Sepatutnya sesebuah projek yang dibangunkan secara berperingkat-peringkat atau fasa demi fasa. bukan sekali gus.

PKFZ: Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik Beri Keterangan Kepada PAC

KUALA LUMPUR, 15 Julai 2010 (Bernama) -- Bekas Menteri Pengangkutan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik Rabu dipanggil Jawatankuasa Kira-Kira Wang Negara (PAC) bagi memberi penjelasan berhubung skandal Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang (PKFZ).

Pengerusi PAC Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid dalam sidang akhbarnya berkata bekas menteri itu dipanggil ekoran penglibatannya dalam cadangan awal pembangunan PKFZ.

"Beliau memberi kerjasama penuh dan menerangkan semua maklumat dari kaca matanya sebagai Menteri Pengangkutan ketika itu. Kita juga mendapatkan pandangan beliau dan turut bertanya beberapa soalan berkaitan pembangunan PKFZ ketika menjadi menteri.

"Beliau cuba menjawab semua (soalan) tapi ada bahagian yang dia kurang ingat sebab dah lebih 10 tahun. Cadangan ini (pembangunan PKFZ) sebelum tahun 1999. Dr Ling berada dalam kementerian sebagai menteri pada peringkat awal PKFZ ini dicadangkan. Beliau tidak berada (tidak menjadi menteri) ketika kawasan itu dibangunkan," katanya selepas bermesyuarat selama tiga jam di bangunan Parlimen di sini hari ini.

Azmi ketika diminta mendedahkan soalan-soalan yang ditanya kepada Dr Ling berkata ia hanya akan dibentangkan dalam persidangan Dewan Rakyat selepas semua hasil laporan mengenai PKFZ siap sepenuhnya Oktober ini.

Menyentuh mengenai surat sokongan cadangan pembangunan PKFZ yang ditandatangani Dr Ling, beliau berkata: "Mengikut keterangannya, surat itu dibuat atas cadangan oleh pentadbiran iaitu Ketua Setiausaha (KSU) dengan mendapat nasihat penasihat undang-undang dalam kementerian."

"Sebenarnya surat itu tidak bermakna jaminan. Tidak ada implikasi kewangan kepada kerajaan," katanya.

Kepada satu soalan sama ada Dr Ling akan dipanggil semula untuk memberi keterangan, Azmi berkata beliau (Dr Ling) kemungkinan tidak akan dipanggil semula melainkan sekiranya PAC mempunyai soalan khusus untuk diberikan penjelasan.

Dr Ling menyandang jawatan menteri pengangkutan dari 1986 hingga 2003 sebelum diambil alih oleh Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy dari 1 Julai 2003 hingga 18 Mac tahun lepas. Chan kemudian diganti oleh Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

Azmi berkata antara isu yang sering dibangkitkan oleh kalangan anggota PAC ketika bermesyuarat ialah mengenai proses pengambilan tanah, mengenai bon yang bukan jaminan kerajaan serta pembangunan PKFZ yang dibuat secara menyeluruh dan tidak secara berperingkat seperti lazimnya.

"Sebenarnya sesebuah projek yang dibangunkan, sepatutnya dan sewajarnya dibangunkan secara berperingkat-peringkat atau fasa demi fasa. Macam contoh pemaju. Semua pemaju membangunkan kawasan mengikut fasa. Dia (pemaju) buat satu fasa kemudian dia jual atau disewakan.

"Dalam konteks PKFZ ini, pembangunan di situ siap dibina sekaligus dan menelan belanja yang begitu banyak. Pada akhirnya kita (PAC) dapati walaupun siap, hanya 14 peratus yang boleh disewakan (dan) yang lain tidak," katanya.

Azmi berkata pembangunan PKFZ yang menelan banyak belanja tanpa pulangan hasil yang memuaskan menyebabkan LPK kini dalam usaha mencari pelanggan untuk memasuki kawasan berkenaan.

Antara syarikat yang melabur di PKFZ ialah Aker Kvaerner dari Norway, Score Asia, Azron Wallsystem, Veheng Auto Link (Asia), Nova Logistics, Biodiesel SP dan Oriental SP.

PKFZ, sebuah hab pengangkutan yang dibina di kawasan seluas 405 hektar di Pelabuhan Klang, yang turut menempatkan gudang, blok pejabat dan sebuah hotel empat bintang, mencetuskan kontroversi apabila timbulnya pendedahan bahawa kos pembangunannya melambung daripada RM2.5 bilion kepada RM4.6 bilion.

Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang (LPK) membeli tanah PKFZ seluas 1,000 ekar di Pulau Indah daripada Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) pada 2002 dengan harga RM25 sekaki persegi. KDSB kemudian dilantik sebagai pemaju bagi projek siap guna itu.

Isu itu melibatkan kepentingan awam kerana PKA memperoleh pinjaman RM4.632 bilion dengan kadar faedah rendah dari Kementerian Kewangan bagi membiayai projek berkenaan.

Esok, Ong dijangka memberi keterangan kepada PAC diikuti oleh Chan pada minggu depan.

Azmi berkata PAC kini mempunyai senarai mereka yang akan dipanggil untuk memberi penjelasan termasuk bekas KSU dan timbalan KSU Kementerian Pengangkutan serta bekas pengerusi LPK dan pegawai-pegawai yang mewakili Kementerian Kewangan.



-- BERNAMA

PEMIMPIN-PEMIMPIN BN BERSUBAHAT MENYELEWENGKAN DUIT KERAJAAN SEBANYAK RM993 JUTA!

Sehingga hari ini kerajaan belum memberikan sebarang penjelasan tentang status Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang (PKFZ) dan bertanggungjawab di atas pertambahan kos yang berjumlah RM 3.5 bilion. 

Untuk menutup kerugian projek yang gagal ini, kerajaan telah mengumumkan bahawa ia akan melanjutkan pinjaman berjumlah sehingga RM4.681 bilion bermula dari tarikh yang lebih awal. 

Kes ini merupakan salah satu daripada begitu banyak contoh yang mendedahkan percanggahan kepentingan, rasuah dan salahtadbir melibatkan ahli politik, tokoh korporat dan pegawai kerajaan. 

Meskipun Perdana Menteri dan Kabinet sudahpun mengeluarkan arahan, Ketua Setiausaha Negara masih lagi tidak memberi penjelasan yang mencukupi. Tidak ada seorang pun yang telah dipertanggungjawabkan untuk skandal ini. 

Meskipun aspek kewangan projek ini sukar diselamatkan, sebuah audit yang bebas dan telus akan memastikan pihak yang mencabuli amanah di dalam kes ini dipertanggungjawabkan dan memulihkan kredibiliti Kementerian Pengangkutan. 

Pengambilan Tanah

Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang (LPK) membeli 1000 ekar tanah Pulau Indah dari Kuala Dimensi Sdn. Berhad pada harga RM25 sekaki persegi untuk sejumlah RM1.8 billion (termasuk faedah). 

Kuala Dimensi membuat keuntungan sebanyak RM993 juta kerana ia telah membelinya dari Koperasi Kemajuan Pulau Lumut dengan harga RM95 juta (pada RM3 sekaki persegi) sahaja. 

Urusniaga yang cukup lumayan ini melibatkan pimpinan UMNO dan MCA termasuk Pengerusi Tetap UMNO sekarang, Tan Sri Dato Seri Haji Onn Ismail; Bendahari UMNO, Dato Seri Azim bin Mohamed Zabidi; Dato Chor Chee Heung daripada MCA yang merupakan Pengerusi LPK dan bekas Timbalan Menteri Dalam Negeri dan Dato Seri Tiong King Sing, Ahli Parlimen BN untuk Bintulu serta rakan-rakan mereka. 

Jelas sekali pihak utama yang rugi dari penjualan tanah ini ialah ahli Koperasi Pembangunan Pulau Lumut Bhd. 

Justeru, janji politik untuk memelihara orang miskin dan membantu orang Melayu tidak kesampaian dan sebagai gantinya kelompok kecil yang rapat dengan kerajaan terus mengumpul kekayaan. 

Amat aneh sekali Menteri Pengangkutan pada waktu itu menolak pandangan Peguam Negara bahawa tanah tersebut boleh diambil untuk tujuan awam di bawah Akta Pengambilan tanah pada harga RM10 sekaki persegi. 

Sebaliknya Kementerian Pengangkutan dan Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang memilih pembelian tanah tersebut dengan cara biasa pada harga RM25 sekaki persegi. Kini telah diketahui bahawa persetujuan ini dicapai pada tahun 2002 antara Kementerian Pengangkutan, LPK dan Kuala Dimensi. 

Pemberian Kontrak

Saya merasakan agak aneh bahawa LPK melantik pula  Kuala Dimensi Sdn. Bhd., pihak yang menjual tanah tersebut, sebagai kontraktor turnkey untuk projek Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang menerusi Perjanjian Pembangunan Tanah bertarikh 27 Februari 2003. 

Kuala Dimensi Sdn. Bhd kemudian melantik Wijaya Baru Sdn. Bhd. sebagai subkontraktor utama. Syarikat ini sama ada dimiliki atau dikuasai Dato Seri Tiong King Sing dan Dato Abdul Azim bin Mohd Zabidi sebagai Pengarah Kuala Dimensi Sdn. Bhd. 

Nyata sekali wujud ketidaktelusan di dalam prosedur pemberian kontrak oleh LPK dan Kementerian Pengangkutan. 

Kesalahan Besar Prosedur Kewangan dan Salahguna Kuasa

Di dalam rekod awam telah dinyatakan bahawa bekas Menteri Pengangkutan, Tun Ling Liong Sik, memberi jaminan kepada kerajaan bahawa projek Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang ini mampu berjaya akan mempunyai pembiayaan sendiri dan tidak memerlukan dana kerajaan. 

Kalau begitu mengapa timbul keperluan memberikan pinjaman mudah bernilai RM4.6 bilion kepada LPK? Bukankah ini satu lagi bukti kemelut yang melanda pentadbiran hari ini? 

Menteri Pengangkutan merasakan wajar untuk memberikan empat (4) Surat Sokongan untuk pengatur utama pengisuan bon. Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik mengeluarkan satu surat bertarikh 28 Mei 2003 dan tiga lagi dikeluarkan oleh Menteri kini, Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy bertarikh 23 April 2004, 8 Disember 2005 dan 23 Mei 2006. 

Surat-surat ini memberikan komitmen Kerajaan sebagai penjamin untuk apa-apa liabiliti yang dipikul oleh LPK untuk projek Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang. 

Telah terbukti bahawa surat-surat ini merupakan jaminan kerana ia mengandungi perkataan yang bermaksud "kami akan pada setiap masa di masa hadapan memastikan LPK berada di dalam kedudukan untuk memenuhi (dan memenuhinya dengan sepenuhnya pada masa yang sepatutnya) liabiliti mereka di dalam jumlah pembayaran semula selagi mana jumlah pembayaran semula masih lagi tidak dilangsaikan"

Menurut polisi kerajaan yang biasa, Kementerian Kewangan merupakan satu-satu agensi kerajaan yang boleh mengeluarkan apa-apa bentuk jaminan bagi kerajaan dan ini mestilah mendapat kelulusan Kabinet. 

Pemberian Surat Sokongan bercanggah dengan peraturan dan prosedur kerajaan. Ketika saya menjawat Menteri Kewangan, perkara sebegini tidak pernah dibenarkan berlaku. Apa yang lebih dasyat ialah Pembedaharaan tidak sedar tentang surat-surat ini sehinggalah mereka dimaklumkan oleh pengatur utama pada Disember 2006. 

Berdasarkan keterangan di atas, wujud asas yang kukuh bahawa Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik dan Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy terlibat di dalam sesuatu yang tidak betul di dalam mengeluarkan surat sokongan yang mengakibatkan kerajaan terpaksa menyelamatkan LPK dengan memberikan kelebihan yang luarbiasa kepada beberapa pihak. 

Pihak-pihak terbabit juga disokong oleh kehadiran pimpinan UMNO di dalamnya. 

Desakan Untuk Siasatan Menyeluruh dan Bebas

Saya mesti menyatakan bahawa saya terkejut dengan sikap tidak endah pentadbiran Abdullah di dalam salahtadbir projek awam dan prinsip-prinsip pentadbiran yang baik di samping kegagalan pegawai awam di dalam menguruskan projek-projek negara. 

Saya, dengan ini, mendesak siasatan audit siasatan menyeluruh dan bebas oleh firma audit professional terhadap projek Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang. 

Audit ini sewajarnya menentukan tahap liabiliti kerajaan, mendedahkan kelemahan yang sedia ada di dalam sistem kawalan kewangan dan perakaunan, dan menentukan sama ada wujud bukti kesalahan kewangan, salahlaku ataupun rasuah. 

Saya juga mencadangkan agar kerajaan mendedahkan semua rekod berkaitan perkara ini kepada orang awam bersama laporan audit selepas ia dibentangkan di Parlimen. 

Saya ingin mengulangi desakan saya sebelum ini agar sebuah Suruhanjaya DiRaja ditubuhkan dan juga mendesak BPR dan badan-badan berkaitan lain untuk bertindak dan menyiasat sepenuhnya skandal ini.-

PKFZ: 2 Bekas PM Perlu diheret masuk – Ling Liong Sik

Posted by Truckster on November 10th, 2009 No Comments Printer-Friendly    ShareThis

Kedua-dua bekas Perdana Menteri, Mahathir Mohamad dan Abdullah Ahmad Badawi diheret ke dalam skandal Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang (PKFZ), apabila mereka didakwa mengetahui apa yang berlaku dalam projek tersebut.

Pendedahan ini dilakukan oleh bekas Menteri Pengangkutan, Ling Liong Sik dan bekas Pengurus Besar Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang (LPK), OC Phang ketika menghadap prosiding yang dipanggil Jawatankuasa Kira-Kira Awam (PAC), menurut laporan PAC terhadap projek pembangunan PKFZ.

Ling menyebut nama Mahathir

Menurut laporan prosiding pada 15 Julai 2009, Ling Liong Sik memaklumkan bahawa kos tanah dan kuasa menentukan nilai tanah tidak berada dalam bidang kuasa Kementerian Pengangkutan, tetapi Pada Jabatan Penilaian dan Perkhidmatan Harta (Valuation and Property Services Department) di bawah Kementerian Kewangan.

“Saya ingat, kami melalui banyak perbincangan berhubung harga tanah ini.  Saya amat jelas dengan ini.  Saya memberitahu kepada kabinet banyak kali, kami di Kementerian Pengangkutan hanya untuk menyatakan bahawa kami mahu tanah itu,” jelasnya.

Mantan Menteri Pengangkutan ini menyambung,”berhubung dengan kos, penilaian harga, itu bukan fungsi Kementerian Pengangkutan.  Kami tidak mempunyai Jabatan Penilaian.  Kos dan penilaian adalah masalah yang perlu diselesaikan oleh Kementerian Kewangan.  Mereka mempunyai Jabatan Penilaian, kesemuanya diuruskan di sana, bukannya di Kementerian Pengangkutan.”

Malah, Ling Liong Sik (gambar kanan) terus menyebut nama bekas PM Mahathir Mohamad, selaku Menteri Kewangan dan orang yang bertanggungjawab ke atas Jabatan Penilaian dan Perkhidmatan Harta.

Ling berkata, “saya rasa Mahathir yang mempengerusikannya (Jabatan Penilaian dan Perkhidmatan Harta), pada masa yang sama juga seorang Menteri Kewangan.  Beliau sangat jelas keadaannya.  Ini kenyataan dalam kes ini.” (I think Tun Dr. Mahathir who chaired it, and he was the finance minister also. He saw it very clearly. That was the facts of the case.）

Menurut laporan PAC, seandainya tanah PKFZ dibeli dengan Akta Pengambilan Tanah 1960, maka projek ini akan menjimatkan RM645.87 juta.  Bertitik tolak daripada itu, kos PKFZ (tidak termasuk faedah) seharusnya berjumlah RM442.13 juta, dan bukannya RM1.088 bilion.  Pada masa yang sama, laporan juga menunjukkan bahawa tanah itu ditukar tangan dengan RM47.76 sekaki persegi, 67% lebih tinggi daripada anggaran Jabatan Penilaian.

OC Phang menuding jari kepada Abdullah, Chan

Selain itu, bekas Pengurus Besar Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang (LPK), OC Phang ketika menghadiri prosiding PAC pada 2 September 2009, memaklumkan bahawa bekas PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dan bekas Menteri Pengangkutan, Chan Kong Choy yang meluluskan agar PKFZ dibangunkan dengan hanya satu fasa (Single Phase).  Sementara pembelian tanah itu dijalankan di bawah arahan Ling Liong Sik.

PC Phang berkata, Abdullah dan Chan Kong Choy (gambar kanan) memberi arahan sedemikian (membangun dengan Single Phase) kepada LPK setelah dicadangkan oleh Jebel Ali Free Zone International (Jafza).

Menurut OC Phang, PKFZ dibangunkan dengan dua fasa mengikut rancangan asal.  Fasa pertama melibatkan tanah seluas 500 ekar.  Tugas asal LPK adalah untuk membangunkan tanah yang seluas 500 ekar ini, disusuli dengan fasa kedua kemudiannya.  Namun, PM dan Menteri Pengangkutan pada ketika itu (Abdullah dan Chan) memberi arahan kepada LPK pada 3 Mac 2004, membangunkan 1000 ekar tanah sekaligus mengikut cadangan Jafza.

OC Phang: Saya amat gusat

Selain itu, PC Phang berkata kesemua kementerian yang terlibat mengetahui hal ini, malah kabinet telah meluluskan untuk membeli 1000 ekar tanah secara “willing sell willing buy” dengan Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd.

“Kerajaan mengetahui segala-gala ini.  Kementerian Pengangkutan tahu, Kementerian Kewangan tahu, agensi pusat… Saya amat gusar (I ‘ m quite annoyed),  kes pembelian tanah ini ditujukan kepada saya.  Saya menganggap saya mempunyai hak untuk gusar…”

Sebagaimana yang diketahui, Kementerian Kewangan pernah mengarahkan agar tanah ini dibeli dengan Akta Pengambilan Tanah, agar harganya lebih murah.  Tetapi LPK pula membeli dengan harga RM25 sekaki persegi, harga satu kali ganda lebih tinggi daripada KDSB.

OC Phang menjelaskan, LPK menjalankan pembelian ini setelah menerima surat arahan daripada Ling Liong Sik.

*Neo Chee Hua ialah Assistant Editor MerdekaReview, edisi bahasa Cina.  Diterjemah dan disunting oleh Lim Hong Siang.

Pendakwaan Liong Sik bukti wujud penyelewengan

http://idrisahmad.wordpress.com

Pendakwaan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik yang juga bekas Presiden MCA merangkap menteri kanan di zaman pemerintahan Mahathir membuktikan bahawa dakwaan Pakatan selama ini berhubung wujudnya penyelewengan dalam skandal Zon Perdagangan Bebas Pelabuhan Klang (PKFZ) adalah benar. Liong Sik yang juga mantan Menteri Pengangkutan bertanggungjawab bagi mempengaruhi keputusan Kerajaan bagi pembelian tanah seluas 999.5 ekar bernilai RM1,088,456,000.00 di Pulau Indah. PAS yakin bahawa ramai lagi pihak yang terlibat dalam penyelewengan ini dan Liong Sik hanyalah kambing hitam bagi menunjukan lakonan ‘kejujuran’ Kerajaan BN hari ini bagi menutup kes PKFZ. PAS juga curiga dengan kenyataan Menteri Pengangkutan yang baru, Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha yang mengatakan bahawa siasatan ke atas skandal PKFZ adalah “mencukupi” dan tidak perlu bagi isu itu disemak semula. Malah kenyataan Cho Ha yang membenarkan pembayaran semula bon bernilai RM228 juta juga bercanggah dengan keadaan semasa dimana kes penyelewengan PKFZ masih dalam perbicaraan mahkamah. Malah kerajaan akan melakukan kesilapan kedua jika melunaskan bayaran bon itu kerana syarikat Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) yang merupakan kontraktor utama PKFZ, yang mengeluarkan bon tersebut telah dheret ke mahkamah oleh Pihak Berkuasa Zon Bebas (PKA) kerana membuat tuntutan berlebihan dan tidak menyiapkan kerja mereka seperti yang dijanjikan. Kegagalan KDSB yang dimiliki oleh jutawan Datuk Tiong King Sing yang juga ahli parlimen BN menambahkan lagi kekusutan skandal PKFZ kerana sekaligus ia menyambung siri penyelewengan keatas projek berkenaan. Ini menunjukan PKFZ merupakan sebuah projek khas bagi menyara pemimpin BN dan kroni mereka bermula dengan menipu untuk membeli tapak, kemudian menipu dalam proses perancangan dan penyediaan pelan serta menipu dalam proses pembinaan. Bayangkanlah kerugian besar wang rakyat dalam projek ini yang pada asalnya dilaporkan hanya berjumlah RM RM1.957 bilion tetapi akhirnya didakwa meningkat kepada RM4.947 bilion, lebih dari dua kali ganda. PAS mengesa agar kes ini terus dibuka untuk siasatan dan kerajaan tidak perlu membuat apa-apa bayaran lagi kepada mana-mana pihak yang terlibat selagi kes ini tidak diselesaikan di Mahkamah. Kes ini baru bermula dan Menteri Pengangkutan yang baru tidak berhak untuk menutup kes ini begitu sahaja melainkan jika beliau juga mempunyai kepentingan atau mahu menyelamatkan maruah BN. PAS berharap rakyat membuka mata kerana pemimpin BN akan terus melakukan penipuan sebegini. Apa sahaja projek mega yang diumumkan mereka pasti ada ketirisan wang rakyat. PAS juga berharap rakyat membuka mata kerana kes yang sama tidak mustahil akan berlaku termasuklah dalam kes pembangunan semula kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur yang diwar-warkan kerajaan akhir-akhir ini. Kerajaan sudah mengumumkan mahu membeli tanah-tanah penduduk dengan harga yang sangat murah sekitar RM 250-RM 300 sekaki persegi. Tetapi selepas itu mahu mengeluarkan bon projek bernilai tinggi yang kemudiannya projek itu akan dibangunkan oleh kroni mereka di dalam GABEM (Biro Ekonomi Umno) dan seterusnya disewa gadaikan kepada pihak ketiga dengan harga lebih 3 kali ganda dari nilai yang dibayar kepada penduduk. Sebelum satu lagi fail skandal dibuka, PAS mengingatkan rakyat supaya menukar Kerajaan dalam pilihan raya akan datang demi kebaikan mereka dan menyelamatkan wang negara. Ustaz Idris Ahmad, Ketua Penerangan PAS Pusat.

kesemua anggota kabinet yang didakwa telah ditipu itu mesti bertanggungjawab dan dipertanggungjawabkan

Menteri penipu, kabinet ditipu?

Abdul Aziz Mustafa

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Julai: Jika benar Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik menipu kerajaan Malaysia seperti tuduhan ke atasnya di Mahkamah Sesyen Putrajaya semalam, bagaimanakah mereka yang ditipu masih kekal dalam jemaah menteri hingga sekarang. Ketika mempersoalkan perkara itu, Naib Presiden PAS, Datuk Mahfuz Omar berkata, jika benar penipuan itu berlaku, mereka yang ditipu sehingga dua kali dalam tempoh tidak sampai dua bulan itu, sudah hilang kelayakan sebagai anggota jemaah menteri termasuk Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak dan timbalannya, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Ling yang juga bekas Menteri Pengangkutan menghadapi tuduhan menipu kerajaan sekitar 25 September 2002 dan 6 November 2002 dengan memperdayakan jemaah menteri untuk memberikan persetujuan pembelian tanah di Pulau Indah untuk projek Mega Distribution Hub di Pelabuhan Klang. Perdana Menteri, timbalannya dan sebahagian anggota kabinet kini adalah anggota kabinet pada masa penipuan itu didakwa berlaku. "Persoalannya ialah bagaimana sebahagian yang kena tipu masih kekal dalam jemaah menteri hingga sekarang dan menjawat jawatan yang lebih besar iaitu Perdana Menteri dan Timbalan Perdana Menteri dan ramai lagi anggota jemaah menteri pada 2002 yang turut kena tipu masih kekal dalam kabinet kerajaan Umno Barisan Nasional (BN)," kata Ahli Parlimen Pokok Sena itu. Jika tuduhan ke atas Ling benar, Mahfuz menyifatkan perkara itu sangat memalukan kerana perkara itu menunjukkan dalam kabinet kerajaan BN ada penipu dan ada yang kena tipu sehingga mengakibatkan kerugian yang sangat besar kepada negara dan rakyat. "Yang menipu sudah tentu jahat dan bijak. Yang kena tipu pula sudah tentu lemah dan bangang. “Yang tipu tak beramanah sementara yang kena tipu pun sama tak beramanah,  bersyubahat untuk menjayakan penipuan itu dan  menjadi pak angguk dalam mesyuarat jemaah menteri. "Apalah malang rakyat Malaysia diperintah oleh kerajaan Umno BN yang anggota jemaah menterinya orang yang bodoh bangang dan mudah ditipu sebanyak dua kali dalam tempoh tak sampai dua bulan," kata Mahfuz. Malaysia, katanya, tidak akan maju jika jemaah menteri dari kalangan penipu dan menteri yang mudah ditipu terus berkuasa. Sambil menyatakan BN boleh dibaca sebagai "Bohong Negara," Mahfuz menyeru rakyat supaya "menyelamatkan Malaysia daripada penipu negara". Seorang lagi Naib Presiden PAS, Salahuddin Ayub berharap semua anggota kabinet yang didakwa telah ditipu oleh Liong Sik mestilah turut sama dipertanggungjawabkan atas apa yang berlaku itu. Menurut Ahli Parlimen Kubang Kerian itu, anggota kabinet bukan anggota pasukan bola sepak amatur. Jika pasukan bola sepak amatur ditipu, katanya, ia masih boleh dimaafkan. Tetapi, kata Salahuddin, anggota kabinet memegang jawatan berprofil tinggi yang memberikan kesan amat besar kepada kepentingan dan harta negara. "Apabila mereka ditipu sehingga dua kali dalam tempoh tidak sampai dua bulan, ia merupakan conduct of unbecoming kerana mereka sebenarnya melakukan act of negligence yang didefinisikan sebagai the failure to use good governance practice. "Oleh sebab itulah kesemua anggota kabinet yang didakwa telah ditipu itu mesti bertanggungjawab dan dipertanggungjawabkan kerana kerugian yang telah ditanggung oleh negara berhubung perkara itu ternyata amat besar," katanya. Beliau juga tidak mahu menolak spekulasi yang mendakwa tuduhan terhadap Ling itu sebenarnya adalah sindiran pentadbiran Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak terhadap Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Dr Mahathir Perdana Menteri ketika penipuan itu didakwa berlaku. "Beberapa pihak telah mula mendakwa dan membuat spekulasi bahawa apa yang berlaku itu sebenarnya ialah 'dakwa Ling, sindir Mahathir'. "Susah juga untuk terus menolak spekulasi itu," katanya.

LING LIONG SIK SHOULD NOT BE THE ONLY PERSON TO BE BLAMED

Lim: Charges against Ling a first step

By Yoges Palaniappan

July 30, 2010

Lim doubted that Ling alone could have masterminded the entire PKFZ scandal. — file pic

BAYAN LEPAS, July 30 — Lim Guan Eng today said the charges filed against former transport minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik over the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal was “a step forward.” 

 

However, the Penang chief minister said he did not believe that Ling should be the only person to be blamed for the beleaguered port project’s cost, which could balloon to as much as RM12.5 billion.

“How can one person mastermind the whole thing?” he asked.

“I think there must be others who are also behind this serious scandal,” he told reporters after a launch ceremony here.

The DAP secretary-general urged authorities to cast a wider net, saying that charging Dr Ling must not be the “only step in getting to the root of the scandal”.

“We hope for more steps to be taken because one swallow doesn’t make a summer.  We want to see more people charged. I think that’s what the majority of Malaysians want to see as well,” he added.

“There must be a genuine report to get to the bottom of this matter,” he added.

Dr Ling was charged yesterday for cheating the government by misleading the Cabinet on the land acquisition for the PKFZ project in Klang.

The charges concern land valuations under the penal code with the principle charge under Section 418, with the alternative charge under Section 417.

He faces up to seven years in jail for the first charge and up to five years’ imprisonment under the alternative charge. Both carry a fine.He pleaded not guilty and was later granted a RM1 million bail by Judge Suzana Hussin with one surety.

Dr Ling is the fifth and the highest ranking person to be charged in relation to the PKFZ scandal.

Late last year, former PKA general manager Datin Paduka OC Phang and three others were charged with criminal breach of trust (CBT) and cheating by making false claims.

By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani

July 30, 2010

Dr Mahathir was finance and prime minister during the period Dr Ling was alleged to have misled the government. — file pic

 

KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 – Lim Kit Siang said today that former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad should be called by the Attorney-General (A-G) to testify in Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik’s fraud trial.

The DAP parliamentary leader also said that Cabinet ministers must be brought to court as Dr Ling was charged for misleading the government.

“The prime minister at the time was Tun Dr Mahathir. Will Dr Mahathir or any of his ministers in 2002 Cabinet testify in court of being misled by Ling to approve Port Klang Authority’s purchase of PKFZ land with 15-year repayment with compound interest instead of 10 years?

“Who were the ministers in the 2002 Cabinet? The deputy prime minister was Tun Abdullah (Ahmad Badawi). Other ministers in the 2002 Cabinet who are still ministers include Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who was defence minister; Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who was minister for domestic trade and consumer affairs; Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein who was then minister for youth and sports; Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz who was then entrepreneur development minister; Datuk Seri Rais Yatim and Tan Sri Bernard Dompok who were then ministers in the prime minister’s department,” he said in a press statement.

Other former Cabinet ministers who, according to Lim, should also be called include Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz; present Public Account Committee Chairman Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid; three MCA ministers at the time, Datuk Chua Jui Meng, Tan Sri Fong Chan Onn, and Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting; Tun Lim Keng Yaik; Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu; and Tan Sri Law Hieng Ding.

Dr Ling was charged yesterday for cheating the government by misleading the Cabinet on the land acquisition for the PKFZ project in Klang.

The charges concern land valuations under the penal code with the principle charge under Section 418, with the alternative charge under Section 417.
He faces up to seven years in jail for the first charge and up to five years’ imprisonment under the alternative charge. Both carry a fine.

Dr Ling previously testified that land valuation in the PKFZ came under the Dr Mahathir’s purview.

 

According to the penal code, section 418 concerns “Cheating with knowledge that wrongful loss may be thereby caused to a person whose interest the offender is bound to protect”, while section 417 concerns “Punishment for cheating.” 

Last year, The Malaysian Insider reported that Dr Ling had told the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) probe into the scandal-ridden PKFZ that Dr Mahathir oversaw the project’s land valuation.

In the verbatim of the PAC meeting procedures, the former MCA president pointed out that the costing and valuation of the land was determined by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) which was chaired by former prime minister and finance minister, Dr Mahathir.

“Our job in Ministry of Transport is to only state the fact that we want the land. Costings, valuations and all that, it is not the function of the Ministry of Transport. We do not have a Valuation Department.

“Costings and valuations is a question for the Treasury to deal with. They have the Valuation Department and everything is there, not in Ministry of Transport. I think [it was] Tun Dr Mahathir who chaired it, and he was the finance minister also. He saw it very clearly. That was the fact of the case,” Ling said in the verbatim.

Despite the charges brought against Dr Ling, Lim continued to question if Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail will deliver on his promise to charge the “big fishes.”
“These issues have not been adequately dealt with despite the promise by the Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail last December and the country is still waiting for the Attorney-General to fulfil his pledge to leave no stone unturned to haul in the ‘big fishes’ implicated in the RM12.5 billion PKFZ scandal,” he said.

Dr Ling led MCA from 1986 to 2003. The PKFZ project was mooted during his tenure as transport minister and the cost of the project, initially estimated at less than RM2 billion, more than doubled to RM4.6 billion by 2007.

The total bill for the project is expected to swell to as much as RM12.5 billion due to interest costs from deferred payments, if the trans-shipment hub fails to perform.

Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang (LPK) membatalkan mesyuarat lembaga pengarahnya hari ini selepas arahan kerajaan supaya membuat bayaran kepada pemegang bon Zon Bebas Pelabuhan (PKFZ).

Mesyuarat tersebut adalah untuk memutuskan sama ada hendak memenuhi tanggungjawabnya kepada pemegang bon yang membiayai kontraktor turnkey PKFZ, Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd Kuala (KDSB).

Difahamkan, lembaga pengarah LPK berpandangan bahawa mesyuarat tersebut sudah tidak perlu lagi diadakan kerana pihak menteri pengangkutan telahpun membuat keputusan.

Menurut Perkara 3 (4) Akta Lembaga Pelabuhan 1963, menteri pengangkutan mempunyai kuasa untuk mengetepikan keputusan lembaga berkenaan.

Semalam, kerajaan telah mengarahkan LPK membuat bayaran kepada syarikat tujuan khas sebagaimana yang ditetapkan dalam jadual pembayaran.

Dalam membuat keputusan tersebut, Kementerian Pengangkutan berkata, kerajaan telah mengambilkira semua faktor yang relevan termasuk komitmen kerajaan kepada pelabur bon, dan tanggungjawab LPK di bawah perjanjian yang ditandatangani.

Ong cries double standards in PKFZ bond payment

By Lee Wei Lian

July 30, 2010

Ong said the government’s insistence in paying KDSB was “foolhardy”. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 — Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat questioned today the government’s decision to pay bondholders of the turn-key contractor in the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) despite an ongoing legal dispute, when it had defaulted on the bonds of another government-backed port project.

The former transport minister was commenting on the decision of the transport ministry to direct the Port Klang Authority (PKA) to meet its payment obligations towards four special purpose vehicles (SPVs) established by PKFZ turn-key contractor, Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB), to raise funds from the bond market.

The PKA had been under pressure to pay the KDSB bondholders partly over fears that a default would negatively affect the country’s fiscal ratings.

Ong pointed out, however, that the reported default on the RM240 million bond issued by Malaysian International Tuna Port Sdn Bhd (MITP) did not create a ripple in the market.

MITP, 40 per cent owned by the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia, defaulted on payments to bondholders last November. The bonds of both PKFZ and MITP were backed by government support letters.

“The fear of negative repercussions to our sovereign rating is unfounded,” he said.

Ong also said that the government did not take into account other considerations when deciding to pay KDSB bondholders.

“The justification behind the decision to ‘pay according to what has been decided much earlier, according to the schedule that was set a long time ago’ is a sweeping one and indeed foolhardy,” said Ong, referring to what Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said on Wednesday.

Kong insisted the payment schedule must be adhered to.

 

He added that the government did not guarantee the payments as there were no letters of guarantees given but only letters of support issued by former transport minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, who had in turn asserted that these did not amount to guarantees. 

 

“In other words, the government is under no direct legal obligation to pay the bondholders,” said Ong.

He added that as the SPVs’ right to payment were subject to what was lawfully due to KDSB under the principal 

agreements. “It makes absolute sense to withhold payments to the SPVs pending determination of what is lawfully due to KDSB by the courts.”

Ong also said that “new facts” have been discovered — letters apparently revealing that KDSB had given undertakings or guarantees that it will cover any shortfall in repayments towards the bondholders.

Such letters should relieve pressure from the government to pay the bondholders till after the legal suit was settled as KDSB would make up the shortfall, explained Ong.

PKA has sued KDSB for about RM1.6 billion over alleged wrongful and excessive claims for works done. It, however, is scheduled to pay RM372 million to two KDSB SPVs by the end of this month.

On September 25 last year, PKA filed a lawsuit against KDSB seeking to either rescind previous development agreements and a declaration that KDSB is only entitled to reasonable compensation, or a declaration that all invoices and billing notices issued by KDSB to be null and void.Of the RM372 million, RM222 million is owed to Free Zone Capital Bhd (FZCB) and RM150 million to Special Port Vehicle Bhd (SPVB).

PKA had last month paid RM350 million to another two KDSB SPVs — Transhipment Megahub Bhd and Valid Ventures Bhd.

PKA was forced to take a RM4.6 billion soft loan from the Ministry of Finance after costs ballooned from the initial estimate of less than RM2 billion. The loan tenure is 20 years and the first repayment is expected in November.

THE ENTIRE CABINET IS VICARIOUSLY ACCOUNTABLE!

Former MCA president is charged in court — Sakmongkol AK47

July 30, 2010

 JULY 30 — Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik was charged in court yesterday. It sent shocks through the MCA. MCA must now feel betrayed. After all Dr Ling Liong Sik was one of “us” — “us” being one of those important leaders of the BN in those halcyon days.

Indeed, Dr Ling Liong Sik was de facto prime minister of Malaysia for a few hours when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was party-less after the old Umno was deregistered and a new Umno was being formed. What if Dr Ling Liong Sik said at that time, “go and fly kite”. Saya PM sekarang. You orang keluar BN.

So, personally for Dr Ling Liong Sik, he must have felt betrayed the most.

There was one piece of news, however, that attracted my attention. It is this:

According to the charge sheet, the finance ministry had already valued the land at RM25psf — inclusive of compounded interest — and this fact was withheld from the Cabinet by the accused.

I am not sure how a Cabinet meeting is conducted. Usually in an exco meeting, for example, all papers would be prepared by the secretary to that meeting. For a Dewan Undangan Negeri, by the setiausaha MMK — secretary to the exco, usually a PTD officer. I am thinking the principle must be the same — files and papers prepared by the Cabinet secretary.

That being the case, a copy of the file note containing the valuation price of the land must be in all the files. Unless the file for the PKFZ topic for that day was prepared by Dr Ling Liong Sik alone and that the only information for decision that fateful day, came from Dr Ling Liong Sik alone. That would be highly unusual.

Unusual because at all material time, the finance minister at that time had in his possession all information about the land to be bought by PKFZ. He would make this information available to all Cabinet members at that meeting. Or in preceding meetings. He would have spotted the blatant discrepancy unless he went along with Dr Ling. Other alert meeting members would, too.

All Cabinet members present at that meeting, at that time, would now have to discover that particular document provided by whomever it was then, from his/her own personal files, and produce them in court. So all you SUSK — prepare to look for the file of that meeting for your minister.

This means everyone at that meeting on the day Dr Ling Liong Sik presented his notes would have to appear before court to testify. Now, everyone will stab Dr Ling Liong Sik.

If the only paper informing the value of the land came from Dr Ling Liong Sik, then everyone was deceived. Or everyone agreed in unison with the facts presented by Dr Ling Liong Sik. It would be interesting also to know whether the minister of finance then, who had the real information, went along with Dr Ling. Or did he object?

If the entire Cabinet agreed with Dr Ling despite having the real facts, then the entire Cabinet is vicariously liable.

Dr Ling Liong Sik is now feeling most betrayed. Or there is no honour among thieving friends. — sakmongkol.blogspot.com

* Sakmongkol  AK47 is the nom de plume of Datuk Mohd Ariff Sabri Hj Abdul Aziz. He was Pulau Manis assemblyman (2004-2008).

Don’t stop with Dr Ling, go after all of them

UPDATED @ 01:57:20 PM 30-07-2010

By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani

July 30, 2010

Leong wants more than just Dr Ling charged. - Picture by Choo Choy May

KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 — The arrest and charging of Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik  with cheating has only whetted appetites, and the clamour to go after all those linked to the disastrous Port Klang Free Zone (PKKZ) will only grow as the trial proceeds. 

PKR treasurer William Leong said today that all those who were involved in the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal must be charged by the Attorney-General (AG).

The Selayang MP said that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and A-G must not stop at Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik but must rope in other notable persons.

“In order for public confidence in the government institutions to be restored, all the other persons involved in the PKFZ scandal must be charged without delay and the prosecution must conduct the trial in a professional and diligent manner.

“I call on the Attorney General to take the necessary action to bring a proper closure to this PKFZ scandal that may cause the Malaysian taxpayers RM12.5 billion,” he said in a press statement.

Yesterday Dr Ling Liong Sik was charged with cheating here today over the scandal hit Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.

The charges concern land evaluations under the penal code with the principle charge under section 418 with the alternative charge being 417.Punishment for offences under section 417 carries a jail term of not more than 5 years and not more than 7 years under section 418.

According to the penal code, section 418 concerns “Cheating with knowledge that wrongful loss may be thereby caused to a person whose interest the offender is bound to protect” while section 417 concerns “Punishment for cheating.”

Leong said that the A-G must no longer delay and prosecute irrespective of office and position.

“All persons irrespective of the office and position who are involved must be charged and tried for their offences in abusing their office and the trust placed by the people on them or for cheating the Government. Those who have abetted, assisted or have received the benefits of these crimes must also be charged, tried and convicted.

“The police, MACC and the Attorney General must not delay further in charging all the others. Failure to do so will raise the issue that the authorities practise selected prosecution,” he said.

Leong added that the Dr Ling’s trial will determine the government’s political will to fight corruption.

“It has taken nearly 3 years for the police and the Attorney General to charge the former Transport Minister and Ex-MCA President for cheating the Government into buying the PKFZ land at a substantial over value. The Sun had revealed the scandal in August 2007 and it is only on 29 July 2010 that the former minister has been charged.

“The reasons given by the authorities for the delay have not been convincing. 

The delay has given rise to suspicions by the people as to the political will of the Government to tackle corruption especially by those holding high positions of power and influence,” he said.

Dr Ling led MCA from 1986 to 2003. The PKFZ project was mooted during his tenure as Transport Minister and the cost of the project, initially estimated at less than RM2 billion, more than doubled to RM4.6 billion by 2007.

The cost of the project is expected to swell further to as much as RM12.5 billion due to interest costs from deferred payments if the trans-shipment hub fails to perform.

According to the charge sheet, Dr Ling is alleged to have deceived the Malaysian government between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002 by deceiving the Cabinet on Level 4, Prime Minister’s Office, Bangunan Perdana Putra in the Federal Territory of Putrajaya, into agreeing on the land purchase in Pulau Indah for the mega distribution hub project in Port Klang according to the terms agreed to between Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd and the Port Klang Authority.

The terms in the agreement included:

a) the size of the land being 999.5 acres or 43,538,200 sq ft;

b) the purchase price for the land being RM25 per sq ft amounting to a total of RM1,088,456,000.00

c) the repayment period being based on a “deferred payment” of 15 years with an interest rate of 7.5 per cent per annum (total RM720,014,600), and thereby dishonestly hiding the fact that the valuation by the Valuation and Property Service Department, Ministry of Finance on the land was RM25 per sq ft for a repayment period of 10 years or RM25.82 per sq ft for a repayment period of 15 years, including coupon/interest that could be charged for the repayment period.

And as such, he has purposely induced Cabinet to give consent to the purchase, whereas Cabinet would not have given its consent if the fact had been told to the Cabinet, and the fraud was committed with the knowledge that he could cause a loss to the Malaysian government, where he has an interest in the transaction pertaining to the fraud and he is bound under the law to protect it and, as such, committed an offence punishable under Section 418 of the Penal Code.

RM645.87 CAN BE SAVED IF THE LAND ACQUIRED ACCORDING TO THE LAND ACQUISITION ACT 1960

PAC probe ‘ignored’ Ling’s role in PKFZ due to ‘time constraints’

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal and Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani

July 30, 2010

Some members of the PAC probe were allegedly reluctant to dig deeper into Dr Ling’s involvement. — Picture by Jack Ooi

KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 — The Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) probe into the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal was aware of Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik’s role in the land purchase, but was omitted from the final report because of “time constraints.”

Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua, who was part of committee, said that Dr Ling’s involvement was raised during PAC meetings but, for several reasons, there was no push for him to be investigated and the points raised against the former transport minister did not make it into the report proper.

“There was [a] discussion on Tun Ling Liong Sik. I wanted to make sure it was recorded — as per my earlier statement. All facts were raised during the PAC probe and meetings.

“Part of the reason why it was not in final report is also because there was too short a time to finalise [the] report. That’s why Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and Datuk Tiong King Sing weren’t really touched on in summary report,” Pua told The Malaysian Insider today. 

Pua claimed that the final PAC report on the PKFZ probe was rushed, allowing individuals like Dr Ling — who was charged yesterday for cheating the government over the purchase of land for the PKFZ project — to slip through the cracks.

Pua said the committee was rushing as the report was already “very late.”

“The PAC report was already very late, so it had to be wrapped up quickly. I saw that (Tan Sri ) Chan Kong Choy had already been implicated in the report, so I didn’t press on [with] the others. 

“The matter was raised in the PAC meeting. It was recorded in the verbatim report. It’s just that the point did not make the cut for the final report,” reiterated Pua.

However, the DAP national publicity chairman also alleged that one of the other reasons for the now-glaring omission was that some members within the PAC were not willing to pursue any form of investigation against Dr Ling.

“Some PAC members were not keen to pursue or press the matter further. On my part, I just wanted the matter recorded, to show that it is at least raised,” Pua explained.

He, however, declined to provide the names of the said PAC members.

“But it is good that the Attorney-General picked up the facts which were pointed out in the full report,” said Pua.

Another DAP member who was also part of the PAC committee, Dr Tan Seng Giaw, confirmed that discussions on the land purchase indeed taken place.

“The land matter concerning PKFZ was discussed by the PAC. The verbatim report was presented to Parliament,” the Kepong MP told The Malaysian Insider.

Meanwhile, PAC chairman Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid declined to comment and said he would not discuss anything except what was in the final report.

Excerpts of the verbatim report published by The Malaysian Insider on November 6 last year quoted the former Ministry of Transportation secretary-general Datuk Zaharah Shaari as saying that the Cabinet was fully aware of the land acquisition for the PKFZ project.

Zaharah had said that the ministry had to “go by Cabinet decision.”

Dr Mahathir was finance and prime minister during the period in question.

PAC reported that the government would have spent RM442.13 million and saved RM645.87 million if the land had been acquired for PKFZ in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act 1960. 

It also reported that the cost of the land was RM47.76psf, or 67 per cent higher than the RM25psf fixed by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH).

Zaharah explained that Dr Ling had agreed with the Treasury Secretary General that the land be acquired in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act 1960.

She had said that the matter was referred back to the Cabinet for a proper solution and stressed that Dr Ling was in direct contact with the former finance and prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“The Cabinet then decided to acquire the land but when the central agency did not agree and gave its views, the Cabinet, if I am not mistaken, told the ministry to delay its decision to buy the land directly from Kuala Dimensi (KDSB) until a different decision was made.

“I think after that the Cabinet agreed to its original decision to buy the land. I think based on that final decision, the ministry went ahead to allow PKA (Port Klang Authority) to purchase the land on that decision,” she had said.

First PKFZ letter of support was not government guarantee Ling tells PAC — July 15, 2009

July 30, 2010

JULY, 30  —  On July 15, 2009 The Malaysian Insider published the following story by Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani .

Former transport minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today that the first letter of support for the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) was not a government guarantee and had no financial implications on the government.

“According to his (Ling) statement, that letter was made on the proposal made by the administration and that is the KSU... it was also based on the counsel of the legal advisers in the ministry,” PAC chairman Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid told reporters in Parliament.

Azmi defended Ling by saying he (Ling) was not the transport minister when PKFZ was being developed but was only in the ministry during the initial stages of the project.

“This happened many years ago, so there are some decisions which he doesn’t remember,” Azmi added.

It was reported that the former MCA president issued the first letter of support while Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy issued the other three of the four letters, resulting in the RM12.5 billion burden to the people.

The four letters issued to turnkey developer Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) allowed it to raise RM4 billion in bonds that appeared to be guaranteed by the government.

Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders have argued that the transport minister does not have the power to issue financial guarantees committing the government as these can only be issued by the finance minister and only after Cabinet approval.

He did not specify who will be invited to testify at the hearing but commented that the committee will be calling all the ministers involved, along with former secretaries general of the ministry, former PKFZ directors and all those involved in the decision making.

“We want clarification on the decision made, especially from officers from the ministry” he said.

The PAC is conducting an investigation into how PKFZ’s initial cost of nearly RM2 billion ballooned to RM12.5 billion.

The scandal first surfaced in 2007 and disclosures so far show that the fiasco straddles the tenures as transport ministers of Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy and Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik.

Azmi explained that PAC wants clarification on the issue of land acquisition, the issuance of bonds by a company and not the government and the decision not to build PKFZ in stages.

“Who made the decision to develop in one go and not phase by phase? In the context of PKFZ, they built all at once. With lot of money spent, the end product is nothing.

“Now only 14 per cent of the project can be rented, the rest cannot. They are still looking for clients to enter the PKFZ. This affects the project’s liability,” he said.

Azmi also confirmed that Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat will appear tomorrow while Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy is scheduled to testify next week. He also said that the report will ready by the next parliamentary seating in October.

LIONG SIK TIPU KERAJAAN MALAYSIA

Liong Sik didakwa tipu kerajaan

Oleh NORLIZAH ABAS
pengarang@utusan.com.my

Bekas Menteri Pengangkutan, Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik diiringi anggota polis ketika hadir di Mahkamah Sesyen Putrajaya, semalam bagi menghadapi tuduhan menipu Kerajaan Malaysia berhubung skandal Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang (PKFZ) melibatkan pembelian tanah bernilai RM1.08 bilion, hampir lapan tahun lalu. – utusan / hanafi khamis

PUTRAJAYA 29 Julai – Dalam apa yang dianggap mengejutkan, bekas Menteri Pengangkutan, Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik hari ini dihadapkan ke Mahkamah Sesyen di sini atas tuduhan menipu kerajaan Malaysia berhubung skandal Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang (PKFZ) melibatkan pembelian tanah bernilai RM1.08 bilion, hampir lapan tahun lalu.

Bekas Presiden MCA itu mengaku tidak bersalah dan meminta dibicarakan atas satu tuduhan utama dan satu tuduhan pilihan menipu Jemaah Menteri untuk memberikan persetujuan terhadap pembelian tanah di Pulau Indah bagi projek PKFZ (dahulu dikenali sebagai Mega Distribution Hub) di Pelabuhan Klang.

Beliau yang memegang jawatan Menteri Pengangkutan selama 14 tahun juga kelihatan tenang semasa berada di kandang tertuduh sepanjang prosiding.Bagi kedua-dua tuduhan, beliau didakwa melakukan perbuatan itu di antara 25 September 2002 dan 6 November 2002 di Tingkat 4, Pejabat Perdana Menteri, Bangunan Perdana Putra di sini.

Hakim Suzana Hussin membenarkan bekas pemimpin politik itu diikat jamin RM1 juta dengan seorang penjamin dan menetapkan kesnya disebut pada 3 September ini.

Liong Sik, 66, yang tidak digari hadir ke mahkamah pukul 4 petang ditemani isteri, Toh Puan Ena Ling dan keluarga terdekat sambil diiringi beberapa pegawai polis.

Bagi tuduhan utama, Liong Sik didakwa menipu berhubung pembelian tanah berdasarkan terma-terma yang dipersetujui di antara Kuala Dimensi Sdn. Bhd. dengan Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang (LPK) yang antara lainnya adalah:

l Luas tanah adalah 999.5 ekar (43,538,200 kaki persegi)

l Kadar pembelian tanah sebanyak RM25 satu kaki persegi (skp) menjadikan jumlah pembelian bernilai RM1,088,456,000

l Tempoh pembayaran balik berdasarkan kaedah deferred payment (bayaran tertangguh) selama 15 tahun dengan kadar faedah sebanyak 7.5 peratus setahun (berjumlah RM720,014,600).

Bekas menteri Kabinet itu didakwa secara curang menyembunyikan fakta ke atas tanah tersebut iaitu kadar RM25 skp bagi tempoh bayaran balik 10 tahun atau RM25.82 skp bagi tempoh bayaran balik 15 tahun adalah termasuk kadar kupon/faedah yang boleh dikenakan untuk tempoh itu.

Fakta berkenaan merupakan penilaian dari Jabatan Penilaian dan Perkhidmatan Harta, Kementerian Kewangan.

ABDUL Gani Patail (kanan) yang mengetuai barisan pendakwa bersama Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah (kiri) meninggalkan Mahkamah Sesyen, Putrajaya, semalam selepas sebutan kes ke atas Ling Liong Sik.

Penyembunyian fakta itu mendorong Jemaah Menteri bersetuju terhadap pembelian tanah tersebut sedangkan beliau mengetahui perbuatannya boleh menyebabkan kerajaan menanggung kerugian.

Bagi tuduhan itu, beliau didakwa mengikut Seksyen 418 Kanun Keseksaan yang memperuntukkan hukuman penjara maksimum tujuh tahun atau denda atau kedua-duanya jika sabit kesalahan.

Liong Sik turut didakwa atas tuduhan pilihan menipu Jemaah Menteri dengan menyembunyikan fakta serupa pada waktu dan di tempat yang sama.

Bagi tuduhan tersebut, beliau didakwa mengikut Seksyen 417 kanun serupa yang memperuntukan hukuman penjara maksimum lima tahun atau denda atau kedua-duanya jika sabit kesalahan.

Pada prosiding pendakwaan yang dimulakan hampir sejam kemudian, Peguam Negara, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail menawarkan jaminan RM1 juta.

Beliau menyatakan, oleh kerana kesalahan itu boleh dijamin, pihak pendakwaan tidak memohon agar dokumen perjalanan tertuduh diserahkan kepada mahkamah sebagai syarat jaminan.

Abdul Gani dibantu oleh Ketua Bahagian Pendakwaan, Jabatan Peguam Negara, Datuk Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah; Ketua Unit Pelucuthakan Harta, Bahagian Pendakwaan, Dzulkifli Ahmad; dan Timbalan Pendakwa Raya, Manoj Kurup.

Sementara itu, peguam Datuk R. R. Sethu yang mewakili tertuduh tidak membantah terhadap jaminan RM1 juta.

Liong Sik meninggalkan pekarangan mahkamah pukul 5.30 petang dan hanya menggeleng-gelengkan kepala ketika diminta oleh pemberita mengulas pendakwaan terhadapnya.

Bekas pemimpin itu merupakan individu kelima didakwa setelah projek PKFZ yang dibina di kawasan seluas 400 hektar sebagai hab penghantaran kargo bersepadu itu menimbulkan kontroversi apabila kosnya melambung daripada RM2 bilion kepada RM4.6 bilion.

Berikutan itu, Jawatankuasa Kira-Kira Wang Negara yang mengadakan satu siasatan telah memperakukan agar Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) dan polis menyiasat beberapa individu termasuk seorang lagi bekas Menteri Pengangkutan, Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy.