MCA has accused DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang of misleading the public for suggesting the acquittal of a former minister in the Port Klang Free Trade Zone (PKFZ) project allowed a free hand for the dereliction of duties.

NONE“Lim has misled the public as the judgement as reported does not warrant any conclusion of ‘immunity on dereliction of duty' as claimed by Lim", argued MCA deputy president Liow Tiong Lai (left) in a statement yesterday.

Lim had said that the acquittal of former MCA president Ling Liong Sik, who was former transport minister, was giving a "blank cheque for ministers to enjoy immunity and impunity for whatever dereliction of duties in the course of official duties".

Liow reasoned that the High Court judgment acquitting Ling, the judge had found that Ling did not have any guilty mind in committing any alleged cheating with regards to PKFZ.

The MCA leader also reasoned the government also consists of civil servants who advise on technical reports and Ling who not the sole person to be held responsible if there were any cheating.

‘Ling just a messenger’

"Ling was conveying in good faith the note or paper to the cabinet for a collective decision.

"In the circumstances, the issue of 'immunity on dereliction of duty' as alleged by Lim could not arise and is definitely baseless," he said.

ong tee keat pkfz klang visit 060508 12Liow said he agreed that Ling should not have been charged in the first place.

"Ling is clearly a victim under this prosecution and I am glad that the truth prevails and he is acquitted”, say Liow.

Ling was on Oct 25 acquitted of misleading the cabinet overt the PKFZ project when he was minister.

The 70-year-old was charged with cheating the government by not disclosing to the cabinet an additional interest rate of 7.5 percent per annum on the purchase price of the land for the PKFZ project.

Critics have blamed Ling's acquittal on the attorney-general framing the charge in a manner that let the former transport minister off the hook in the RM12.5 billion scandal