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.
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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
TUBUH LEMBAGA PELABUHAN KEBANGSAAN SEGERA (DWIBAHASA)
Gesaan yang dibuat oleh Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Malaysia (MTUC) agar Kerajaan menyegerakan penubuhan Lembaga Pelabuhan Kebangsaan (NPA) untuk memantau dan menyelaraskan operasi di semua 
pelabuhan di negara ini amatlah bertepatan dan patut diberi keutamaan. Di Selangor, kita boleh lihat persaingan tidak sihat serta pertindihan kemudahan di antara Pelabuhan barat (Westport) dan Pelabuhan Utara (Northport).
Kini Northport telah mula meniru Wesport dari aspek pengurusan kakitangan dengan menggunakan tenaga kerja import dari India secara kontrak dan bukan anak tempatan. Pekerja yang telah bersara tidak diganti dengan pekerja tempatan.
Tubuhkan Lembaga Pelabuhan Kebangsaan, Kata MTUC
PELABUHAN KLANG, 15 Nov (Bernama) -- Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Malaysia (MTUC) pada Ahad menggesa kerajaan menyegerakan penubuhan Lembaga Pelabuhan Kebangsaan (NPA) untuk memantau dan menyelaraskan operasi di semua pelabuhan di negara ini.
NPA antara lain dapat membantu menghapuskan persaingan tidak sihat di antara pelabuhan dengan mengelakkan pertindihan perkhidmatan dan kemudahan, menurut Naib Presiden MTUC A. Balasubramaniam yang juga setiausaha Kesatuan Pekerja-pekerja Pembekal Perkhidmatan Sampingan Pelabuhan (UNEPASS).
Beliau berkata NPA juga boleh membantu dalam mewujudkan keseragaman daripada segi gaji dan syarat dan terma kerja bagi 30,000 pekerja di semua pelabuhan.
Ketika ini terdapat enam pelabuhan yang dikendalikan oleh kerajaan dan 10 buah oleh sektor swasta.
Balasubramaniam berkata cadangan penubuhan NPA telah dikemukakan lebih 10 tahun lepas tetapi masih belum dilaksanakan.
Beliau berharap Kementerian Pengangkutan akan menimbangkan cadangan itu secara serius demi kebaikan industri pelabuhan di Malaysia.
-- BERNAMA
Set Up National Port Authority, Says MTUC
PORT KLANG, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) on Sunday called on the government to expedite the setting up of the National Port Authority (NPA) to oversee and streamline the operations of all ports in the country.
The NPA could, among other things, help cut out unhealthy competition among ports by avoiding duplication of services and facilities, said MTUC vice-president A. Balasubramaniam, who is also the secretary of the Union of Employees of Port Ancillary Services Suppliers (UNEPASS).
He said the NPA could also assist in creating uniformity in the wages and terms and conditions of work for the 30,000 workers at the various ports.
At present, there are six ports run by the government and 10 by the private sector.
Balasubramaniam said the idea of the NPA was mooted more than 10 years ago, but it had still not materialised.
He hoped that the Transport Ministry would seriously pursue this idea as it would be for the betterment of the ports industry in Malaysia.
BERNAMA
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
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
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
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
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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
JETI AWAM PULAU KETAM : KERAJAAN SELANGOR KOMITED BERI KEMUDAHAN
PENJELASAN ADUN SELAT KLANG ISU JAPK
EXCO MTES (Mesyuarat Tindakan Ekonomi Selangor) pada 03 Julai 2009 telah memutuskan untuk mengarahkan UPEN (Unit Tindakan Ekonomi Selangor) bertindak sebagai Sekretariat bersama dengan Jabatan Perancang Bandar, MPK (Majlis Perbandaran Klang), Pejabat Tanah Klang dan Lembaga Urusan Air Selangor (LUAS) bagi mengenalpasti lokasi yang paling sesuai untuk ditempatkan JETI AWAM PULAU KETAM (JAPK) untuk kemudahan penduduk Pulau Ketam dan Sungai Lima serta pengguna lain.
Saya selaku ADUN Selat Klang telah membawa masalah yang dihadapi oleh rakyat yang tinggal di Pulau Ketam dan Sg Lima yang mutakhir ini resah dan gelisah apabila JETI AWAM PULAU KETAM "tenggelam". Pengguna telah menggunakan jeti Jabatan Perikanan buat sementara waktu tetapi tersebar satu khabar angin mengatakan kebenaran menggunakan jeti ini akan ditamatkan pada penghujung Julai 2009.
Mereka telah didalangi oleh pihak-pihak tertentu untuk untuk mengadakan piket. Dilaporkan MCA diketuai oleh Peengerusi JKKKP telah menyewa bot untuk penduduk Pulau Ketam agar datang beramai-ramai ke tanah besar serta makan minum ditanggung. Tujuan berdemonstrasi ialah untuk mendapatkan jeti percuma tanpa berbayar dari Kerajaan Negeri Selangor.
Satu jeti swasta berbayar bagi penduduk Pulau Ketam dan Sg Lima kini sedang dibina oleh syarikat ASA Niaga Sdn Bhd, pemilik Projek Harbour City yang telah diberi tanah oleh kerajaan Barisan Nasional di bawah Dr Khir Toyo. Sila rujuk SINI.
Dalam perancangan Kerajaan Barisan Nasional, mereka telah lupa tentang nasib penduduk Pulau Ketam dan Sg Lima apabila mahu menswastakan pelabuhan dan jeti. Barisan Nasional lupa bahawa penduduk Pulau Ketam yang rata-ratanya nelayan terpaksa menggunakan bot dan feri bagi tujuan berulangalik ke tanah besar Pelabuhan Klang serta menjual tangkapan ikan dan mendapatkan bekalan dari Pelabuhan Klang dan Klang sendiri.
Alhamdulillah, atas dasar keprihatinan dan merakyatkan ekonomi Selangor, Dato' MB serta para Exco yang lain telah sebulat suara bersetuju agar Kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat Selangor mengkaji serta membina JTPK kekal di suatu tempat yang sesuai serta strategik untuk penduduk dalam urusan mereka seharian.
Sila lihat kenyataan akhbar Dato' MB di bawah.
JETI AWAM PULAU KETAM BERBEZA DENGAN JETI DI PULAU KETAM
Jeti Awam Pulau Ketam terletak di Bandar Pelabuhan Klang berhampiran Stesen Komuter Pelabuhan Klang dan bersebelahan dengan Pusat Imigresen serta pelabuhan ke Dumai, Medan dan tempat-tempat lain di Indonesia.
Di bawah adalah foto yang memberi gambaran sedikit sebanyak tentang Jeti Awam Pulau Ketam yang kini sedang hangat dibincangkan di dada akhbar berbahasa Cina. Pantoon di mana bot dan feri rapat untuk menurunkan penumpang telah "tenggelam" pada 6 jun 2009. Tanah di mana pantoon dan jeti awam ini berada, terletak di atas tanah LOT 104724 yang telah dijual oleh Kerajaan Barisan Nasional di bawah Khir Toyo kepada Syarikat ASA Niaga Sdn Bhd untuk satu Projek bergelar Harbour City.
Apabila siap Projek Harbour City ini nanti, semua penumpang yang menggunakan jeti milik ASA Niaga ini akan dikenakan levi, tol atau bayaran. Maka kos pengangkutan akan dimasukkan ke dalam kos tambang pergi balik ke Pulau Ketam dari tanah besar Pelabuhan Klang termasuk surcaj menggunakan kemudahan jeti.
Jeti di Pulau Ketam terletak di Pulau Ketam sendiri dan dilengkapkan dengan kemudahan seperti tempat duduk dan pengadang keselematan. Sila rujuk gambar.
PONTOON JETI PULAU KETAM TENGGELAM, HARBOUR CITY ASA NIAGA TIMBUL
Pada bulan Jun 2009, jeti awam ke Pulau Ketam telah "tenggelam", hanya Tuhan sahaja yang tahu bagaimana ia boleh berlaku.
Dengan ehsan Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia (LKIM), penduduk Pulau Ketam serta pengguna pengangkutan feri serta bot mula menggunakan jeti LKIM dan kemudahan ini akan berakhir pada 31 Julai 2009, namun satu rundingan telah diadakan pada 25 Jun 2009 dengan pihak-pihak yang terlibat, tempoh penggunaan jeti LKIM telah dilanjutkan sehingga 8 Ogos 2009.
Seramai lebih kurang ?500 orang penduduk Pulau Ketam berdemonstrasi pada 1hb Julai 2009 menyuarakan rasa tidak puas hati dengan apa yang berlaku. Mari kita kaji apa hikmahnya pontoon jeti Pulau Ketam tenggelam. Ini kerana jika ia tidak tenggelam nescaya tiada siapa yang tahu sejarah jeti awam Pulau Ketam dan Projek Harbour City milik ASA Niaga Sdn Bhd.
Jeti Awam Pulau Ketam (JAPK) sebelum pontoonnya tenggelam terletak di atas tanah rezab Persekutuan Lot 17 Seksyen 16 Pelabuhan Klang atau lot lama 104724.
Kerajaan BN Selangor telah meluluskan sebahagian dari tanah rezab di atas seluas 15.0 ekar kepada Tetuan ASA Niaga Sdn Bhd untuk projeknya pada 29 Nov 1995.
Pada tahun 1999 Kerajaan BN Selangor telah meluluskan 2 lot tanah kepada ASA Niaga Sdn Bhd iaitu:
(1) Sebahagian tanah rezab lot 17 Seksyen 16 PT 92572 seluas 15 ekar yang mana jeti ini terletak,
(2) Sebahagian tanah Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) iaitu lot 24 PT 483 seluas 5.709 ekar,
dengan premium 30% DISKAUN berjumlah keseluruhannya RM2.182 juta sahaja.
Bayaran diterima pada 4 Jan 2002.
Dengan yang demikian, maka jeti awam Pulau Ketam kini terletak di atas tanah milik ASA Niaga Sdn Bhd. Bagaimana caranya untuk
memindahkan jeti ini dari wujud dan beroperasi? Tuan-tuan yang bijaksana jawab sendiri.
laporan Sinar Harian bertarikh 2/7/09
PELABUHAN KLANG - Penduduk Pulau Ketam dan Sungai Lima berhadapan dengan dilema apabila kemudahan jeti yang sekian lama digunakan mereka untuk berulang alik ke tanah besar bakal ditarik balik.
Sinar Harian difahamkan jeti milik Jabatan Perikanan digunakan atas dasar pinjaman dan tempoh berkenaan bakal berakhir Ogos depan, membuatkan mereka diburu keresahan apabila sehingga kini pihak berkenaan seperti Kerajaan Persekutuan mahupun kerajaan negeri tidak menunjukkan usaha serius untuk menyelesaikan kemelut itu.
Menurut seorang penduduk, Ismail Hakim, 46, sejak sekian lama penduduk di situ menggunakan jeti Jabatan Perikanan yang prihatin membenarkan mereka menggunakan jeti secara percuma, sedangkan jeti kekal yang dinanti masih ‘tidak kunjung tiba’.
“Sejak sekian lama kami menumpang jeti di sekitar kawasan ini untuk kegunaan ketika datang berurusan ke tanah besar dan tambang yang semakin mahal kepada penduduk.
“Malah, hingga kini belum ada tindakan serius daripada kerajaan negeri untuk membantu kami mengatasi kemelut yang berlaku ini,” katanya.
Katanya, kerajaan negeri atau persekutuan perlu serius untuk membantu penduduk dan tidak hanya menjanjikan isu ini terutama pada waktu menjelang pilihan raya bagi meraih undi.
