COMMENT
By WONG CHUN WAI

It had not been easy for the Transport Minister as several personalities named in the report included former MCA leaders and other powerful figures.

In short, many regarded Ong’s decision as politically incorrect as he would ruffle feathers but the MCA president has decided to push on, insisting that what is right would be more important than what is politically right.

The report has already been submitted to the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission, which said it had completed its preliminary findings.

The press has highlighted the issue and as the pressure is being exerted, at least two newspapers have received letters from legal firms. The impression given, rightly or wrongly, is that attempts are made to shut up the media.

But the press has a duty to pursue this case because it involves the loss of billions of ringgit belonging to taxpayers. We would be failing in our responsibilities if the report is allowed to gather dust, forgotten and dismissed.

The public expects those who are responsible for the fiasco to be booked, if there is any criminal element, and if it was pure negligence, the people want to know how this could have happened.

Many of those named and not named have plenty to answer to. So far, none has done so except former Port Klang Authority chairman Datuk Chor Chee Heung.

The Deputy Finance Minister said the PKFZ fiasco has taught him one lesson — that one should not simply accept any job offer.

He had accepted the post as part of “national service” but he said he was being held responsible for “something which happened a long time ago.”

“I wish to assure everyone that I never deviated from my moral standard and accountability. One thing I have learned from this is that I will be more prudent and not simply accept any job offers.”

Chor has made two statements and his remarks to the press was his third. Most have opted to remain silent, probably on the advice of their battery of lawyers.

Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, the chief executive officer of Wijaya Baru Holdings, has also spoken to a Chinese newspaper.

The Barisan Backbenchers Club chairman has denied becoming rich by raking in the people’s money, saying he had disposed of 45% of Wijaya Baru shares of RM157mil on Dec 7, 1999.

He also said his company was considering taking legal action against certain individuals and not PKA.

But as the nation waits to see how the MACC and the relevant authorities will act, the Transport Ministry has taken the right steps of forming a Special Task Force and two committees to take immediate actions based on the findings of the report.

Qualified personalities who are lawyers, accountants, quantity surveyors and building cost consultants have been named with PKA nominating senior lawyer Vinayak Pradhan from Skrine, one of the most reputable law firms in Malaysia.

A committee of corporate governance to be led by Datuk Paul Low, the Transparency International Malaysia president, has also been set up. It will be tasked with putting in place long term control mechanisms.

At PKFZ level, an executive committee has been named to look at cost effectiveness and transparency.

These measures are unprecedented and certainly in line with the reforms carried out by the Prime Minister. Such proactive measures, initiated by Ong, will go a long way in helping to fulfil the Government’s commitment to integrity and accountability.

The PKA has take the right step in setting up a website to answer questions relating to the PKFZ issue, as proper and accurate information is essential.

The public has the right to know what are the actions that have been taken and the updates on the issue as it involves their money.

At the end of the day, politicians must be answerable to the public — that is the only right thing to do.Thursday June 11, 2009

PKFZ and the public’s right to know
COMMENT
By WONG CHUN WAI

It had not been easy for the Transport Minister as several personalities named in the report included former MCA leaders and other powerful figures.

In short, many regarded Ong’s decision as politically incorrect as he would ruffle feathers but the MCA president has decided to push on, insisting that what is right would be more important than what is politically right.

The report has already been submitted to the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission, which said it had completed its preliminary findings.

The press has highlighted the issue and as the pressure is being exerted, at least two newspapers have received letters from legal firms. The impression given, rightly or wrongly, is that attempts are made to shut up the media.

But the press has a duty to pursue this case because it involves the loss of billions of ringgit belonging to taxpayers. We would be failing in our responsibilities if the report is allowed to gather dust, forgotten and dismissed.

The public expects those who are responsible for the fiasco to be booked, if there is any criminal element, and if it was pure negligence, the people want to know how this could have happened.

Many of those named and not named have plenty to answer to. So far, none has done so except former Port Klang Authority chairman Datuk Chor Chee Heung.

The Deputy Finance Minister said the PKFZ fiasco has taught him one lesson — that one should not simply accept any job offer.

He had accepted the post as part of “national service” but he said he was being held responsible for “something which happened a long time ago.”

“I wish to assure everyone that I never deviated from my moral standard and accountability. One thing I have learned from this is that I will be more prudent and not simply accept any job offers.”

Chor has made two statements and his remarks to the press was his third. Most have opted to remain silent, probably on the advice of their battery of lawyers.

Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, the chief executive officer of Wijaya Baru Holdings, has also spoken to a Chinese newspaper.

The Barisan Backbenchers Club chairman has denied becoming rich by raking in the people’s money, saying he had disposed of 45% of Wijaya Baru shares of RM157mil on Dec 7, 1999.

He also said his company was considering taking legal action against certain individuals and not PKA.

But as the nation waits to see how the MACC and the relevant authorities will act, the Transport Ministry has taken the right steps of forming a Special Task Force and two committees to take immediate actions based on the findings of the report.

Qualified personalities who are lawyers, accountants, quantity surveyors and building cost consultants have been named with PKA nominating senior lawyer Vinayak Pradhan from Skrine, one of the most reputable law firms in Malaysia.

A committee of corporate governance to be led by Datuk Paul Low, the Transparency International Malaysia president, has also been set up. It will be tasked with putting in place long term control mechanisms.

At PKFZ level, an executive committee has been named to look at cost effectiveness and transparency.

These measures are unprecedented and certainly in line with the reforms carried out by the Prime Minister. Such proactive measures, initiated by Ong, will go a long way in helping to fulfil the Government’s commitment to integrity and accountability.

The PKA has take the right step in setting up a website to answer questions relating to the PKFZ issue, as proper and accurate information is essential.

The public has the right to know what are the actions that have been taken and the updates on the issue as it involves their money.

At the end of the day, politicians must be answerable to the public — that is the only right thing to do.

Scandal brewing over contracts
By ELAN PERUMAL

THE Selangor government is embroiled in a brewing scandal over the issue of awarding waste management contracts in the state.

Allegations are being made that the local authorities are awarding the contracts based on a quota system to accommodate the three Pakatan Rakyat coalition parties of PAS, DAP and the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

It is alleged that contractors aligned with the PKR have been given 40% of the share while those associated with the DAP and PAS get 30% each.

StarMetro had reported on the matter last week under the headline Contracts are given on merit, says Liu, quoting state local government, studies and research committee chairman Ronnie Liu as denying that the state had such a quota system.

Petaling Jaya councillor A. Thiruvenggadam had alleged that the state had awarded the Alam Flora waste management contracts based on the political connection of the contractors.

‘’They have done so by dividing the Alam Flora contracts into 40% for the PKR, 30% for PAS and 30% for the DAP and this is wrong and against good governance practices and will lead to corruption,’’ Thiruvenggadam said.

He claimed that most of the councillors in Selangor were taken by surprise when told about this contract arrangement between the parties.

Following Thiruvenggadam’s allegation, the Selangor Umno Youth had taken up the matter to the state Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

According to Selangor Umno Youth chief Suhaimi Mohd Ghazali, they have enough reasons to suspect that there was lack of transparency on the awarding of contracts by the state government.

“We have urged the MACC to investigate thoroughly the councillor’s allegations as we believe there is truth to his claims,” he said.

“Thiruvenggadam is a councillor appointed by the Pakatan Rakyat and it is obvious that he knows what he is talking about.

“I believe that there is no transparency in the way the contracts are awarded,’’ Suhaimi said.

Petaling Jaya Utara MP and DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua, meanwhile, has issued a press statement demanding that the Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor government investigate and dispel the allegations of contracts being offered based on political patronage.

Pua said the state must promote competitive and transparent tenders for public services.

He said the DAP viewed with serious concerns the allegation by Thiruvenggadam and wanted the state executive council to immediately investigate the veracity of his claims which posed serious credibility threats to the Pakatan Rakyat state government.

Pua urged state infrastructure and public amenities committee chairman Datuk Dr Hassan Mohd Ali, who is responsible for the Alam Flora waste management services, to confirm or deny the allegations.

“The allegations, if true, will put us on a slippery slope to become a government which condones patronage and cronyism, no different from the Barisan Nasional,” he said.

“However, if the allegations are found to be false or misguided, then Thiruvenggadam must apologise for his allegations,” Pua said.

Pua said the DAP strongly condemned all political patronage practices in the awarding of public services contracts.

When contacted, Liu reaffirmed and reiterated his earlier statement that there was no truth in the allegations made by Thiruvenggadam.

Liu said if the allegations were true, it would not be possible for those aligned with Umno to be awarded contracts under the Pakatan Rakyat state rule.

“Many Umno contractors are getting contracts from the local authorities now and this would never happen if the contracts are awarded on a quota system to Pakatan parties,” he said.

BY M. SIVANANTHA SHARMA

NIBONG TEBAL: A DAP division chief has lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) against another DAP assemblyman for alleged fund misappropriation for a karaoke set.

Nibong Tebal DAP division chief Teh Hock Yong said he lodged the report against Jawi assemblyman Tan Beng Huat after he received information on the matter from a committee member of the Persatuan Amal Chin Chee Koj in Taman Bistari here.

Teh said RM2,000 had been put aside as allocation to buy the karaoke set but the item was only worth about RM450.

“An officer from the MACC took statements from me on April 15 which was witnessed by two DAP members,” Teh told reporters on Wednesday.

WE congratulate Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat for his steadfastness in wanting to keep to his promise that he is all for transparency.

He strongly advocated that the PcW report should be made public. He assured that his ministry was not only committed to getting the report released, but also in ensuring that all the possible remedies within its jurisdiction would be explored to protect public interest.

Admittedly, Ong’s lot is not an enviable one. He has inherited this controversial legacy from his two predecessors and he has been evenhanded and consistent in his personal positioning in dealing with this PKFZ fiasco.

He has exhibited integrity, transparency and accountability. He has commissioned a professional audit. It has been a tedious long-drawn process in the declassification of the government documents and in obtaining the prerequisite Cabinet approvals to release the PcW’s audit report in its entirety.

He has been quoted to have said, “It has been a long journey for me personally. It is one that is fraught with challenges and hurdles from within and without.”

Since taking office as Transport Minister, it must have been a long and treacherous road for him, especially with this PKFZ fiasco on his shoulders. Now the report has finally been released for all to see and examine; it may have taken some time but it is better late than never.

However, it has not helped in undoing the untold damage in public perception. The minister has been incessantly harassed by the stubborn and provocative opposition MP Lim Kit Siang. To me, Kit Siang should be decent enough to admit that Ong has been instrumental and courageous enough to commission a professional audit on the PKFZ and to release the report for public viewing in its entirety.

An MACC report has also been made by PKA. My suggestion to Kit Siang is to be patient. Allow the proper authorities (MACC) and the police the necessary space to examine and investigate the discrepancies (if any). Let the law take its course.

Of course, members of the public and MPs like Lim are at liberty to make further police reports if they deem it fit. They are also at liberty to be the “watch dogs” in monitoring and persuading the authorities to be expeditious in their investigations and to take the necessary actions against the perpetrators of any crime in this fiasco.

Lim should not make BN and its leaders his whipping boys and he cannot be allowed to treat them as garbage bins, merely to collect blame and slander arising from the immoral behaviour of others.

Members of the opposition parties and their supporters are not free from sins. Cer tain ly they cannot be saints. I am mindful of the saying that the first lesson in politics is that your mistakes almost always come back to haunt you.

We have often heard in the last few decades demands by DAP leaders for ministers to take responsibility for failure by resigning. However, the DAP conveniently ignored this very basic principle of leadership responsibi lity. The DAP suffered one of its biggest defeats in the 1995 general elections. The party won only nine parliamentary seats and 11 state seats compared with 20 parliamentary and 46 state seats it had won the 1990 general elections. The party suffered a 31.3% drop in the total number of votes secured. The DAP also suffered another catastrophic defeat in the 1999 general election, including Kit Siang’s personal defeat, but he did not step down.

The DAP leaders were said to continue to purvey the same Jurassic fare, arguing that “we still need him, he can still contribute”. Democracy is about taking responsibility and whether a leader can still contribute is subsidiary.

I can still remember Karpal’s clear statement when Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye resigned in 1990. “Nobody is indispensable,” he said, and yet when it came to Lim taking responsibility for the political defeat of the DAP, we hear the long-drawn chorus: “We still need him, he can still contribute!”

If such extraneous reasons for holding onto office can have currency, then ministers do not need to resign over any political failures, if their party members believe that they “still have much to contribute”.

Now, with Pakatan Rakyat locked in an obvious power struggle and its alliance is at a shaky and fragile level, the DAP adviser may be an angry and insecure man. Especially as the Penang Chief Minister’s seat is shaken by the much publicised mutiny, boycott and shows of open defiance towards the DAP leadership in the state.

It may be prudent for the ageing Kit Siang to focus his energy and to show whether he is still relevant in PR and can still contribute. Do not spend this energy lashing out angry tirades at the Transport Minister and the BN government. Let the MACC do its job!

RONNIE TAN,

Kuala Lumpur.

MACC nabs building officer

KUALA LUMPUR: A senior building officer has been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for alleged graft involving the inspection of a renovated hotel in Penang.

It is learnt that the 54-year-old officer was detained by Penang MACC officers on Saturday after he allegedly collected RM7,000 from the contractor involved in the renovation.

The officer was alleged to have demanded RM21,000 from the contractor for renovation works carried out on a shoplot that had been converted into a hotel.

Sources said the officer had allegedly demanded that the money be given in three payments of RM7,000 each.

MACC officers arrested the officer shortly after he collected the money at about 9pm.

Penang MACC director Latifah Md Yatim confirmed the arrest but declined to elaborate.

It is learnt that the MACC is checking whether the renovation works were done in compliance with building standards.

Sources said the recent collapse of a Terengganu stadium roof had led authorities to become more alert.

Chor to explain to Najib and Tee Keat

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung will meet Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak soon to explain his position concerning the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) issue.

“I will explain to the Prime Minister, especially on matters relating to the Finance Ministry,” he said.

Bernama quoted Chor as saying yesterday that he would also be seeing Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat to explain the matter.

In the PKFZ report released on Thursday, auditors said it was possible that Chor had a conflict of interest as he was the Wijaya Baru Global Bhd (WBGB) non-executive deputy chairman and the Port Klang Authority (PKA) chairman in 2007.

Chor also said that he had given his explanation to Second Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah on Friday.

On Friday, Chor released a press statement denying that there was any conflict of interest in his role in the PKFZ project.

WBGB is linked to the main developer of PKFZ, Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB).

Asked whether he would take any legal action, Chor said there was no need so far as he was not involved but felt that his image had been damaged “a bit”.

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The Independent candidate for the Penanti state by-election, Aminah Abdullah has denied she had laid a trap for two PKR members to come to her house on May 13.

“Kak Min has cordial relations with both of them and they have always come for ‘makan’, receptions and Hari Raya at my house.

“But I did not invite them on May 13. Instead, one of them had contacted me, wanting to see me.

“No one from PKR contacted me after I left the party in 2007 except for the duo,” she claimed while campaigning in Simpang Tiga Kubang Ulu here on Wednesday.

Aminah, who was the former PKR Wanita chief, has lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) alleging that two PKR members had offered her RM80,000 and the Penang Deputy Chief Minister 1 post should she win the by-election and rejoin the party.

PKR supreme council member Cheah Kah Peng and an assistant to a state executive councillor, Peter Lim Eng Nam have claimed that they fell into Aminah’s trap as she had invited them to have lunch at her house in Jelutong.

“Do you want Kak Min to swear (on the Al-Quran) about it? Kak Min can give them the CD if they want,” said Aminah, as she showed the CD to reporters.

Aminah also claimed that she had been threatened over the phone to withdraw the report.

“I believe the calls were made from public phone booths. This is a cowardly act,” she said, adding that she would not withdraw the report.

She said she would not apologise and was not scared of a threat by Penang PKR chairman Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim that the party would file a defamation suit against her.

Aminah said she would also expose an event which happened in a hotel in Jawi in 2007 that she had reported to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail.

“But no action was taken. I have the facts,” said Aminah. – Bernama

(Update 3)

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Independent candidate Aminah Abdullah claimed she had been offered the post of Penang Municipal Council president and RM80,000 in compensation if she would withdraw from the May 31 Penanti by-election.

If she did contest and won, she would have been given the Deputy Chief Minister 1 post, she claimed at a press conference at her makeshift election centre in Kubang Ulu here Monday morning.

Aminah said that two “top PKR leaders” had approached her at her home in Jelutong on May 13 to make the offers, which she alleged had come with the blessings of PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Claiming she had as evidence, audio on CD and a video-clip on a handphone, Aminah, 56, said she would be lodging a report with the Election Commission on Tuesday at 11am.

Aminah later made a report at the Central Seberang Prai district police headquarters, saying she feared for her safety.

The Deputy Chief Minister 1 post and Penanti state seat were left vacant by Mohamed Fairus Khairudin earlier this year while he was under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for alleged corruption.

The MACC has since cleared him of any wrongdoing, but Fairus said he now wants to further his studies.

Arrayed against Aminah in the Penanti by-election are Penang PKR deputy chairman Mansor Othman, 59, and independents manufacturing manager Nai Khan Ari, 41, and businessman Kamarul Ramizu Idris, 42.

“I have all the evidence on CD and will distribute this to the media soon to tell the people the truth about this man named Anwar Ibrahim,” Aminah said, accompanied by her husband Mohd Rofi and her eldest daughter Hernanie, 25.

She said her family members were witnesses to the meeting between her and the two PKR leaders, and they had recorded the full meeting which had lasted about three hours.

She said the same leaders also met her again twice after that, once more at her home and a third time at an office in Seberang Jaya, within a week.

“The offer was made as they claim that Dr Mansor is a weak and unpopular leader and might lose in the by-election,” she said.

Aminah, the former Penang PKR Wanita chief, first made the allegations last Saturday after filing her papers at the nomination centre.

PKR strategy director Tian Chua scoffed at her allegations, saying that PKR were the favourites to win the by-election.

He said the party would be initiating legal action against Aminah later Monday unless she retracted her statement and apologised for it.

He had previously urged her to also lodge a report with the MACC.

On Monday, Aminah said she would leave it to the Election Commission to take the matter up with the graft-busting agency.

PETALING JAYA: PAS Ulama Council chief Datuk Mohamed Daud Iraqi has been questioned by the Malaysian Anti Corrup-tion Agency following his recent remark alleging money politics has crept into the party.

Mohamed Daud said the commission officers had met him on Thursday.

“I have answered all their questions. There is nothing to it anymore.

“The matter is closed,’’ he said when contacted yesterday.

The commission’s chief, Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan, was quoted in a Malay daily as saying that Mohamed Daud would be called to give his statement over allegations of money politics in the run-up to PAS elections.

Mohamed Daud said he was not sure if a certain candidate vying for a post had bribed supporters.

“It is all hearsay. When I heard about it, I merely issued a warning because I do not want such practices to become a culture,’’ he said.

nesday May 12, 2010

Trader: I was asked to trap Wahid

KUALA LUMPUR: A businessman told the Sessions Court that he was asked by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to help “trap” former Immigration director-general Datuk Wahid Md Don.

Datuk Seri Low Chang Hian, 66, said he was asked by the MACC to hand over RM60,000 to Wahid, failing which he would be prosecuted.

He said he was given two options – either be a witness or be charged in court.

Low was testifying in the trial of Wahid, 57, who is charged with receiving a RM60,000 bribe from him to expedite the approval of 4,337 visas for Bangladeshi workers. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: A businessman told the Sessions Court that he was asked by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to help “trap” former Immigration director-general Datuk Wahid Md Don.

Datuk Seri Low Chang Hian, 66, said he was asked by the MACC to hand over RM60,000 to Wahid, failing which he would be prosecuted.

He said he was given two options – either be a witness or be charged in court.

Low was testifying in the trial of Wahid, 57, who is charged with receiving a RM60,000 bribe from him to expedite the approval of 4,337 visas for Bangladeshi workers. – Bernama