MACC probe on Tiong’s allegation against Tee Keat draws a blank
By Lourdes Charles, The Star
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has not found any evidence to indicate that MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat received RM10mil from Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd CEO Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing for party activities.
It is learnt that investigations by the commission have so far drawn a blank, and nothing has been uncovered to back Tiong’s allegations.
Tiong himself is being investigated by the police and the MACC for fraud, including overcharging and unsubstantiated claims in the construction of the controversial RM4.6bil Port Klang Free Zone project.
Sources familiar with the investigations said the commission interviewed more than seven witnesses, including Tiong and Ong, who has vehemently denied the allegations.
(Ong has since filed a RM500mil suit against Tiong for unfounded and defamatory remarks by Tiong following the Port Klang Free Zone disclosure. The High Court has set Nov 4 to hear the suit.)
Sources said MACC officers, besides questioning all those allegedly involved, also checked their bank accounts.
It is learnt the MACC was expected to submit its findings to its legal and prosecution department, and to the Attorney-General’s chambers for advice.
Tiong, the Bintulu MP and treasurer-general of the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), made the allegations after a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services (PwC), which was commissioned by Port Klang Authority (PKA) to look at the PKFZ project, was released.
The report by the Special Task Force formed by the Transport Ministry on June 10 alleged that Kuala Dimensi, the main developer appointed as the sole turnkey contractor for the project, was involved in possible fraud, including overcharging and unsubstantiated claims which could run up to RM1.6bil.
PwC estimated that based on current projections of revenue and costs, including interest costs, the project could eventually cost RM12.45bil.
Ong, in his statement of claim, demanded that Tiong fully withdraw his defamatory remarks and publish an apology in major Malaysian newspapers of all languages.
The purpose of such remarks, he said, were to tarnish his name.
He said they were published with the element of mala fide by Tiong to obstruct fair and just investigations into the misuse of funds in the PKFZ issue and the role played by Tiong’s company in the controversy.
