Former Port Klang Authority chairperson Lee Hwa Beng said he is happy to finally see the suit between PKA against its former general manager OC Phang for the Port Klang Free Zone project, see the light of day.

Speaking to Malaysiakini on the sidelines of the case today, he said the suit was filed by PKA in 2009, after PKA lodge police and Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission reports.

“At that time we decided to file the civil suit in case there is no action taken by the police and authorities, to recover over the purported losses (or bad decisions made by the previous administration).

“It seems now that this is a correct decision. I am happy that the case see the light of day. I hope the current regime does not withdraw the case.

“It is in the interest of the public that the case be known,” he said.

The trial begins today before Shah Alam High Court judge Justice M Gunalan, with an opening statement read by PKA lawyer Lim Chee Wee.

PKA is suing Phang for alleged criminal breach of trust and breach of fiduciary duties leading to a sudden rise in costs from RM1 billion to RM7.453 billion for the purchase of the land (from Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd).

Lee was appointed as PKA chairperson in 2008, when then MCA president Ong Tee Keat was Transport Minister.

Lee who had been expelled by the MCA in 2013, last month said he was unhappy with the prosecution's decision to discharge its CBT case on Phang, which led to an acquittal.

“I testified against her for two weeks and the (PKFZ) case went on for about seven years. So now, to me in hindsight, it was a waste of time and also a waste of government's money," said Lee.

Lee will take the stand tomorrow as PKA's first witness.