Report on PKFZ probe out this month
Although investigations have been ‘held up', Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat says the report on the on-going investigation into the Port Klang Free Zone scandal will be released at the end of the month.
Although investigations have been ‘held up', Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat says the report on the on-going investigation into the Port Klang Free Zone scandal will be released at the end of the month.
"I want to get it done fast but certain things are holding me back," he said.
Investigations into the government's controversial RM4.6 billion ‘soft loan' to PKFZ are divided into two parts - a probe by the Transport Ministry and an audit by international audit firm, Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC).
Speaking to reporters after launching a seminar in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia today, Ong explained that his ministry's investigation is focused on the qualitative aspects of the matter, while PWC's audit looks at the quantitative aspect.
"The quantitative aspect has to do with figures, while the qualitative aspect focuses on the chronology of events," Ong said, adding that his ministry has completed its investigations and will release a report at the end of the month.
One of Ong's first missions after being appointed transport minister earlier this year was a pledge to clear the air regarding PKFZ.
The project, called a white elephant by critics, was supposed to be an import-export hub modeled after the highly-successful Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai.
However, it came under fierce criticism after damning news reports emerged of its alleged mismanagement, conflict of interest involving political figures and numerous other irregularities.
More trouble erupted in July last year when the cabinet approved a RM4.6 billion ‘soft-loan' in the form of bonds to PKFZ in a bid to revitalise the ailing project.
Critics have called the whole matter a scandal and slammed the billion-dollar loan as a poorly-thought out government bailout.
Interviews pending
Ong said PWC still had to interview certain people before it can wrap up investigations.
"I understand that they need to interview some personalities. Some of them have left or have retired," he said.
The minister added that the firm has gone through official documents and PKFZ accounts to get to the bottom of the matter.
Meanwhile, asked to comment on MCA deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek who is being investigated under the Sedition Act over a controversial speech on ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy), Ong, who is also MCA president said, "We are monitoring it, full stop".
