The former Port Klang Authority (PKA) chairperson Lee Hwa Beng said he is vindicated and delighted by the Shah Alam High Court’s verdict against former PKA general manager OC Phang.

This is especially since the Attorney-General’s Chambers had dropped criminal charges against Phang in 2016. 

“I’m vindicated by this decision as the criminal case was actually ‘dropped’ by AG’s office. My many years of time not wasted […]

“I’m really happy with the court decision,” he told Malaysiakini today.

Earlier today, the court ordered Phang to pay PKA damages for the losses it suffered as a result of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal. 

Phang’s lawyers had argued that she was merely acting upon instructions of the Transport Ministry, Finance Ministry and the prime minister, but Justice M Gunalan said she had failed to call key witnesses to back her claims.

The judge concurred with PKA that Phang was answerable to the PKA and cannot bypass its board of directors, and enter agreements binding to PKA by relying solely on sanctions of the Transport Ministry, Finance Ministry and the prime minister. 

The court will also be hearing submissions on Oct 4 on whether PKA’s board of directors would also be liable. They were brought in by Phang as third-party claimants.

Lee said he had originally wanted to sue PKA’s entire board of directors for breach of trust instead of just suing Phang. 

“My idea then was to send a message to all those sitting in statutory boards or government-linked companies (that they) carry financial responsibilites, if you close your eyes to abuses,” he said.