Motion to discuss PKFZ rejected

By Zedeck Siew, The Nut Graph

A motion by DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang (Ipoh Timur) to debate the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal in Parliament was rejected this morning.

Lim, in a press conference after Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin rejected his motion, also questioned the absence of Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat in Parliament.

"Was Ong so sure that my motion for an urgent debate on the PKFZ scandal today would be rejected by the speaker, that he could just go off overseas?" Lim asked.

Ong is currently abroad on official duty and is scheduled to return to Malaysia on 20 June 2009.

The PKFZ, an integrated 1,000-acre zone offering facilities for international cargo distribution, was approved by cabinet in 1999. In 2001, it was estimated to cost RM1.9 billion.

However, a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) audit report highlighted procedural improprieties which led to the cost of the PKFZ project ballooning to RM7.5 billion.

This figure is expected to rise to RM12.5 billion, as the Port Klang Authority (PKA), which manages the PKFZ, will be unable to repay its Finance Ministry soft loan on schedule.

"Did Ong get specific approval from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to be on the run from Parliament this week, to avoid parliamentary accounting?"

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