Skirmishes continue outside Dewan Rakyat

(NST) KUALA LUMPUR: Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat continued his skirmishes with DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang over the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) issue outside the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Shortly after Question Time and his delivery of a ministerial statement on the issue, Ong called a press conference, at which he expressed disappointment over Lim's behaviour.

"I've answered their queries during Question Time. However, with regard to the ministerial statement, no questions or interruptions are allowed as stated in the Standing Orders," Ong said.

He denied Lim's allegation that he had asked the government for additional funds of RM1.2 billion for the PKFZ project.

"There is no need to approve the RM1.2 billion since it was part of the RM4.3 billion soft loan granted by Finance Ministry to PKFZ and approved in 2007.

"It was a decision made before my tenure as transport minister. The question of my asking for extra funds does not arise."

Ong stressed that since he became the transport minister, he had not applied for a single sen for the project.

Asked whether his ministry would go after those named in the PricewaterhouseCooper's report for conflict of interests, Ong said the ministry did not have the powers to prosecute.

"We can't play investigator and prosecutor at the same time," he said.

Asked whether the government would restructure the loans and bonds given to PKA, Ong said these were among the issues being looked at by the special task force.

He said they would have two months to come back with recommendations.

Lim, the DAP MP for Ipoh Timur, also called a press conference.

He questioned how Ong could have held a 40-minute press conference on the issue while his ministerial "non-statement" lasted only eight minutes.

Lim said Ong had promised to "tell all" but judging from his ministerial statement, that did not take place.

"I hope he will make another statement. Be frank."