (LPK), Datin Paduka OC Phang dan dua lagi ditahan hari ini berhubung skandal projek Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang (PKFZ).
Phang tiba di Mahkamah Sesyen Klang hari ini untuk menghadapi
pertuduhan bersama Steven Abok, seorang pegawai tinggi Kuala Dimensi Sdn
Bhd (KDSB) sebagai kontraktor utama PKFZ, dan seorang arkitek Benard Tan Seng Swe.
Pada 9 September lalu, pasukan petugas Kementerian Pengangkutan dilaporkan mengenal pasti berlakunya dakwaan penyelewengan serius oleh kakitangan utama, termasuk bekas menterinya Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy dan juga Phang.
Difahamkan, lebih 30 pertuduhan akan dibacakan terhadap ketiga-tiga individu berkenaan.
====================================================================================
PKFZ: OC Phang, 2 others facing cheating, CBT charges
Former Port Klang Authority general manager OC Phang and two individuals were arrested this morning over the PKFZ scandal.
The two individuals were the chief exeutive officer of Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd Steven Abok and Bernard Tan Seng Swe, a consultatnt architect.
They were brought to the Klang Sessions court in the afternoon and are awaiting charges. They are expected to face more than 30 charges for alleged criminal breach of trust and cheating.
The case is expected to be heard before judge Yong Zaridah Sazali, prosecuted by deputy public prosecutor Manoj Kurup, Dzulkifli Ahmad and Hashley Tajudin.
Phang is represented by lawyer Ng Aik Guan while Tan Hock Chuan is appearing for Abok. Lawyer George Varghese is representing Tan.
Phang, 63, was accompanied by husband and daughter to the court.
Phang was blamed for the ballooning cost of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson Azmi Khalid recommended that Phang and former Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy be investigated for criminal breach of trust over the scandal.
Malaysiakini
FORMER PKA GM NOWHERE TO BE FOUND
Lawyers acting for PKA have been unable to serve the papers of a civil suit filed two months ago.
OC Phang failed to comply with Treasury guidelines, failed to ensure that key agreements entered into by PKA contain adequate terms necessary to safeguard PKA’s interest, and appointing a quantity surveyor which was in a position of conflict of interest due to its association with KDSB.
OC Phang, where are you?
PETALING JAYA (Dec 7, 2009) : Has the former Port Klang Authority (PKA) general manager Datin Paduka Phang Oi Choo (OC Phang) left the country? Lawyers acting for PKA have been unable to serve the papers of a civil suit filed two months ago.
On Oct 8, PKA through its lawyers Skrine & Co filed a suit against Phang for breaches of her fiduciary, contractual and common law duties to PKA over the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) multi-billion ringgit fiasco. It contends that she had failed to exercise due care, diligence and skill in the discharge of her duties as PKA general manager. Among others, failing to comply with Treasury guidelines, failing to ensure that key agreements entered into by PKA contain adequate terms necessary to safeguard PKA’s interest, and appointing a quantity surveyor which was in a position of conflict of interest due to its association with KDSB (Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd), the turnkey developer of PKFZ."
Sources familiar with the case said that several attempts were made to serve the writ at Phang’s last known address in Bukit Bandaraya in Bangsar, but on most occasions, no one was at home.
The summons servers, said the source, were at the house as late as last week and met a young woman who said that Phang would be in on Friday to receive the writ, but again, she was not in when they went there.
Lawyers said that the PKA has no choice but to effect a "substituted service" in the form of newspaper advertisements but have warned that this could take up to two months. They have to prepare documents to convince the court that all attempts to serve the papers have been exhausted.
"The summons servers will have to affirm affidavits giving details of the dates and times they visited the Bukit Bandaraya home and other relevant facts which the court will have to rely on before an order for substituted service can be given," explained one lawyer.
On Sept 25, PKA filed a RM920 million suit against KDSB and BTA Architect over key development and supplementary agreements signed between February 2003 and November 2006. The authority also filed an originating summons with the Civil High Court registry in Shah Alam, seeking a declaration that the increase in the interest rate in respect of a supplementary agreement for additional development works signed in April 2006 is null and void.
R. Nadeswaran/sun2surf
DOKUMEN PKFZ HENDAKLAH DIKELASKAN SEMULA
PKR: Declassify all Cabinet documents on PKFZ
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 05, 2009) : Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) today called the government to declassify all the Cabinet documents relating to the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ).
"It is not enough to just set up a special task force if the task force and even the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) cannot look into the documents, which are classified under Official Secrets Act (OSA)," Selayang MP William Leong told a press conference at Parliament lobby today.
PART 1
PART 2
Showing a copy of a letter dated Nov 20, 2002 from Transport Ministry to Port Klang Authority (PKA) General Manager Datin Paduka O C Phang entitled ‘Suggestion on Purchase of 1000 acres Land in Pulau Indah for the PKA Mega Distribution Hub Project’, he said the it stated the Transport Minister had written to the Prime Minister suggesting that land for the project should be obtained by purchasing it and was allowed to do so.
"The letter says that a note from the Transport Minister on the matter was presented in a Cabinet meeting on Nov 6, 2002," Leong said.
"We and the public want to know what was the content of the note that after presented in the Cabinet meeting, the Cabinet approved the purchase of the land for the Mega Distribution Hub Project bases on certain conditions," he said.
The letter said the purchase should adhere to the conditions agreed between Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) and PKA which include based on willing buyer and willing seller method, price of land for RM25 per sq ft and 15 years repayment period.
"In this parliamentary session, I have asked the Cabinet to explain the reasons for ordering PKFZ to buy 1000acres land for RM25 per sq ft from KDSB and not to acquire the land with market price of RM10 per sq ft based on the PricewaterhouseCooper report," he said.
"But the question was rejected and the reason given was that the Cabinet’s decisions are confidential," Leong said.
He said if the government wants to really get to the bottom of the scandal as they claimed, then it should response well to DAP’s call for declassifying the documents related to PKFZ so that every single wrongdoings can be exposed.
Karen Arukesamy/SUN2SURF
TANAH PERCUMA UNTUNG ATAS ANGIN NAMANYA (DWIBAHASA)
Malaysia Boleh. Semua Boleh. Skandal BMF, Skandal Perwaja Steel, kini Skandal PKFZ.
Kos Tanah Bagi Projek PKFZ 67 Peratus Lebih Tinggi
KUALA LUMPUR, 4 Nov (Bernama) -- Jawatankuasa Kira-Kira Wang Negara (PAC) Rabu melaporkan bahawa kos tanah bagi bagi setiap kaki persegi dalam projek Pembangunan Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Kelang (PKFZ) adalah RM41.76 iaitu 67 peratus lebih tinggi daripada harga RM25 yang ditetapkan oleh Jabatan Penilaian dan Perkhidmatan Harta (JPPH).
Laporan itu menyatakan jika tanah bagi projek itu diperolehi mengikut Akta Pengambilan Tanah 1960, kerajaan hanya perlu membelanjakan RM442.13 juta dan menjimatkan sejumlah RM645.87 juta.
Selain itu, pengenaan kadar faedah sebanyak 7.5 peratus setahun bagi bayaran balik tanah secara tertunda sebelum perjanjian jual beli ditandatangani oleh Pengurus Besar Lembaga Pelabuhan Kelang (LPK) Datin Paduka O.C Phang telah menyebabkan berlaku pengenaan caj dua kali terhadap kerajaan.
Ini kerana semasa JPPH menetapkan harga tanah pada RM25 sekaki persegi, jabatan itu telah mengambil kira faedah sebanyak 7.5 peratus untuk bayaran balik tertunda selama 15 tahun.
PAC juga mendapati bahawa kelulusan dari kerajaan tidak diperolehi berhubung pengenaan kadar faedah tersebut.
"Pengenaan kadar faedah ini menyebabkan LPK perlu membayar kos pembelian tanah berjumlah RM1.088 bilion di samping faedah tambahan berjumlah RM730 juta menjadikan jumlah pembayaran RM1.818 bilion," kata laporan itu.
Menurut laporan itu, Phang dan Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Pengangkutan gagal mematuhi arahan dari kerajaan dan Kementerian Kewangan dalam urusan perolehan tanah itu untuk projek PKFZ.
Selain itu, arahan Ketua Setiausaha Perbendaharaan supaya tanah bagi projek itu diperolehi secara pengambilan balik mengikut Akta Pengambilan Tanah 1960 dan dibiayai melalui peruntukan Kementerian Pengangkutan dan kemudiannya disewa pajak kepada LPK juga tidak dipatuhi.
Jawatankuasa itu juga mendapati tindakan Phang menandatangani perjanjian jual beli termasuk membangunkan infrastruktur bernilai RM1.088 bilion adalah menyalahi peraturan kewangan kerajaan kerana beliau tidak mendapat kelulusan dari Kementerian Kewangan.
Tindakan Phang juga didapati tidak selaras dengan kehendak Port Authorities Act 1963 yang menetapkan bahawa beliau perlu mendapat kelulusan daripada Lembaga Pengarah LPK terlebih dahulu.
Laporan itu juga menyatakan bahawa LPK wajar memastikan bahawa pemaju projek PKFZ iaitu Kuala Dimensi Sendirian Berhad (KDSB) telah melaksanakan semua kerja infrastruktur seperti yang ditetapkan dalam perjanjian jual beli tanah sebelum menjelaskan semua bayaran harga tanah yang akan tamat pada 2017.
Jawatankuasa itu turut mendapati pelantikan KDSB sebagai pemaju oleh LPK tidak dibuat secara teratur kerana Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Pengangkutan dan Pengurus Besar LPK itu gagal mematuhi arahan Kementerian Kewangan berhubung perkara itu.
KDSB telah dilantik sebagai kontraktor oleh LPK bagi projek pembangunan PKFZ secara rundingan terus.
Laporan itu menyatakan bahawa pada Jun 2001, Kementerian Kewangan menetapkan kontrak kerja pembangunan dibuat secara tender terbuka dan kos pembangunan projek PKFZ dibiayai melalui terbitan bon jangka panjang dengan jaminan kerajaan.
Perjanjian jual beli tanah yang ditandatangani KDSB dan LPK pada November 2002 juga mensyaratkan KDSB dilantik sebagai kontraktor pembangunan PKFZ walau pun kelulusan dari Kementerian Kewangan tidak diperolehi untuk dikecualikan dari proses tender.
Menurut laporan itu, kelulusan dari Kementerian Kewangan adalah perlu bagi membolehkan tapisan dibuat untuk menentukan tahap keupayaan kewangan dan kepakaran KDSB melaksanakan projek yang melibatkan perbelanjaan yang begitu besar.
"Kegagalan Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Pengangkutan dan Pengurus Besar LPK mematuhi arahan Kementerian Kewangan dan memohon kelulusan dari kerajaan berhubung dengan pelantikan KDSB sebagai pemaju projek adalah merupakan satu kesalahan dan tindakan undang-undang perlu diambil terhadap mereka," syor laporan itu.
-- BERNAMA
Price Of PKFZ Land Cost 67 Per Cent More Than Valued Worth, Says PAC
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday reported that the cost of per sq ft of land for the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project was RM41.76 which was 67 per cent higher than the RM25 fixed by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH).
The report said that if the land had been acquired in accordance to the Land Acquisition Act 1960, the government would have had to spend only RM442.13 million and saved RM645.87 million.
Besides that, the imposition of a 7.5 per cent annual interest rate on delayed payment for the land, before the signing of a sale and purchase agreement by the general manager of Port Klang Authority (PKA) Datin Paduka O.C Phang, had also resulted in a double charge for the government.
This is because when JPPH had fixed the land price at RM25 per sq ft, it had taken into account an interest payment of 7.5 per cent for the delayed payment for up to 15 years.
PAC also found that approval was not received from the government on the interest rate charge.
"This interest rate charge caused PKA to pay a land purchase cost of RM1.088 billion besides additional interest of RM730 million, bringing the total payment to RM1.818 billion," the report said.
Phang and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Transport had failed to heed instructions from the government and the Finance Ministry in acquiring the land for the PKFZ project, it further said.
Apart from that, a directive from the Treasury Secretary General, that the land for the project is acquired by way of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 and financed through allocation for the Transport Ministry and leased back to PKA later on, was also not followed.
PAC also found that Phang's action to sign a sale and purchase agreement including the development of an infrastructure worth RM1.088 billion was against the government's financial regulations as he had not received the approval from the Finance Ministry.
Phang's action was also not in line with the Port Authorities Act 1963 requirement for him to get prior approval from PKA.
It was also imperative for PKA to ensure that the developer of the project, Kuala Dimensi Sendirian Bhd (KDSB) had carried out all the infrastructure works as determined in the sale and purchase agreement before settling the land payments which will end in 2017.
The committee also found that the appointment of KDSB as the developer by PKA was not done in a proper manner as the Transport Ministry Secretary General and General Manager of PKA had failed to follow the instruction of the Finance Ministry on the matter.
KDSB was appointed as the project contractor by PKA via direct negotiations.
In June 2001, the Finance Ministry had ordered that the contract for the project's building works is given out through open tender and the cost of developing the project financed through the issuance of government guaranteed long term bonds.
The sale and purchase agreement signed by KDSB and PKA in November 2002 also had the condition that KDSB is appointed as the development contractor for PKFZ although approval from the Finance Ministry had not been obtained for exemption from the tender process.
According to the report, approval from the Finance Ministry would have been required to carry out due dilligence to ascertain the financial capability and expertise of KDSB to carry out a project involving such a huge sum.
"The failure by Transport Ministry Secretary General and PKA General Manager to follow the instruction of the Finance Ministry and seek approval from the government on the appointment of KDSB as the project developer is an offence and legal action needs to be taken against them," the report said.
-- BERNAMA
SURAT SOKONGAN DAN AKUJANJI YANG MEMBAWA PADAH (DWIBAHASA)
Laporan PAC yang diketuai Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid juga berpendapat surat akujanji yang dikeluarkan oleh Phang adalah bertentangan dengan keputusan kerajaan kerana semasa meluluskan projek PKFZ, kerajaan telah memutuskan supaya ia dibiayai sendiri oleh LPK.
PAC Syor SPRM Siasat Kong Choy, Phang
KUALA LUMPUR, 4 Nov (Bernama) -- Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Awam mengesyorkan Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia dan polis menyiasat bekas Menteri Pengangkutan Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy ( FOTO KANAN) dan bekas pengurus besar Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang Phang Datuk Paduka O.C.Phang (FOTO KIRI) kerana pecah amanah berhubung tiga surat sokongan dan surat akujanji untuk projek Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang.
-- BERNAMA
PAC syor siasat menteri pengangkutan
Tindakan Chan dan Phang juga boleh disabitkan dengan kesalahan jenayah pecah amanah di bawah Seksyen 409 yang dibaca bersama Seksyen 409B Kanun Keseksaan.
Seksyen 409 Kanun Keseksaan memperuntukkan hukuman minimum dua tahun maksimum 20 tahun, dan dengan sebat, dan boleh juga dikenakan hukuman denda jika sabit kesalahan.
Laporan PAC yang diketuai Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid juga berpendapat surat akujanji yang dikeluarkan oleh Phang adalah bertentangan dengan keputusan kerajaan kerana semasa meluluskan projek PKFZ, kerajaan telah memutuskan supaya ia dibiayai sendiri oleh LPK.
"Jawatankuasa dimaklumkan oleh Peguam Negara bahawa tiga surat sokongan yang dikeluarkan oleh Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, (bekas) Menteri Pengangkutan dan ketiga-tiga surat akujanji yang dikeluarkan oleh Pengurus Besar LPK (Lembaga Pelabuhan Kelang) secara tersirat atau bersifat jaminan daripada kerajaan yang meletakkan tanggungan ke atas kerajaan untuk memastikan ada peruntukan yang membolehkan LPK memenuhi obligasinya di bawah Perjanjian Pembangunan.
"Oleh itu, siasatan rapi perlu dibuat oleh Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia/Polis Diraja Malaysia terhadap perkara ini kerana ia dikeluarkan tanpa kelulusan daripada Kementerian Kewangan sepertimana yang dikehendaki di bawah Seksyen 14(1) Akta Tatacara Kewangan 1957," kata laporan itu.
LAPORAN PENUH DI SINI
10 implicated in PAC's probe of PKFZ
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 3, 2009) : More than 10 senior officials and ex-ministers will be implicated in the Public Accounts Committee's report on the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) multi-billion ringgit fiasco to be tabled in Parliament tomorrow.
PAC member Tony Pua told reporters in the Parliament lobby today that PAC knows the Cabinet received a report on PKFZ and that "many ministers are accountable because no action was taken based on the report".
"However, there are one or two (ex) ministers who had heavier and specific responsibilities to act and did not," Pua said referring to the "leaked" cabinet papers on the PKFZ showing that the government was aware of all the problems.
Declining to name the officials, he told reporters to wait for the report to be tabled first.
"We hope that stern and swift action are taken by the government so that such wastage of public funds will not recur," he said.
It was earlier reported that a former transport minister was named for alleged criminal breach of trust, as were senior civil servants from the ministry and the Port Klang Authority (PKA), most of whom have retired since.
Several members of the PKA’s board of directors were also named in the report.
The findings, said to be between 15 pages and 20 pages long, alleges the project had breached several guidelines listed by the Treasury in 2001 and that the evidence of overbilling by PKFZ turnkey developer Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd were consistent with those revealed by a task force set up by the Transport Ministry to probe the project.
SUN2SURF
NADESWARAN A.K.A CITIZEN NADES TERBIT BUKU TENTANG SKANDAL PKFZ
Tahniah dan syabas diucapkan kepada Editor akhbar the Sun bahagian laporan khas dan siasatan kerana berjaya menulis dan menerbitkan buku setebal 230 halaman yang menceritakan pengalaman dan hasil siasatan mengenai PKFZ beliau sejak 2004 yang mana sesetengah hasil siasatan berkenaan tidak boleh dimuatkan dalam akhbar the Sun. Foto: Nades berbaju T hitam.
"The book contains an amazing collection of facts, reports and original documents that could not be published in theSun," Nadeswaran said. The 230-page book recounted how Nadeswaran got involved in the PKFZ story in 2004, and takes the reader on a journey to an era long before the PKFZ was conceived to the present day.
Citizen Nades's book on PKFZ launched
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 16, 2009): For a man who had spent 40 years of his life writing about corruption, today was an "emotional day".
It was also a proud day for theSun's editor for special reports and investigation R. Nadeswaran, a.k.a Citizen Nades, who saw the launch of his first book titled "PKFZ: Some Untold Stories" that contained details of how he broke one of the greatest investigative story in recent times, the multi-billion fiasco that is the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ).
Former Court of Appeals judge Datuk V. C. George launched the book at the Royal Selangor Club Sports Annex in Bukit Kiara, witnessed by over 200 of Nadeswaran's friends and fans. Some 450 books were sold on the spot, with some people buying in bulk.
The book was launched in commemoration of Nadeswaran's daughter, Sumitra, who died exactly five years ago in a car accident. She was 19.
"Today is a very emotional day of me," said Nadeswaran, thanking the people who had made investigating the PKFZ project and publishing the book possible.
It was emotional because the book is dedicated to his late daughter Sumitra who had wanted to study law as she was inspired by his journalism work.
After the launch, Nadeswaran signed copies of his book for guests but left soon after to attend a ceremony held to mark Sumitra's death anniversary.
George, who lived in the same neighbourhood in Klang as Nadeswaran, said of the writer: "Nades is a well-deserved representation of the nation's conscience. He writes in the manner in which he speaks -- impatiently, incisively and passionately."
"The book contains an amazing collection of facts, reports and original documents that could not be published in theSun," he said.
Terence Fernandez, who is Nadeswaran's deputy editor and edited the book, recounted the author's career and thanked the individuals that had helped in making the book possible. He also spoke how Sumitra meant the world to Nadeswaran.
The 230-page book recounted how Nadeswaran got involved in the PKFZ story in 2004, and takes the reader on a journey to an era long before the PKFZ was conceived to the present day.
The project, which started out as RM2 billion project but may cost taxpayers up to RM12 billion, including interest, if not managed properly, is still being investigated and to this day, nobody has been charged in a court of law.
Liew Shan Verne/sun2surf
KUALA DIMENSI SERTA ARKITEKNYA DISAMAN RM920 JUTA (DWIBAHASA)
Pengerusi LPK Datuk Lee Hwa Beng memfailkan saman untuk relief termasuk antara lain pembatalan semua perjanjian pembangunan dan satu pengisytiharan bahawa KDSB hanya layak dibayar dengan nilai kerja yang munasabah dilakukan dengan sewajarnya
Alternatif, beliau meminta satu pengisytiharan bahawa semua notis pembayaran yang dikeluarkan oleh KDSB adalah batal dan tidak sah.
Kuala Dimensi Dan BTA Architect Disaman RM920 Juta
SHAH ALAM, 25 Sept (Bernama) -- Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang (LPK) memfailkan saman RM920 juta terhadap kontraktor siap guna untuk Zon Pelabuhan Bebas Pelabuhan Klang (PKFZ), Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) dan konsultan yang dilantik bagi projek itu BTA Architect, dalam aspek pembangunan utama dan perjanjian tambahan yang ditandatangani antara Februari 2003 dan November 2006.
Pengerusi LPK Datuk Lee Hwa Beng memfailkan saman itu sendiri di pejabat pendaftar Mahkamah Tinggi Sivil di sini pagi ini. Bagaimanapun beliau enggan memberikan salinan kedua-dua saman itu kepada media.
Dalam kenyataan media beliau, Lee berkata saman itu difailkan untuk relief termasuk antara lain pembatalan semua perjanjian pembangunan dan satu pengisytiharan bahawa KDSB hanya layak dibayar dengan nilai kerja yang munasabah dilakukan dengan sewajarnya
Alternatif, beliau meminta satu pengisytiharan bahawa semua notis pembayaran yang dikeluarkan oleh KDSB adalah batal dan tidak sah.
Lee juga secara alternatif meminta satu pengisytiharan bahawa KDSB tidak layak, dan bahawa PKA tidak diwajibkan membayar KDSB tuntutan berjumlah RM836,758,459.92 di mana KDSB telah lakukan untuk kerja-kerja perparitan dan membekalkan air, permulaan bayaran profesional, masing-masing bagi pelbagai kerja di bawah perjanjian pembangunan itu.
Alternatif, beliau meminta satu perintah bahawa kerja-kerja yang dijalankan oleh KDSB dikaji semula oleh sebuah konsultan bebas yang dilantik mahkamah dan bayaran permulaan dan profesional dinilai oleh mahkamah berkenaan.
Lee juga meminta faedah, ganti rugi umum dan kos mengenai satu asas indemniti dan ganti rugi kerana penipuan dan salah tafsiran kecuaian, faedah, kos, ganti rugi disebabkan bersubahat dan relief lain yang difikirkan sesuai dan wajar oleh mahkamah.
Menurut kenyataan media, Lee berkata LPK juga memfailkan satu saman permulaan di pejabat pendaftar Mahkamah Tinggi Sivil di sini, meminta satu pengisytiharan bahawa kenaikan dalam kadar faedah dari lima peratus kepada 7.5 peratus setahun berkaitan perjanjian tambahan untuk kerja-kerja tambahan pembangunan yang ditandatangani pada April 2006 adalah batal dan tidak sah.
Beliau berkata jumlah amaun yang dipertikaikan kini kira-kira RM1.64 bilion termasuk RM720 juta saman yang difailkan oleh LPK di pejabat pendaftar Mahkamah Tinggi Sivil di sini pada 18 Sept.
"Lembaga LPK sedar dengan tugasnya untuk melakukan apa yang betul untuk lembaga pelabuhan itu dan menjalankan tugasnya dalam cara yang sesuai dan wajar," menurut kenyataan itu.
KDSB dilantik oleh LPK pada 2003 bagi membangunkan PKFZ di tapak seluas 405 hektar bersebelahan dengan Pelabuhan Utara di Klang.
Syarikat itu menjadi tumpuan baru-baru ini berikutan dakwaan mengenakan caj berlebihan terhadap LPK bagi projek PKFZ, menyebabkan lembaga tersebut dan projek berkenaan menanggung kerugian.
-- BERNAMA
==================================================================================
PKA sues KDSB, BTA Architect for RM920mil
SHAH ALAM (Sept 25, 2009): The Port Klang Authority (PKA) has filed RM920 million suits against Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB), the turnkey contractor for the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ), and the project consultant, BTA Architect, over key development and supplemental agreements signed between February 2003 and November 2006.
PKA chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng Lee filed the suits himself at the Civil High Court registry here today. However he refused to give copies of the two suits to the media.
Lee, in a statement, said that the suits were filed for relief, including for rescission of all the development agreements, and a declaration that KDSB is only entitled to be paid the reasonable value of work properly done.
Alternatively, Lee seeks a declaration that all notices of payments issued by KDSB are null and void.
He also alternatively seeks a declaration that KDSB is not entitled to, and PKA is not obliged to pay KDSB, the claims totalling RM836,758,459.92 which KDSB had made for the monsoon drain and water supply works, preliminaries, professional fees and variation works respectively under the development agreements.
Alternatively, he seeks an order that the works carried out by KDSB be remeasured by an independent consultant appointed by the court and the preliminaries and professional fees payable be assessed by the court.
Lee also seeks interest, general damages and costs on an indemnity basis and damages for fraud and negligent misrepresentation, interest, costs, damages for conspiracy and any other relief deemed fit by the court.
He said PKA had also filed an originating summons at Civil High Court registry here to seek a declaration that the increase in the interest rate from five percent to 7.5% per annum in respect of a supplementary agreement for additional development works signed in April 2006 is null and void.
The total disputed amount at present totalled around RM1.64 billion, including the RM720 million suit filed by PKA on Sept 18, he said.
"The PKA board is conscious of its duty to do what is right for the port authority and to exercise its duty in an appropriate manner," he added.
KDSB was appointed by PKA in 2003 to develop the PKFZ on a 405ha site adjacent to the North Port in Klang.
The company was embroiled in a controversy after it was alleged to have over-charged PKA for the PKFZ project, causing PKA and the project severe losses.
- Bernama
BERKAITAN: PKA FILING TWO MORE SUITS AGAINST KUALA DIMENSI
PKA IS AGGRIEVED PARTY & SEEK REDRESS
Faizal Abdullah (pic left) accuses Port Klang Authority as having “tramples and revokes the laws of contract or agreement in Malaysia when necessary”.
PKA chairman refutes KDSB deputy CEO's allegations
Datuk Lee Hwa Beng pic right.
PETALING JAYA (Sept 23, 2009): Datuk Lee Hwa Beng has refuted allegations by Port Klang Free Trade Zone (PKFZ) turnkey contractor Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd that the Port Klang Authority (PKA) has breached its contract.
In a statement released today, Lee, who is PKA chairman, said the allegations by the deputy CEO of KDSB Faizal Abdullah, the port authority “tramples and revokes the laws of contract or agreement in Malaysia when necessary” are misleading and inappropriate.
"PKA is an aggrieved party in the PKFZ project and has been advised by its lawyers to seek legal remedies in the court of law. The issue of whether PKA is about to breach a contract, as Faizal claimed, does not arise.
"The suit filed last week was part and parcel of the legal actions approved by the Board of PKA to exercise its legal rights arising from wrong imposition and calculation of fees, and fraudulent, wrongful and irregular claims," Lee said.
Lee said as the matter is now before the court - which is the appropriate forum to decide on the extent of liabilities of the relevant parties - it is not appropriate for him to comment further on the subject.
"KDSB will have its day in court and should refrain from giving misleading statements to the press. Failure to act by the PKA Board would be tantamount to failure on the part of the board members to carry out the fiduciary duties which they have been entrusted with and expected to perform without fear or favour," he added.
sun2surf
