Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy dismissed suggestions of any misappropriation of fund in the implementation of the Port Klang Free Zone project.

The project, the cost of which has ballooned to RM4.6 billion, has been a target of opposition parties for the high cost involved and for failing to attract any businesses.

Bernama reported that Chan however denied claims that the project was a failure.

Chan, in a written reply to a question from Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) at the Dewan Rakyat today, explained that the whole cost of the PKFZ project included the cost of purchasing the land for RM1.807 billion.

He added that other costs included the building of infrastructure facilities amounting to RM1.845 billion, professional fees of 10 percent and variables limited to 20 percent (if used).

He said that the PKFZ was a national project involving the development of infrastructures to help the cargo industry growth in Port Klang.

He was quoted as saying that the government would give financial support for the project just as it would for all other strategic and big projects.

"It is the same for PKFZ. The government has approved easy loans to the Port Klang Authority (PKA)," he said.

On claims that the PKFZ project was a failure, Chan cited that within a short frame of time, PKFZ had successfully attracted 30 investors with investments amounting to RM725 million and job offers to 809 people.

This was achieved between Nov 1 last year and August this year.

Motion rejected

In a series of reports two months ago, malaysiakini revealed a tale of corruption, abuse of power and mismanagement involving the mega-project.

The free trade zone aims to turn Malaysia into a cost-effective logistics and manufacturing hub that would rival Singapore and China.

As the ailing PKA is unable to meet its debt repayments, the government had last week agreed to approve a multi-billion ringgit "soft loan' to the agency.

Details of the RM4.6 billion bailout - considered the biggest bailout in the country's history - has yet to be revealed.

Yesterday an urgent motion by Lim to debate the bailout was rejected by Dewan Rakyat speaker Ramli Ngah Talib.

"The government is looking into the matter and as such there is no need to debate it in Parliament," said Ramli in disallowing the debate.

Lim immediately responded by saying that he was "disappointed" by the speaker's action and considered it a setback in the campaign against corruption.

"It would appear that no Barisan Nasional MP (member of parliament) is prepared to take a principled stand demanding full parliamentary accountability of the scandal," he had said.

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