BN ‘bailing out’ crooks behind PKFZ scandal, claims Pakatan
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, The Malaysian Insider
“The transport minister is using his power in an irresponsible, if not reckless, way to pay off the bondholders. He is jumping the gun, it is an easy way out. Though the investigations into the PKFZ scandal have not been completely disclosed, Kong is using his ministerial powers to overturn the PKA board’s decision,” said Dzulkefly.
The Barisan Nasional (BN) government had announced yesterday of the order for PKA to honour its final bond obligation despite the board’s ongoing suit against turnkey contractor Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB).
DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua (picture) claimed that “there was no reason” to pay the bondholders, stating that the onus for repayment was on the part of KDSB, not PKA.
“There is no reason to pay the bondholders. Why should you pay the bondholders? The bondholders should just take the money from KDSB; any form of payments should be made by them (KDSB),” said Pua.
Pua told The Malaysian Insider last night that the excuse given by the Transport Ministry in making the full payment was “unacceptable” as the government would only be “bailing out” the culprits behind the infamous PKFZ scandal.
“The government is effectively bailing out the crooks behind the PKFZ scandal.
“(By doing this) KDSB now does not have to bear the costs of not completing the work as alleged by PKA,” said Pua.
The Petaling Jaya Utara MP maintained that there were no legal obligations on PKA or even the government to make any payments, especially since PKA had filed a suit against KDSB to contest the work it has done.
“The statement and excuse given by the Transport Ministry to make the full payment due amounting to RM372 million as at July 31, 2010 is completely unacceptable given the fact that PKA is currently disputing the amount of work done by the PKFZ project contractor Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd.
“Given that there is a claim by the PKA that work on the project has yet to be completed to specifications, there is no legal obligation on PKA or the government to make any payment to any party until such disputes are resolved, especially since the PKA has already filed a suit in the High Court to contest up to RM1.4 billion worth of work,” said Pua.
He claimed that the government’s commitment to bondholders was only to the extent of the work completed.
“The government’s commitment to bondholders is only to the extent of the work done. As a result of Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy’s (former transport minister) guarantee letter, the government provides guarantee to make payment on the basis that the actual work is done,” quipped Pua.
PAS MP Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad concurred with his PR colleague’s viewpoints, and blamed newly-appointed Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha for “jumping the gun” in ordering PKA to pay FZCB.
“The transport minister is using his power in an irresponsible, if not reckless, way to pay off the bondholders. He is jumping the gun, it is an easy way out. Though the investigations into the PKFZ scandal have not been completely disclosed, Kong is using his ministerial powers to overturn the PKA board’s decision,” said Dzulkefly.
The Kuala Selangor MP told The Malaysian Insider that any form of payments should have only been made after the probe or investigation into the PKFZ “fiasco” was sorted out.
“All payments that KDSB has to pay the bondholders should have been frozen until the outcome of the probe reveals everything.
“The government’s excuse that by withholding payments, it will have an adverse effect on the local bond market does not hold water. You cannot use that as a pretext,” said Dzulkefly.
