Four key players in the Port Klang Free Zone debacle have been let off the hook by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and will not be called in for questioning.

The four are former PKFZ general manager OC Phang, former Port Klang Authority chairperson and current Deputy Finance Minister Chor Chee Hueng and two former Transport Minister Ling Liong Sik and Chan Kong Choy.

parliament session 031108 azmi khalid Speaking to reporters after the second day of PAC's inquiry on PKFZ, PAC chairperson Azmi Khalid said it was not necessary for the four to testify.

He added that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission was the rightful authority to probe the four.

"There was a suggestion (for the four individuals to be called), but we feel it is unnecessary. It is up to MACC to decide," said Azmi.

It is believed that the suggestion for the four to testify came from the four opposition members in the PAC, but Azmi shot down the call.

Ling and Chan's roles in the PKFZ fiasco is currently under the public microscope because the project was initiated during their tenure.

PAC-MACC meet next week

Meanwhile, Azmi announced that PAC would be meeting MACC officials next week to discuss the PKFZ issue.

He said that PAC would be enquiring about MACC's status of investigations as well as making some suggestions.

"PAC has no power to perform deeper investigations but MACC has the power," said Azmi, according to a report on the Edge Financial Daily website.

port klang free zone pkfz audit Azmi added that investigations on PKFZ should also go beyond the recently released audit report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on the project.

The damning audit report listed a litany of improprieties and estimated that unless properly managed, the project outlay was likely to balloon from an initial RM1.9 billion to a staggering RM12 billion.

Meanwhile, individuals who appeared before PAC today included current PKA chair Lee Hwa Beng, the transport ministry secretary-general Zakaria Bahari and representatives from PwC.