The decision by the Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha to override the decision of the Port Klang Authority (PKA) and direct it to pay its Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) bond obligation of RM222.58 million to Freezone Capital Bhd (FZCB) is another proof that his topmost concern and those of the Najib Cabinet is to bail out the PKFZ turnkey contractor Kuala Dimensi Sdn. Bhd (KDSB) rather than to do justice to the 27 million Malaysian people in the RM12.5 billion PKFZ scandal.
The PKA Board had acted properly in expressing reservations on the payment of RM222.58 million to KDSB’s special purpose vehicle, FZCB, because of an RM1.4 billion ongoing suit and considering withholding payment because of its worry that it may not be able to recover funds from KDSB.
Kong’s decision is all the more deplorable as it has now been revealed that KDSB had given undertakings that it will cover any shortfall in bond repayments should PKA fail to do so, making it KDSB’s problem and not that of Malaysian taxpayers.
It has been a full year since the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the formation of a 11-member PKFZ “super taskforce” headed by the Chief Secretary Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan which, among other things, would determine the type of misconduct or criminal element on the part of individuals or entities involved in the project and recommend actions to be taken against them.
However, action on this front in the past year had been minimal, apart from the prosecution of four mid-level officials.
Not a single “big fish” had been arrested although there is hot buzz on the grapevine that “a big fish” would be hauled into court today.
The PKFZ “super task force” is also entrusted with recommending measures to improve governance as well as PKFZ’s management; assess PKA and PKFZ’s financial situation, prepare a restructuring plan for the PKFZ, formulate business models for the PKA and PKFZ, and recommend strategic plans to attract local and foreign investors.
Although the PKFZ “super taskforce” is required to submit reports to the government within six months and from time to time, nothing is known about its activities and reports.
The time has come for all the reports of the PKFZ “super taskforce” to be made public to account for actions taken by Najib administration on the RM12.5 billion PKFZ scandal in the past year.
#1 by boh-liao on Thursday, 29 July 2010 - 3:21 pm
Aiyah, only RM222.58 million mah, much less than d commission paid 2 Razak Baginda
Pay loh 2 cronies
CS MSH where got time 2 investigate, busy scolding LGE n protecting SDO
#2 by boh-liao on Thursday, 29 July 2010 - 3:28 pm
Scandal? What scandal?
Mama Rosa n Mr Taxi Driver/Jake Bull ah?
#3 by Dap man on Thursday, 29 July 2010 - 3:46 pm
Off topic but relevant:
The Information Ministry is distributing a booklet entitled:
“PENGGUNAAN KALIMAH ALLAH OLEH HERALD KATHOLIK” …
Memahami Isu dan Menentukan Sikap.
Now why is the government into this vitriol when the case is on appeal ???????????????
#4 by Bigjoe on Thursday, 29 July 2010 - 3:48 pm
PKR Chua Jui Meng said that the Chinese want fairness. I say Chinese dare not hope for fairness. BUT they don’t want THIS, they don’t want STUPIDITY and INSANITY.
#5 by k1980 on Thursday, 29 July 2010 - 4:00 pm
//It has been a full year since the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the formation of a 11-member PKFZ “super taskforce”//
In England, they have “bend it like Beckham”
In Bolehland, we have “fool ’em like Jibby”
#6 by sheriff singh on Thursday, 29 July 2010 - 4:20 pm
1. The PKA Board of Directors decided not to make the payment.
2. The Minister and government directs the PKA to make the bond installment payment.
3. If the Board of Directors of PKA have any dignity, accountability, self-respect, honour, responsibility, guts left, they will ALL RESIGN immediately. Will they?
4. Unless it is a wayang-show all along, all staged.
5. Is the ATM empty and needs to be refilled? Why don’t they just ask Jho Low to top-up?
#7 by boh-liao on Thursday, 29 July 2010 - 4:29 pm
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_559252.html
MR GUNTOR Sadali, editor of Malay language daily Berita Harian, on Wednesday fired a return salvo in response to recent remarks by former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad about Singapore Malays.
He emphasised that while Singapore Malays and their counterparts in Malaysia share the same culture and heritage, ‘the similarities end there’.
‘We do not believe in being spoon-fed or being too dependent on the government – in other words, we do not have a crutch mentality,’ he said.
Mr Guntor spoke during a ceremony to present the Berita Harian Achiever of the Year award. ‘It is a grave mistake to equate size with ability, just as it is wrong to assume a small minority is weak and insignificant,’ he said.
To illustrate the self-reliant nature of the Malay community, he highlighted its efforts to raise its own funds to build mosques. ‘We do not believe in getting any special treatment, because it would only reduce the value of our achievements and lower our dignity,’ said Mr Guntor.
#8 by sheriff singh on Thursday, 29 July 2010 - 4:32 pm
The government is DESPERATE, very DESPERATE.
Any non-payment will result ultimately in a government default and our all national securities will be rated Junk status very quickly. And we might then become a banana republic. Capital will flow out big time.
Its all because of a few “Letters of Support” or whatever they called them, issued presumably ‘illegally’, by a couple of Ministers for Transport without the government’s knowledge.
So what then about that DAP Klang Municipal Councillor who issued a few ‘Letters of Support’? Are they legal then? Will anybody ever learn?
#9 by dagen on Thursday, 29 July 2010 - 6:09 pm
Ahem. Silence pls. Silence. Thank you. Testing. Testing. 1.2.3. Thank you.
Thank you. Pls. Pls.
Can I have your attention pls. Ladies. Amm. Ladies and gen… Err. Yes. You. Thank you.
Thank you. Now.
Yes. Malaysiakini, today
“PUTRAJAYA: Former transport minister and MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik has been charged in connection with the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal.
The 67-year-old medical doctor-turned-politician arrived at the Kajang Sessions Court, located here, at 4.45pm and appeared calm when swarmed by press photographers.
Ling, clad in a striped shirt, was accompanied by his wife Ena and two sons.
He pleaded not guilty to two charges under Section 417 and 418 of the Penal Code for cheating. If found guilty, Ling could face a jail term.
Sessions Court judge Suzana Hussin then set bail at RM1 million and mention was fixed for Sept 3.
Ling, who requested time to post bail, was released on a personal bond. He will pay the amount at the Sessions Court tomorrow.
Asked if he was confident in fighting the case, he replied, “In the Palace of Justice you must feel confident.”
Earlier, Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail and three DPPs, including head of prosecution Tun Abdul Majid Hamzah, arrived at court around 4pm but declined to speak to the scores of journalists camping there since morning after getting wind that a VIP would be charged.
The other two DPPs were Manoj Kurup and Dzulkifli Ahmad.
Ling, a long-time cabinet minister, was also a close associate of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He was elected MP for the Mata Kuching constituency in 1974. He successfully defended his position in 1978 and 1982.
In 1986, he was elected as the MP for Labis and defended his seat in three subsequent general elections.
The sixth MCA president helmed the party for 17 years until his retirement in 2003.
In 1986, he was appointed transport minister. Prior to that, he had held the position of parliamentary secretary to the Ministry of Local Government and Federal Territory, deputy information minister, deputy finance minister and deputy education minister.
Ling is the most high-profile figure to be hauled to court in recent years.”
#10 by undertaker888 on Thursday, 29 July 2010 - 6:12 pm
get ling liong sick, mca and his cronies to pay…he just got ‘arrested’ for pkfz fiasco. no handcuffs? hmmm…special treatment.
or this is going to be another ..bintang rtm…bintang rtm…
#11 by boh-liao on Thursday, 29 July 2010 - 6:16 pm
Y, can charge TUN 1 meh?
Tot a TUN has immunity against criminal or civil charges
Is this wayang kulit?
What abt d racist MMK? Got charge ah?
#12 by boh-liao on Thursday, 29 July 2010 - 6:17 pm
What abt his billionaire son/sons
Where $$$$ datang 4 these descendants of pendatang
#13 by boh-liao on Thursday, 29 July 2010 - 6:25 pm
What abt d other former MCA transport minister who took over fr LLS
Got charge ah
#14 by dagen on Thursday, 29 July 2010 - 6:28 pm
Yeah. Guess everyone here knew the final outcome before the defence is called. One word. Wayang.
#15 by boh-liao on Thursday, 29 July 2010 - 6:57 pm
RM1 million bail, sup sup suai lah
More also can pay 1, no problemo
Sure JL (not Jo Lopez, but d new rich kid on d block) can gladly help 1, just call Paris
#16 by monsterball on Thursday, 29 July 2010 - 10:01 pm
yip…RM1 million bail…sup dup suai…mow mun tai to Ling.
He wore sandals to the court!!
Not only firsts TUN to be charged…but a TUN that treats the court like a walk in his park…wearing sandals.
Anyone expects him to be jailed is a fool.
#17 by sheriff singh on Thursday, 29 July 2010 - 11:06 pm
He was just going out for Happy Hour with his kakis?
#18 by Taxidriver on Friday, 30 July 2010 - 9:33 am
PKFZ scandal……one doctor charged, another ‘specialist’ doctor still at-large….
#19 by Taxidriver on Friday, 30 July 2010 - 9:56 am
Ling Liong Sik already got sms assuarance that ”everything is OK” Malaysians can expect the court to drag the case like the Perwaja Steel case. Then they waited for Datuk Eric Cheah to expire to close the case. PKFZ is sandiwara part 2
#20 by lopez on Friday, 30 July 2010 - 10:31 pm
Wah lau yeh…..if so quickly all the dirty can of worms are open, and so many task force and committee are hastily formed, malaysians will quckly removed the unemployment rate lor.
like this need more migrant workers leh, how else everyone is checking and investigating something somehow somewhere somewhat important mah
thank you ling for giving empl;oyment, at leat the kampong degress can be of use here…we dont want any mistakes here isnt , i thinkl we can accept some broken translations and sirpellings huh.
otheriwsie we can punish the wrong people…it is not the intension here in bolihalnd.,, right kah