Hell hath no fury like a works minister scorned. And on the receiving end of Samy Vellu's salvo was the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and its chairperson Shahrir Abdul Samad.

Samy Vellu has accused the PAC of meddling in his ministry's affairs and even suggested that Shahrir take over the reins.

"Please allow the ministry to do its work. There must be limits to the PAC. You are not the operator of this ministry. This ministry has a minister and its officers," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

"My director-general has a lot of responsibilities. We can't be going there for every meeting to answer their questions. I direct them (PAC), if they have a question, put it in writing and we will reply," he added.

Samy Vellu was responding to a question on whether the Public Works Department (JKR) should discuss to lower the RM100 million claim by Gerbang Perdana Sdn Bhd, the contractor in charge of building the eight-lane overhead highway in Johor Baru linking the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex.

Shahrir told reporters on Monday that the committee would suggest to the JKR to negotiate with Gerbang Perdana to reduce the RM100-million compensation following the cancellation of the scenic bridge that was to have replaced the causeway connecting Johor Baru and Singapore.

The decision was reached after the committee was briefed by the JKR at Parliament House on the scrapped half-bridge project.

'We are not stupid'

Responding, Samy Vellu said the ministry was not "blind" to give away the RM100 million demanded by the contractor.

"We are not stupid and the PAC must be aware of this. Any contractor can ask for RM100 million but we are not going to give it to them. We have to consider the request, discuss with our engineers, visit the site (construction site) and get more details before making any decision.

"If not ask the PAC chairman to come and sit here and run the ministry. When he approves any project, we will implement it," he added.

Samy Vellu said although the Works Ministry was involved in implementing projects, it was the Finance Ministry which makes the final approval.

"We are the implementing agent for the Finance Ministry for all projects and tenders. I don't want any other party to interfere and disturb our work," he said.

Ridiculous suggestion

He also said it was ridiculous for Shahrir to suggest that the ministry buy houses affected by the Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Highway project.

"When we take over any land for projects, we pay proper compensation but not for houses near the project. Doesn't the PAC chairman know that ...

"One day, when we have a project passing through Kuala Lumpur, do we have to buy the whole of Kuala Lumpur to build roads? Who is going to pay? He should be more responsible," he added.

In another development, Samy Vellu said he would meet former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to explain the government's decision to cancel the scenic bridge project.

"What is done by my ministry, I will seek an appointment with Dr Mahathir Mohamad and will give him an explanation. I will present him a paper for his information.

"I have already instructed my DG (director-general) to prepare the papers. Next week, when the papers are ready, I will seek an appointment with him," he said.