Thursday November 5, 2009
Chan: I signed supporting documents for rating corporation
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Transport Minister Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy had told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) inquiry that the three supporting letters he signed were for the Malaysia Rating Corporation Bhd (MRCB).
At the July 29 inquiry, Chan confirmed that the letters were supporting documents, not letters of guarantee.
He also told the inquiry that the status of the letter was based on feedback received from the then Deputy Finance Minister on Sept 4, 2007.
Chan also said that he had sought the advice of a Queen’s Counsel who informed him that the letters were supporting in nature, not guarantee letters.
The letters stated that Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) was a government project and that the Transport Ministry ensured loan payment to be done as and when it was capable to do so.
However, Chan could not tell if the letters were a request from Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) or not.
The letters were, however, forwarded to KDSB.
Chan also said tha he was not informed of a Finance Ministry advice that government bond would be issued to fund the project, clarifying that the decision to issue private bond was not of the Transport Ministry’s doing.
He also told PAC that the Malay-sian Anti-Corruption Commission did not seek his explanation.
Both Chan and retired Port Klang Authority (PKA) general manager Datin Paduka O.C. Phang also said they received no forms of benefit or incentive from KDSB.
On the issue of land acquisition, Phang told the inquiry that law firm Rashid Asaari Sdn Bhd was selected to handle the matters on PKA’s behalf.
She admitted using the firm as a representative for both parties - the purchaser and the seller - but not at the same time.
Phang also told the inquiry that quantity surveyor Perunding BE had met her and expressed interest in being part of PKFZ’s development.
Phang informed the PKA board that the Finance Ministry had approved and submitted three quantity surveyor companies to choose from.
Perunding BE was not one of them.
Subsequently PKA submitted an application and Perunding BE was included and approved by the Finance Ministry.
The decision to build PKFZ simultaneously, she said, was not PKA’s sole decision but agreed upon by the then Prime Minister and before Chan informed the PKA.
She told the PAC inquiry that there was not a single cash flow statement that was debated by the PKA management with the board of directors.
Phang also informed the inquiry that she did approve KDSB’s appointment as the developer and contractor, adding that she was not involved in the issuance of Letters of Support by former Transport Minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik.
She also denied knowledge about the existence of the letters issued by Chan.
The selection for the issuance of government bond to pay for the PKFZ’s development, she said, was never discussed when she acted as PKA general manager.
Related Stories:
No cover-up in investigation, says PM
PAC recommends MACC or police to probe two over CBT claims
Panel seeks CBT probe against Kong Choy and former GM
PAC: Government kept in the dark
Government officials among those quizzed in PKFZ controversy
News Poll
- Christmas eve party gone wild
- Horror before shift change
- Cigarette prices go up on Jan 1 (Update)
- 10 killed in crash caused by dozing driver
- RM900,000 ‘heist’ claim
- Man hides in plane toilet to fly to India
- Bus skidded before crash, survivor recalls
- Contractor found dead at hotel parking lot
- Report: RPK may be using foreign passport
- Man and three sons killed in accident
- Cigarette prices go up on Jan 1 (Update)
- Soaring focus on the RMAF
- Christmas eve party gone wild
- India governor, 86, resigns after 3-woman sex tape
- Horror before shift change
- Man hides in plane toilet to fly to India
- 10 killed in crash caused by dozing driver
- Ministry awaiting word from flu vaccine supplier
- Farmer: Too much attention killed two-headed kid
- Bus skidded before crash, survivor recalls
RSS
