'When will PKFZ probe be done - Resurrection Day?'

Although newly-appointed Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha has said there is no need to look further into the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) fiasco, opposition veteran Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) has refused to let the matter go.

During the Question session in the Dewan Rakyat today, the DAP veteran politician (left) demanded to know why former transport minister Chan Kong Choy has not been probed despite being implicated by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

The PAC had recommended in its report on the PKFZ controversy last year that Chan be probed for criminal breach of trust (CBT) in relation to alleged wrongful issuance of three letters of support.

Chan was said to have issued the letters of support to a turnkey contractor without Finance Ministry approval to raise funds for the project, estimated to cost a whopping RM12.5 billion.

Following the issuance of the letters, a ratings agency had issued an 'AAA' rating for the Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd bonds, which raised their  level to that of bonds guaranteed by the government.

Bonds with government guarantees are usually issued only by the Finance Ministry.

The Port Klang Authority (PKA), however, announced subsequently  that it could not take legal action against Chan (right) since he was not a member of the PKA staff.

Responding to Lim, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Liew Vui Keong told the House that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is only empowered to investigate claims of bribery.

Nonetheless, said Liew, MACC will leave “no stone unturned, no matter who they (those suspected) are and what their positions are".

'Issue dead and buried?'

An unconvinced Lim, however, accused the government of engaging only in "sweet talk" and demanded to know where the probe was headed.

"When will the investigation be completed, Hari Kiamat (Resurrection Day)?"

"Isn't it true that when the AG (attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail, right ) with the IGP (inspector-general of police) announced the charge on three persons, the AG said that this (charge) was just the tip of the iceberg (and that) there are still several stages of investigation?

"The charges against these individuals (were initiated first) as the investigation into the whole team will take a long time. The AG also said that the individuals will be charged in stages. "It's been six months! But what is the answer? Zero!"

Lim asked why, despite the PAC’s recommendation, Chan has not been charged with CBT.

"Is the scandal dead and buried?"

Liew defended that, for Chan to be taken to court, the authorities must ensure that the evidence against him is "beyond reasonable doubt".

“Statements are not enough and not strong. (If it is) only hearsay evidence, the court can throw out the case... so give the MACC an opportunity to investigate," Liew pleaded.

In Dec 09 former PKA general manager OC Phang and three others were charged with CBT and making false claims. They have claimed trial.