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| PKFZ report now with ministers |
| Written by Sharon Tan | |||
| Thursday, 21 May 2009 10:37 | |||
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In response to the numerous requests and enquiries from the press on the status of the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report on the controversial PKFZ project, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said, through his blog www.ongteekeat.net, that the report was first discussed in the cabinet last week and was again discussed yesterday. “The Cabinet members were given the opportunity to study the report in greater detail,” said Ong. He also said that Port Klang Authority (PKA) had resolved several technical issues with PwC to release the report, including the letter of indemnity. “I remain committed to the policy of transparency and openness because this is what a ‘People First, Performance Now’ government should be. “The people not only have the right to know but should be assured that the government is acting in their best interest,” said Ong, adding that he was confident that his cabinet colleagues shared the same vision and aspirations. One of the first things Ong did when he took office last year was to order an audit on the PKFZ project. The project hogged the limelight after its cost ballooned to RM4.6 billion from an initial estimate of less than RM2.5 billion. PKA, under the chairmanship of Datuk Lee Hwa Beng, appointed PwC to work on the report, which was completed in about six months. On April 29, Ong directed Lee to release the report to the public after some documents were declassified. However, it was delayed because the PKA board had to furnish a letter of indemnity to PwC. This was because of a standing practice adopted by the accounting firm and also the terms had varied. It is learnt that when PKA first commissioned PwC, the report was not meant for public disclosure. It is learnt that the issue has now been resolved. Earlier, DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang took a swipe at Ong for procrastinating to fulfil his pledge to tell all about the PKFZ project. He said it was time for the government to reveal the PKFZ report so that action could be taken on those responsible. Commenting on the reported resignation of PKFZ general manager Lim Thian Shiang, the DAP MP said that a briefing to BN backbenchers on the PKFZ report was improper and irregular. It was reported yesterday that that Lim had tendered his resignation following a fallout with Ong over some matters in relation to the PKFZ project. It included Lim’s briefing to BN backbenchers on May 5 on the project, which allegedly was made without Ong’s approval. “The ‘secret’ briefing by Lim to the Barisan Nasional MPs is most improper and irregular. Whether with or without his prior approval, Ong must assume full ministerial responsibility for the briefing by Lim to the BN backbenchers on the PKFZ scandal,” said Lim in his blog. Lim also questioned if the Official Secrets Act (OSA) was breached given the protracted delay in releasing the report. Lim in his statement also quoted a May 7 report of The Straits Times of Singapore which cited the cost as exceeding RM12 billion (S$5 billion) and alleged management irregularities. This article appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, May 21, 2009.
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