The Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) scandal could be sitting on a huge pile of similar cases where there is collusion between business and political interests at the highest level in the country.

According to Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI) director Dr Lim Teck Ghee, the public disclosure of the irregular claims between these two entities is possibly ‘the tip of the ice-berg' where national problems of such a nature is concerned.

He was airing his personal views to Malaysiakini on KDSB's business conduct in regard to the Port Kelang Free Trade Zone (PKFZ) scandal.

The disclosure referred to the PKFZ special task force's recently revealed irregularities in claims made by KDSB, with the amount ranging from RM500 million to RM1 billion.

"It (the PKFZ fiasco) is not a case in isolation; it is a systemic cancer reflecting the way in which government procurement and businesses have been conducted in many sectors," he said.

ijok ceramah 220407 lim teck ghee Dr Lim ( left ) said that the conduct of KDSB opens a pandora box of questions, particularly regarding the synergy between politics and economics.

"From the disclosures so far, it appears that KDSB was possibly engaged in fraudulent or illegal business practices on a massive scale.

"This collusion is one of the factors that has been bleeding the country's public finances dry," he said.

Former Transparency International (TI) president Ramon Navaratnam also described the issue as national and societal, equivalent to "money politics".

"It (money politics) is appalling and the root of all evil. It should not be encouraged or practised in any form. The government must give high priority in stomping out money politics. If not, fighting against corruption will be difficult," he said.

Navaratnam also said that it is the responsibility of both Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat and KDSB CEO Tiong King Sing to expose the scandal.

Donations only if disclosed

"They are to be held responsible and must observe transparency and integrity at all times. Both members must make it their business to ask the right questions in order to obtain the right answers," he said.

Dr Lim also pointed out that it was unethical for any minister to accept political donations unless it is made publicly transparent.

"The fact that these practices have been hidden from public knowledge makes one wonder how widespread and rampant such practices are, and also, what the MACC is doing about it." he said.

"(Ong) Tee Keat must be aware that there is no such thing as a free ride or a free dinner for someone in his position. If he was not aware then he is guilty of a serious lack of judgment.

"He has compromised his image as a political leader of integrity," he added.

Dr Lim said this in reference to Tiong's statement that Ong had received RM 10 million in donations and that Ong had used the KDSB company jet five times.