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
SUBSIDI RAKYAT DINAFIKAN
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
RAYUAN DERMA DANA BANTU TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL YANG DISAMAN OLEH TIONG
Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) merayu kepada Rakyat Malaysia agar bermurah hati menghulurkan derma untuk dana bagi tujuan membantu Presidennya Datuk paul Low (foto kiri) yang telah disaman oleh Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, CEO pemaju PKFZ iaitu Kuala Dimensi Sendirian Berhad di atas laporan TI-M yang menyifatkan Projek Port Klang Free Zone "one of the biggest scandals of the year".
TI-Malaysia calls for public to support sued President
PETALING JAYA (Nov 24, 2009): Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) is appealing to the public to support a legal fund being set up to help its president, Datuk Paul Low who has been sued by Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing for defamation over a TI-M report that called the Port Klang Free Zone project "one of the biggest scandals of the year".
"TI-M hopes that the public will support the legal defence fund, so that we will not be hampered or deterred in its crucial work," said TI-M secretary general C I Ngooi in a press release today,.
Ngooi added that the fund had been "overwhelmingly" supported in a TI-M Emergency General Meeting on Nov 7 this year to back the controversial 2009 Global Corruption Report and Low.
Low, who was elected as TI-M president in March this year was forced to quit his post on Oct 6 after receiving heavy criticism over the TI-M report which highlighted the RM4.6 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal.
Tiong, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of PKFZ turnkey developer Kuala Dimensi Sendirian Berhad had earlier announced his intentions to sue Low and TI-M over the report which he alleged was "irresponsible".
Low, who resigned on his own free will, told the media at the time that he had resigned over his failure to consult the TI-M executive committee before releasing the report. Low was also apppointed on June 10 to head the PKFZ Port Klang Authority Ad Hoc Committee on Governance, a post which he still retains.
However, TI-M re-elected him as President on Nov 7.
Ngooi said the suit which was received by Low at his firm today did not specify a specific amount of damages, but sought aggravated and exemplary damages, adding that the suit cited passages from the report, as well as articles published by theSun and the online portal Malaysiakini which referred to the report and PKFZ.
Asked when the fund would be opened to the public, Ngooi said TI-M had yet to set up the fund, adding that it was "moving quickly" to determine what legal requirements are needed before asking the public for help.
"We have not set up the fund yet, but we will be looking at all the legal requirements before setting it up soon," said Ngooi.
" There may be such possible requirements as ROS approval. We have to move quickly, at present we have legal disbursements and deposits to pay," he added
Tan Yi Liang/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
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
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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
SHOULD PASSPORTS OF KDSB CEO AND ITS DEPUTY BE SURRENDERD TO PDRM?
O
n Aug 11 police report filed by PKA chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng, stated irregularities in notices of payment amounting to RM657 million based on findings of a special task force set up to identify weaknesses in the RM4.6 billion PKFZ project. Pic from left: Siong (CEO), Faizal Abdullah (Deputy) and Lee (PKA chairman).
Possible Conspiracy among five parties in connection with PKFZ scandal exists.
In his MACC report lodged on August 27 2009, Lee, the newly appointed PKA/LPK chairman, claimed there was an additional amount of RM720 million in unsubstantiated claims, bringing the total to RM1.4 billion in 'possible conspiracy'.
Polis Beku Beberapa Akaun Milik Kuala Dimensi, Kata Musa
PETALING JAYA, 4 Sept (Bernama) -- Polis telah membekukan akaun syarikat Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) dalam membantu siasatan berhubung kegagalan projek Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang (PKFZ).
Ketua Polis Negara Tan Sri Musa Hassan berkata beberapa akaun syarikat pemaju projek itu dibekukan kerana dianggap menjadi satu fakta siasatan.
"Siasatan masih dijalankan jadi saya tidak boleh memberi (komen) lebih lanjut lagi," katanya kepada pemberita selepas menyerahkan bungkusan kuih raya untuk diserahkan kepada anggota polis yang bertugas semasa musim Hari Raya di Subang Jaya, dekat sini, pada hari Jumaat.
Musa bagaimanapun enggan mengulas lanjut mengenai perkara itu.
KDSB menjadi perhatian dalam kegagalan projek itu selepas syarikat itu didakwa mengenakan caj berlebihan terhadap Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang (LPK) sehingga menyebabkan projek berkenaan menanggung kerugian.
Sementara itu, Timbalan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif KDSB Datuk Faizal Abdullah dalam kenyataan hari ini mengesahkan bahawa beberapa akaun syarikat telah dibekukan.
"Akaun-akaun itu dibekukan sejak petang semalam. Kami anggap ini sebagai sebahagian daripada proses siasatan dan kami memberi kerjasama penuh kepada polis," katanya.
Faizal berkata KDSB sedang mendapatkan nasihat mengenai kesahihan perintah pembekuan akaun syarikat itu.
Kos keseluruhan projek PKFZ di tapak seluas 405 hektar di Pelabuhan Klang telah menimbulkan pelbagai tanda tanya selepas kos pembangunan projek telah melonjak dari RM2.5 bilion kepada RM4.6 bilion.
Berikutan pendedahan skandal itu, Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM), Polis dan Jawatankuasa Kira-Kira Wang Negara (PAC) sedang menjalankan siasatan.
-BERNAMA
Police freeze accounts of KDSB
PETALING JAYA (Sept 4, 2009): Police have frozen several bank accounts belonging to Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) turnkey developer Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) as part of an investigation into a Port Klang Authority report filed on Aug 11.
In a brief press statement this afternoon, KDSB deputy CEO Datuk Faizal Abdullah confirmed that several accounts had been frozen late yesterday afternoon.
"We regard this as part of the investigation process and we are giving our fullest cooperation to the police," Faizal said.
He also said KDSB is taking advice on the legality of the freezing orders.
Faizal, however, added that KDSB was "very disturbed" by news published in an online portal which revealed detailed and confidential information contained in the freeze order.
The report said that more than RM140 million in the account of the company was frozen, and that Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan had briefed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak on the matter.
In the Aug 11 police report filed by PKA chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng, Lee claimed irregularities in notices of payment amounting to RM657 million based on findings of a special task force set up to identify weaknesses in the RM4.6 billion PKFZ project that the PKA cannot afford.
On Aug 27, Lee also lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) claiming possible conspiracy among five parties in connection with PKFZ scandal. In his report, Lee claimed there was an additional amount of RM720 million in unsubstantiated claims, bringing the total to RM1.4 billion in 'possible conspiracy'.
Lee's report named Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd, its CEO Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, former PKA general manager Datin Paduka O.C. Phang, BTA Architect and the consultant for development work Bernard Tan Seng Swee.
Over in Putrajaya, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) Special Task Force briefed Najib in an hour-long meeting which started at 11am at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) today.
The task force, established on June 10, is headed by senior lawyer Vinayak Pradhan from Skrine and Co, assisted by company partner Lim Chee Wee, Pricewaterhouse Coopers Advisory Services (PwCAS) managing director Chin Kwai Fatt and PwCAS senior executive director Lim San Peen.
Ong did not stop to talk to reporters who were waiting at the entrance of the PMO building.
Earlier, at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) where Ong was questioned for the second consecutive day over the PKFZ and an alleagation of a RM10 million gift from Tiong, Ong confirmed the briefing, saying: "I have said before that whatever findings of the task force’s investigations will definitely be communicated to the relevant groups, including the Prime Minister."
Ong was at the MACC headquarters at 8.30am before going to the PM's Office. He was at the MACC office yesterday to have his statement taken. "The session yesterday had to be postponed as I had to rush to Kelantan," he said.
He added that the MACC had also taken his statement pertaining to the claim that he received RM10 million from Bintulu Member of Parliament Tiong.
Tim Leonard and Husna Yusop/SUN2SURF
SKANDAL PKFZ "TIP OF ICEBERG" SALAHGUNA KUASA BN
Ramai pemimpin Umno terlibat jika skandal PKFZ didedah - Chua Jui Meng
KUALA LUMPUR, 25 Ogos: Bekas Naib Presiden MCA yang kini menyertai PKR, Datuk Chua Jui Meng mendakwa ramai pemimpin Umno yang terlibat jika didedahkan skandal Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang (PKFZ).
Umno, dakwanya lagi, tidak puas hati dengan dengan cara Menteri Pengangkutan, Ong Tee Keat mendedahkan skandal tersebut.
Bekas Menteri Kesihatan itu juga membayangkan apa yang dihadapi oleh Ong kini sebagai konspirasi Umno untuk menjatuhkannya.
Dakwaan Chua itu tampil selepas dakwaan Ahli Jawatankuasa Pusat MCA, Datuk Tee Lian Ker baru-baru ini bahawa ramai tokoh Umno dan MCA berada dalam "payroll" Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB), Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
KDSB ialah pemaju PKFZ.
Sejak Ong bergelut dengan pendedahan Tiong yang mendakwa memberikan RM10 juta kepada Presiden MCA itu, tidak ada pemimpin Umno yang kelihatan bersimpati kepadanya.
"Pernahkah anda melihat Perdana Menteri tampil mempertahankan Ong? Pernahkah anda dengar Timbalan Perdana Menteri mempertahankan Ong berkaitan skandal PKFZ?
"Atau di mana para pemimpin Umno lain untuk mempertahankan Ong mengenai isu itu? Tidak ada".
Perkara sedemikian, katanya, tidak pernah berlaku sebelum ini.
"Dahulu, wujud keakraban yang kukuh di mana para pemimpin BN akan mempertahankan satu sama lain tetapi perkara sedemikian tidak berlaku.
"Presiden parti komponen yang kedua terbesar dalam BN diserang dan tidak ada sesiapa pun dari Umno yang tampil mempertahankannya," kata Chua ketika bercakap kepada para pemberita selepas majlis makan malam yang dihadiri oleh kira-kira 2,000 orang di Bukit Mertajam Ahad lalu.
Menurut beliau lagi, apa yang berlaku itu, ditambah pula khabar angin yang tersebar luas di dalam BN yang mendakwa bahawa Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dan Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin tidak berpuas hati melihat Ong menjadi Presiden MCA dan lebih suka Timbalan Presiden MCA, Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek memimpin parti itu, telah melemahkan kedudukan Ong.
"Kesemua ini menunjukkan dakwaan Ong bahawa beliau diserang dari dalam dan luar adalah benar," kata Chua.
Semalam, Ong hari ini menfailkan saman dengan tuntutan RM500 juta terhadap Tiong, tetapi apa yang popular sebagai kehendak hatinya yang mahu dilihat bersih dan telus telah banyak tercemar.
12 Ogos lalu, Tiong mendakwa beliau memberikan RM10 juta kepada Ong.
Menurut Pengerusi Kelab Penyokong Barisan Nasional (BNBBC), wang tersebut dibayar secara tunai dalam tiga peringkat sewaktu pertemuan dengan presiden MCA itu di Petaling Jaya dan Kuala Lumpur.
"Saya tawarkan cek tetapi Ong mahu (dalam bentuk) tunai kerana ia lebih cepat," kata Ahli Parlimen Bintulu itu yang juga bendahari Parti Demokratik Sarawak (SPDP).
Timbalan Tiong dalam KDSB, Datuk Faizal Abdullah pula berkata Ong telah menggunakan jet peribadi milik syarikat tersebut sebanyak lima kali dan 'berhutang' kepada mereka sebanyak AS$40,000bagi perkhidmatan tersebut.
Faizal juga ialah Timbalan Ketua Umno Bahagian Kapar.
Ketika menafikan dakwaan Tiong itu dalam perjumpaan MCA Selangor, Ong berkata: "Kalau saya mengambil duit, saya sepatutnya menjadi kawan baik beliau tetapi mengapa saya menjalankan siasatan ke atas Tiong dan syarikatnya, KDSB?
"Kalau saya mahu, anda fikir dia tidak akan beri lebih banyak lagi?"
Walaupun sebelum ini Ong memberi amaran kepada Tiong bahawa beliau akan mengambil tindakan undang-undang, tetapi Tiong berkeras tidak mahu menarik balik kenyataannya.
Beliau malah mengalu-alukan laporan polis yang dibuat oleh Ong.
"Beliau boleh teruskan dan saman saya," tegas Tiong.
Tidak cukup dengan itu, beliau mencabar Ong bersemuka serta mendedahkan akaun bank beliau dan isterinya kepada umum.
"Saya mempunyai saksi rahsia yang boleh mendedahkan niat sebenar Ong apabila beliau mengarahkan siasatan ke atas isu Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang (PKFZ)," kata Tiong.
Beliau mendesak Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) menyiasat jumlah wang dalam akaun bank peribadi Ong dan isterinya.
Ong pula tidak kelihatan memberikan jawapan yang meyakinkan kepada cabaran Tiong itu.
"Dia boleh cakap apa sahaja, tetapi saya rasa apa yang penting ialah keadilan dan kebenaran akan mengatasi segala-galanya dan bukan berasaskan cakap dengar oleh individu yang kredibilitinya dipersoalkan," katanya.
Muhyiddin pula kelihatan seolah-olah mahu isu pemberian RM10 juta itu disembunyikan apabila menyatakan, pertengkaran terbuka Ong dan Tiong itu telah mencemarkan imej kerajaan dan Barisan Nasional (BN).
"Mereka sepatutnya faham kesan percakaran seumpama itu terhadap kerajaan," katanya.
Zulkifli Sulong/harakahdaily
LPK BUAT LAPORAN POLIS KUALA DIMENSI SELEWENG WANG
Kuala Dimensi Minta Orang Ramai Usah Buat Kesimpulan Isu PKFZ KUALA LUMPUR, 10 Ogos (Bernama) -- Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd, pemaju siap guna Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang (PKPZ), merayu kepada orang ramai supaya tidak membuat kesimpulan sendiri tentang isu PKFZ.
Pengerusi LPK Datuk Lee Hwa Beng berkata laporan itu dibuat susulan pengeluaran laporan pasukan tugas khas hari ini yang mengenal pasti dakwaan selisih antara RM500 juta dan RM1 bilion.
Foto kanan CEO KDSB Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing dan foto kiri ialah Datuk Faizal Abdullah, Timbalan Ketua Eksekutif.
Lee dipetik sebagai berkata lembaga akan bermesyuarat sekali lagi minggu depan bagi menangani butir-butir terperinci laporan itu dan memutuskan tindakan selanjutnya termasuk kemungkinan tindakan terhadap dakwaan sekurang-kurangnya enam salah urus PKFZ oleh bekas-bekas pengarah LPK. Sila lihat laporan dari sun2surf.
*PKA to lodge police report against PKFZ contractor-sun2surf
*Kuala Dimensi Minta Orang Ramai Usah Buat Kesimpulan Isu PKFZ- bernama
PKA to lodge police report against PKFZ contractor
PUTRAJAYA (Aug 10, 2009) : The Port Klang Authority (PKA) is lodging police report tomorrow against the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) turnkey developer Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) over alleged irregularities of up to RM1 billion.
Foto Lee Hwa Beng (left) handing over a set of the PKFZ special task force report to Ong Tee Keat on Monday afternoon.PKA chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng is lodging the police report on behalf of the authority at 11am in the Klang police station.
Lee said the report was being lodged following the release of the special task force report today which identified alleged discrepancies of between RM500 million and RM1 billion.
"We (the board) received the report this morning and immediately agreed that a police report should be lodged against KDSB over the irregularities. We have also instructed our lawyers to study and consider legal action against KDSB and other relevant parties.
"Our lawyers will henceforth deal with KDSB chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and his deputy CEO Datuk Faizal Abdullah," he said.
Lee said the board would meet again next week to deal with the details in the report and decide further actions, including possible action against alleged mismanagement of PKFZ by ex-PKA directors.
In a statement, he said the board had met yesterday morning to deliberate on the report to look into legal and financial aspects of PKA and PKFZ following the audit report by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
"We have deliberated on the instances of possible serious irregular claims, negligence, wrongdoings and other irregularities identified as well as the issue of the unenforceability of certain agreements or parts thereof," he said.
The alleged irregularities include:
1.Evidence to show KDSB had possibly made seriously irregular claims under the Development Agreement (DA), in particular, for the electrical infrastructure of the 33kv system worth RM55.8 million which had yet to be carried out on site, 33kv supply works and the civil infrastructure to the main intake station works worth RM83 million as Tenaga Nasional Bhd had rejected the proposal for KDSB to undertake the works;
2. In respect of claims for preliminaries of at least RM231 million under the DA, KDSB has not provided any documents to support the cost incurred as preliminaries. KDSB should prove that each item in the breakdown preliminaries was necessary and properly incurred before it is entitled to make claims for it. KDSB has also made claims for items which they are not contractually entitled to, for instance, claim for the procurement of a performance bonds and payment for insurance premiums, both totaling RM5 million;
3.In respect of KDSB's claims for variation works of RM62 million under Additional Development Works and New Additional Development Works, there appears to be no basis for these claims and KDSB should justify this;
4.There appears to be an over-claim for the hotel works, wherein KDSB had claimed RM69.9 million compared to quantity survey consortium, QS4's valuation of RM44.7 million;
5. In respect of claims for professional fees under DA3, KDSB is only entitled to actual fee and expenses incurred. KDSB has not produced any invoices and payment vouchers for RM121.6 million of the fees allegedly incurred. In any event, the sum claimed by KDSB appears to be on the high side given the value and nature of the project;
6. KDSB may not be entitiled to an extra claim RM254.9 million under DA3 because the purported revised works fell within the original scope of the works envisaged under Land Agreement 1 and not DA3 under which it is claimed.
Lee said the board has also decided that the quantity surveyors in the task force continue to remeasure the value of the works performed by KDSB to establish the real sum owing to the main developer.
"Presently, they have already identified a difference of at least RM93 million between the claims made by KDSB and their measurements.
"We believe that there will be further differences in the re-measurement exercise," said Lee.
In June, the task force under the leadership of Skrine senior lawyer Vinayak Pradhan was formed together with a corporate governance committee and an executive committee to produce the recommendations to rectify problems in PKFZ.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, who was also present in the press conference with Lee, said: "I view with concern the various issues that have been identified by the special task force and brought to the attention of PKA members.
"Among the matters deliberated in the meeting in which the board has agreed is to consider further action over the serious irregularities, including serious irregular claims for payment, negligence, wrongdoings and other irregularities.
"Certain agreements and parts of others were also viewed to be unenforceable," he said.
Ong said his instruction to PKA is to do what is necessary and right in the exercise of their duties on the findings and recommendations of the report and if appropriate, the necessary legal action should be take
===================================================================
Ini memandangkan syarikat itu tidak diberikan peluang untuk menyangkal dakwaan atau mempertahankan diri terhadap hasil penyiasatan Pasukan Petugas Khas yang ditubuhkan bagi menyiasat aspek perundangan dan kewangan projek itu.
Timbalan ketua pegawai eksekutifnya, Datuk Faizal Abdullah, berkata Isnin, dalam tempoh dua bulan ini apabila pasukan petugas itu diberikan tugas tersebut, Kuala Dimensi tidak pernah sekali pun dipanggil untuk menyangkal atau mempertahankan diri terhadap sebarang hasil penyiasatan oleh pasukan petugas itu.
Laporan dan hasil siasatan itu dibuat oleh sebelah pihak, katanya dalam satu kenyataan.
Beliau yang menafikan kemungkinan berlakunya penipuan, kecuaian, salah laku dan penyelewengan seperti yang dikenal pasti berkata, dakwaan itu tidak adil bagi pihak mereka tanpa mengambil kira reputasi baik Kuala Dimensi yang telah dibina selama ini.
"Sekali lagi kami menjadi mangsa apabila realitinya LPK (Lembaga Pelabuhan Kelang) gagal membentuk satu lagi Pasukan Tugas Khas untuk secara khususnya meneliti pelbagai cara bagi membantu memasarkan Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang," katanya.
Beliau berkata sekiranya PKFZ mencatatkan prestasi baik hari ini, wang yang diperuntukkan bagi membangunkannya tidak akan menjadi isu dan perbelanjaan itu akan disokong.
Kenyataannya itu muncul ditengah-tengah laporan bahawa LPK akan membuat laporan polis esok terhadap Kuala Dimensi di atas dakwaan penyelewengan sehingga RM1 bilion.
Pengerusi LPK Datuk Lee Hwa Beng berkata laporan itu dibuat susulan pengeluaran laporan pasukan tugas khas hari ini yang mengenal pasti dakwaan selisih antara RM500 juta dan RM1 bilion.
Lee dipetik sebagai berkata lembaga akan bermesyuarat sekali lagi minggu depan bagi menangani butir-butir terperinci laporan itu dan memutuskan tindakan selanjutnya termasuk kemungkinan tindakan terhadap dakwaan salah urus PKFZ oleh bekas-bekas pengarah LPK.
-- BERNAMA
PKFZ: FORMER TWO TRANSPORT MINISTERS CALLED BY PAC
*Elements of incompetency found in PKFZ project (theStar)
*KFZ: PAC unable to conclude on nature of four letters (sun2surf)
Elements of incompetency found in PKFZ project
KUALA LUMPUR: There are elements of incompetency in the handling of the Pork Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said.
PAC chairman Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said there were still more that needed to be investigated before the committee gave a final report to the Government and the Parliament before the Dewan Rakyat sits again in October.
“Generally, based on the PAC findings on the issue, the running of the PKFZ project had been carried out by incompetent people.
“This is not our conclusion as yet, because we calling more people for their statements before we can finish the enquiry in the next few months,” he told reporters after questioning former transport minister Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy during a hearing on the project at the Parliament House on Wednesday.
Azmi said the PAC will call Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail on August 12.
He added officials and former officials from the Transport Ministry, including a former secretary-general, and the directors of the Port Klang Authority board would also be called.
Azmi said Chan was questioned mostly on the three letters of support he gave to the PKFZ during his tenure as minister. A fourth letter was given to PKFZ by former transport minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik earlier.
Dr Ling had told the PAC earlier that the letter he had issued to facilitate the financing of the PKFZ was not tantamount to a government guarantee.
Azmi said Chan was asked how decisions were made particularly in the approval for the issue of bonds to raise funds for the project,
He was also questioned on the significance of the supporting letters which were interpreted as guarantee letters and the rationale for giving them to PKA.
“Chan said they were called supporting letters as agreed by the local and Commonwealth legal experts.
“The PAC cannot make a conclusion on what the letters should be termed as because we are not the body that decides on that matter, “ he added.
It was reported that Chan had signed three letters of support during his tenure as minister which allowed the developer Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd to issue RM2.375bil worth of debt papers to raise funds for the PKFZ project.
Azmi said Chan was responsive and cooperative during the enquiry although he told the PAC that he decided to come although he was unwell. Chan left the meeting at 1.30pm.
“I’ve nothing to comment. I’m a retired man,” he said.
Earlier, Chan arrived at Parliament House at 10.55am. He smiled and greeted the media before entering the enquiry room.
He came with several people believed to be a lawyer and assistants carrying a bag of documents.
PAC deputy chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw said there was lack of transparency and accountability in the project.
“At the moment, we see that the project didn’t adhere to financial procedures.
“Chan tried his best to reply to our question. Some questions he didn’t answer,” he added.by
ZULKIFLI ABD. RAHMAN/the Star
KFZ: PAC unable to conclude on nature of four letters
KUALA LUMPUR (July 29, 2009) : The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is unable to conclude that the four letters of support for the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project issued by two former cabinet ministers are not government guarantees, its chairman Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said today.
After hearing the testimony of former transport minister Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy for about two hours over the controversial RM4.9 billion project, Azmi said the question of whether the letters are government guarantees or not is subject to legal opinion.
"Although Chan and his predecessor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik have denied the letters were guarantees, these are only their opinion, Azmi told reporters.
"We have different opinions in the legal aspect and we are not the body to determine. It is up to other bodies to decide."
Chan issued three letters of support, in 2004, 2005 and 2006, which confirmed that the ministry "shall at all times in the future ensure that Port Klang Authority (PKA) is in the position to meet their liabilities in respect of the repayment amount".
The first letter of support was issued on May 28, 2003 by Ling, and he had also told the PAC two weeks ago the letter was not a guarantee and that it had no financial implication on the government.
The four letters of support have been uploaded, together with other 19 appendices to the PricewaterhouseCoopers report on July 15, on the PKFZ information portal (pkfznews.com.my).
Azmi said Chan, who was accompanied by his legal adviser, was responsive and cooperative to the committee and most of the questions posted to the ex-minister were on the letters of support.
"His stand, which had also been explained in Parliament as well as by the Finance Ministry, was that these letters were not a form of guarantee but merely support," he said
"He had obtained legal views from well-known lawyers not only in Malaysia but also at the Commonwealth level that the letters cannot be construed as guarantee.
"(However) the differences in opinions should be looked into by the parties concerned. "
Azmi said the PAC will get more input for its report from Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail on Aug 12, as well as from high-ranking officers, former board members of PKA, and former Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Zaharah Shaari on Aug 13.
He said the committee had also asked Chan to explain the rationale for some decisions made. He declined to disclose details, saying all will be made available in the PAC report.
Giam Say Khoon/sun2surf
PKA WITHOLDS SCHEDULED PYMENT TO PKFZ SDN BHD
Port Klang Authority withholds payments over PKFZ
PORT KLANG: The Port Klang Authority has decided to withhold payments due to Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd for the Port Klang Free Zone project.
(Klick on the image to enlarge it)
Its chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng said the board had decided to do this pending completion of the full review of the project by the task force already commissioned to take another look into PKFZ.
“As has been previously announced, the PKA has commissioned the task force to make recommendations on action to be taken based on the PriceWaterhouseCoopers report.
“The PKA board has resolved, on the basis of preliminary and provisional views obtained, to withhold these payments pending the completion of the full review by the task force.
“The authority recognises that in not making these payments litigation could result against it. If this happens, PKA will defend these actions and will await the outcome of the litigation, which will determine PKA’s true liability,” he told reporters at a press conference here Tuesday.
The authority was supposed to have paid Special Port Vehicle Bhd, Transhipment Megahub Bhd, Valid Ventures Bhd and Free Zone Capital Bhd totalling some RM660mil payable in four parts this and next month.
The payment is for:
- RM130mil allegedly payable on or before Tuesday under the Sale and Purchase agreement dated Nov 12, 2002 between KDSB and PKA,
- RM230mil allegedly payable on or before Tuesday under the Development a greement dated March 27, 2004 between KDSB and PKA
- RM150mil allegedly payable next month under the supplemental agreement for additional development works dated Nov 30 between KDSB and PKA
- RM150mil allegedly payable next month under the supplemental agreement for new additional development works dated April 26, 2006 between KDSB and PKA.
The board, he stressed, was taking the action in the best interest of the authority and had not decided so due to pressure from any outside party.
“The Board’s decision is also part of efforts by the ministry to restructure PKFZ’s financial position and seek appropriate legal remedies, including a legal review of some of the agreements it had signed in the past,” he said.
Lee said the full recommendations of the special task force were expected to be submitted to PKA and Transport Minister in August.
WANI MUTHIAH/theStar
KIT SIANG VS TEE KEAT IN PARLIAMENT WITH SEVERAL UMPIRES
*Kit Siang wants apology
*Tee Keat: PKFZ's estimated RM12.5b cost only hypothetical
Kit Siang wants apology
KUALA LUMPUR (June 22, 2009) : Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) today demanded that Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat apologise for alleged parliamentary contempt and breach of privilege in the delivery of his ministerial statement on the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ).
He accused Ong of deliberately misleading the House in failing to give a full and proper account of the cabinet's decisions in relation to the acquisition of land for the PKFZ.
"Ong misled the House when he said that the cabinet on Oct 2, 2002 made the decision to allow the Port Klang Authority to buy 1,000 acres of land for RM1.08 billion at RM25 per square foot, based on the position of the Selangor government that the land could not be acquired under Section 3(1)(a) of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 because the PKFZ was not a public project," Lim said.
"I immediately pointed out that Ong had misled parliament as he had not referred to the cabinet decision three weeks later on October 23 in 2002 that the land should be acquired by the Transport Ministry through land acquisition under the Act at the price of RM10.16 per square foot."
He said Ong had not replied to that, which was another instance of ministerial irresponsibility and cowardice.
"If Ong fails to tender a public apology in the next 24 hours, I will submit a motion to refer him to the Committee of Privileges for violating Standing Order 36 (12) in deliberately misleading the House.
"This is what Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said was the option before me, based on his understanding of the scandal involving British war minister John Profumo in the House of Commons when Profumo made a ministerial statement in parliament which proved to be incorrect and untrue," Lim said.
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Tee Keat: PKFZ's estimated RM12.5b cost only hypothetical
Maria J. Dass, Giam Say Khoon and Hemananthani Sivanandam
KUALA LUMPUR (June 22, 2009): Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat told the Dewan Rakyat today the PricewaterhouseCoopers's (Pwc) estimated project cost of RM12.5 billion, including interest, for the controversial Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project was a "hypothetical" one.
In a four-page ministerial statement on the project for which the PwC audit report had been made public, Ong said the overall cost would come up to RM12.5 billion by 2051 if the Port Klang Authority (PKA) delays its repayment of the RM4.38 soft loan to the government.
"The estimation was also made by PwC in a scenario where there is no intervention by the government or any efforts by the PKA to promote PKFZ. The fact is PKFZ Sdn Bhd has initiated several promotions and the PKA has begun to see results as more tenants are showing interest (in PKFZ)," he said.
In the statement, Ong pointed out that the main problem with PKFZ was the increase in overall cost of the project -- the initial estimated cost for land acquisition and development works in 2002 was only RM1.96 billion and later increased to RM3.53 billion in 2008.
He explained that based on the interest from delayed payments to PKFZ's turnkey developer Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd as well as the variation order and professional fee, the development cost would baloon to RM4.9 billion by 2017.
DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, who had made numerous statements on the PKFZ in recent weeks, later posed a supplementary question to Ong, demanding the minister name the culprits of the scandal and insisted that former PKA chairmen and Transport Minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik explain the issue.
Lim said the minister did not reveal anything new or unknown to the public in his ministerial statement, which he said lasted a brief eight minutes.
He later demanded outside the Dewan an apology from Ong for "alleged alleged parliamentary contempt and breach of privilege" for deliberately misleading the parliament about cabinet decision on the land acquisition of the PKFZ by failing to give a full and proper account of the cabinet's decisions on the project.
He said Ong had said the Cabinet on Oct 2 in 2002 decided to allow the PKA to purchase 1,000 acres for RM1.08 billion at RM25 per square feet based on the position of the Selangor government that the land could not be acquired under Section 3(1)(a) of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 because the PKFZ was not a public project.
He said Ong had not referred to the cabinet decision three weeks later on Oct 23 in 2002 that the land should be acquired by the Transport Ministry through land acquisition under the Act at the price of RM10.16 per square feet.
When Lim attempted to take Ong to task for reading out his statement, Ong called him a "creature". He was later told to retract his word by Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar following a protest from Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah).
Lim also led a walkout by DAP MPs to protest being denied the opportunity to ask questions after Ong had presented his statement.
Earlier, when replying to Lim during question time, Ong said: "The current scenario shows that stern and comprehensive action had been taken by the Transport Ministry.
"It is unfortunate that there is an individual who twisted (the facts) and spread lies that PKFZ’s debt had ballooned to RM12.5 billion."
He said the project's cost could not be finalised as its accounts had yet to be closed. Hence the real cost could not be determined now in light of a possible financial restructuring pending a report by the special taskforce.
Ong also said Barisan Nasional Backbenchers' Club chairman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who is the Bintulu MP, was only the chief executive officer of Kuala Dimensi, the company that sold the land to the PKA.
"According to my records, he (Tiong) did not hold any position on PKA's board nor in PKFZ Sdn Bhd when the transaction and development of the land took place," he said in answering a question on whether Tiong had a conflict of interest in the deal.
Lim later posed a supplementary question, demanding that the minister name the culprits behind the scandal and insisting that former PKA chairman and Transport Minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik explain the matter.
Ong replied that the issue could not be solved if Lim continued to be hysterical.
"It is clear the senior MP (Lim) did not read the (PKFZ) report. What had been questioned is stated in the PwC report and it is not up to PwC to tell us who should face action."
Lim Kit Siang and Ong Tee Keat after the shouting match in the Parliament
When Lim continued to press for names, he was stopped by Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee.
In a press conference in the parliament lobby, Ong said he regretted the performance of Lim and his colleagues in the House in ignoring the Standing Orders during question time.
"We have followed the rules in answering any relevant questions raised, but when it comes to the ministerial statement, it should only be a statement that would be read out without any interjection or questions," he said, reiterating that Lim had twisted the facts.
Ong said that if Lim had "intellectual depth", he would not have misinterpreted or twisted the report especially on the PKFZ's estimated overall cost of RM12.5 billion by 2051.
He also rebutted the claim that he had applied for another soft loan of RM1.2 billion for the PKFZ from the government last year in his capacity as transport minister.
Ong said the loan was part of the RM4.38 billion soft loan approved by the Finance Ministry in 2007 and that he was only writing a letter to former Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to notify the confirmed and finalised principal sum under the main development agreement.
"I had only carried out my duty and the loan was approved before my tenure as Transport Minister. We must expose those who twisted facts because we will never get the truth by twisting facts," he added.
2 SITES FOR TWO SIDES OF THE COIN: ISSUE PKFZ
PKFZ: Ong and Kit Siang to face off tomorrow?
KUALA LUMPUR (June 21, 2009) : The battle between Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang over the Port Klang Free Zone is set to spill over into parliament tomorrow.
The two politicians who in the past weeks have been trading barbs and
comments in the media and cyberspace over the PKFZ, are set to face off when Ong presents his ministerial statement on the matter.
Lim has criticised Ong in parliament for what he termed as "his failure for being present in the House to take questions on the PKFZ scandal" on how the project's initial development cost of RM2 billion could have ballooned to over RM12.5 billion.
He has also launched the website www.pkfz-scandal.org as against the official www.pkfznews.com.my, featuring articles on PKFZ compiled from various sources to challenge official explanations and reports by the Transport Ministry.
Lim's move to table an emergency motion to require a royal commission of inquiry into the PKFZ was rejected by Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia for lacking urgency.
Ong will take the opportunity tomorrow to answer points raised by opposition MPs, while outlining measures taken by the government to salvage the project.
The ministry has also agreed to distribute Pricewaterhouse Coopers' audit report on the PKFZ, together with appendices, to all MPs following a request from the parliamentary secretary.
Bernama
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PROPRIETOR OF KUALA DIMENSI TO SUE PKA CHAIRMAN
A classic case of how lands given by the state government change hands with the creation a company with a few puppets Malays as members of Board Of Directors. "Free Land" given to Koperasi pembangunan Pulau Lumut (PKPL) then sold to Kuala Dimensi with a token price of RM3-5 per square foot and subsequently sold to semi government or government agencies like PKFZ with an inflatable, blood-sucking and exorbitant price of RM25 per square foot.
The above groups of Malays have always existed in the Malay history who are willing to get a few quick ringgits in exchange for tangible assets such as prime land and government PROJECTS and intangible assets like sovereignty and power. Which political party are they members of mainly?
Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing is a 70% shareholder of Wijaya Baru Holdings, which is the sole proprietor of Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd, the turnkey developer of PKFZ.
Monday June 15, 2009
Tiong to file suit against Lee over PKFZ report
By LEE YUK PENG/theStaronline
KUALA LUMPUR: Wijaya Baru Holdings Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said he will be suing Port Klang Authority (PKA) board chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng and several others within a few weeks over the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) audit report.
Nanyang Siang Pau reported on the front page of its evening edition last night that Tiong would also be suing auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) Advisory Services Sdn Bhd and several media companies.
Tiong told the daily that Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd had appointed a team of lawyers to study the audit report to draft the suit. Tiong is a 70% shareholder of Wijaya Baru Holdings, which is the sole proprietor of Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd, the turnkey developer of PKFZ.
Speaking after launching a Buddhist project in Petaling Jaya yesterday, Tiong said that he decided to sue Lee and not PKA.
Tiong also challenged Lee to use his money and not PKA funds to defend himself.
Tiong, who is also Bintulu MP and Backbenchers Council chairman, warned Lim Kit Siang (DAP - Ipoh Timur) that he may be sued too.
Kuala Dimensi also took up full page advertorials in Sin Chew Daily, Nanyang, China Press and Guang Ming Daily to explain its position.
It said the PWC’s report, which was incomplete, had tarnished the company’s reputation.
When contacted, Lee said: “I have to wait for the suit and will inform my lawyers to file a defence. Whatever I did is on behalf of PKA and for the good of taxpayers.”
KEMANA PERGINYA MELAYU KOPERASI PULAU LUMUT DALAM SKANDAL PKFZ
KOLEKSI BERITA MENARIK ISU PKFZ
