Having read the Position Review of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project, I am baffled by the bizarre circumstances the contracts are awarded. It is not only haphazard but also thoroughly unprofessional.

It thoroughly exposes the Port Klang Authority (PKA)'s system of awarding this huge contract through 'negotiations' of prices with pre-determined contractors. It is an utterly nonsensical and an unacceptable practice, unimaginable in a democracy in this modern age. It is a system fraught with opportunities of corruption by officials and profiteering by contractors.

Sadly, like all mega-projects there were no public consultation on this gigantic financial commitment.

How on earth can contracts of billions of ringgit be entered on the basis of estimated amounts, without detailed plans and without competitive bids?

Why was there such a haste in the completion in two years contrary to the JAFZI/TSG Masterplan which recommended multiple phases over eight years? As a result only 77 units of the 512 of the Light Industrial Units are rented out.

We must congratulate the transport minister for his full disclosure and instructing PKA to report this matter for Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to conduct an investigation. Let the chips fall where they should regardless of however high ranking whosoever is involved.

It is hoped that MACC's investigation would bring those responsible to book and be a lesson to others in the future to demonstrate Malaysia's seriousness in demanding high standards of responsibility among those entrusted with the financial future of the country.

It was most encouraging to learn that the PKA had deferred the payments of RM660 million to the contractors on the recommendation of the Special Task Force of legal eagles, subject to a complete quantitative assessment of the work done.

However, this deferment was short-lived! The Finance Ministry (MOF) ordered that PKA to pay immediately. This is a questionable instruction. In the first place, had MOF done the necessary calculations to satisfy itself that the implementation of this project will not bring catastrophic financial consequences that may burden taxpayers for generations to come.

How could the MOF erred in such a big margin in approving the financing of this colossal project, considering their formidable cumulative expertise in project evaluation and lending?

As Malaysian taxpayers, the public are the real losers in this colossal scam. Doesn't the BN and the prime minister with his 1Malaysia vision owe the people a full explanation?

Parliament must take a more serious view as the lack of financial propriety, probity, integrity reflects on the government of the day. The time is not too late to stop the rot by plugging the massive haemorrhage of our financial resources by discarding corrupt and wasteful projects and injecting some good sense to restore rationality to the management of this country.

PM Najib must take the lead.