The Prime Minister must pay more attention to the unravelling of the PKFZ saga

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Prime Minister Dato' Seri Najib to show that he really pays attention to the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal and the effective steps to be taken to overcome it.

On 30.7.2009, Dr Tan has been following the Prime Minister's interest or lack of it in the PKFZ saga.

The ad hoc committee on administration and corporate governance set up by the Transport Ministry discovered that the Port Klang Authority (PKA) management did not consult the board on PKFZ decisions and the board did not take notice of it.

The committee, chaired by Transparency International Malaysia president Datuk Paul Low, recommended the PKA board to implement eight changes to improve its own management and the running of PKFZ.

Meanwhile, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), described the handling of the PKFZ project as incompetent, needing further investigations. Former Transport Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy appeared at the the PAC hearing yesterday, explaining his issuance of three letters for the project. He was on sick leave, and he showed the medical certificate.

Najib has yet to show his interest in the PKFZ saga. It may be that he quietly indicates his displeasure on the issue. When the Cabinet approved the soft loan of RM 4.6 billion to PKA for the PKFZ, he was the Deputy Prime Minister. The sum with interest amounts to RM7.5billion. If the incompetence continues, it may go up to RM 12.5 billion.

The Prime Minister has to portray his seriousness over the investigation on the PKFZ saga and the effectiveness of the measures taken as well as the consideration on the need to form a Royal Commission to do the job.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw