Don’t stop with Dr Ling, go after all of them
“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.
By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani, The Malaysian Insider
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.
