Q&A: PKFZ sizzled like 'koay teow'

When the RM12 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal erupted, fingers were pointed at turnkey developer Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd.

In an interview yesterday, Kuala Dimensi's major stakeholder and Bintulu MP Tiong King Sing cried foul over the manner in which the issue has been handled.

Adding a culinary twist, the Sarawak tycoon turned politician said the trial by media was akin to char koay teow , a colloquial term for cooking up a small issue.

Last week, Tiong - who is Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) treasurer - made headlines when he revealed that he had donated RM10 million to MCA through its president and Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat.

Ong has since denied the claim, and detractors have accused Tiong of attempting to deflect attention from the PKFZ imbroglio.

Malaysiakini: You said there were three occasions where you brought the RM10 million. Do you remember exactly when?

Tiong: I can't remember exactly when because I have no intention to do anything to harm people. That is why I don't have the exact date. But I remember the venue.

Where was that?

When the time is right, I will tell you.

Was it the first or second half of the year?

I can't remember. I just want to look forward to a united MCA, where everyone works together, so we can go down to the grassroots and work towards a better future.

You said before that Ong had sought money from you...

No. He didn't request money. He was asking for support. So we discussed how to work together and I mentioned to him that it is very important that we must all be united. I told him that you all here (Peninsula Malaysia) must work hard.

If we can maintain Sabah and Sarawak, but you all can't, then we are finished. So we must all work together. We must accept that now, the Chinese are not with us (Barisan Nasional). We must go to the grassroots to understand why.

From the few by-elections, there are many simple issues which we never resolved. That is why they are angry. We talk everyday (during ceramah ), but once (the crowd) finish eating, they wipe their mouths and forget what we say.

We must change our attitude and our way of (providing) service. We must prove to the rakyat that we have really changed and not take up issues to be goreng (fried) in the papers everyday for political mileage like the opposition. That is wrong!

You want to investigate PKFZ, you are welcome to do so but don't make any 'hoo-ha'. Please read the agreement (the contracts) in detail. Read all the terms. Even if you say we over-claim, the money can be adjusted at the last or second-last payment. So what is the issue?

What did Ong tell you the money was for?

He told me that it was for party activities. To be fair to him, he didn't ask (for a specific amount). I was the one who offered.

So the total is RM10 million? Is there any other instances where you donated money to him?

Why should I donate money to him? He is not disabled or a single parent. I respect him as a leader. I take it that he knows how to utilise the money for the party. Of course I gave it to him... If his grassroots hit me... I have a right to clarify. If I'm not allowed to, what kind of a country is this?

What do you hope to get in return for your donation?

What is there to hope? Would (the MCA-owned) Utar (Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman) give me a doctorate? What is there to hope? We as humans, if we help people don't expect anything in return.

Just like when you date someone, for which I have a simple philosophy, if the man breaks up with the woman, does he ask her to return everything? Is he going to kill her? Cannot lah ! If they can't be together, so be it. Apa boleh buat ? (What can be done?)

What is the point of me trying to buy (Ong's favours). You already finished the contract. What is there to buy? Only minor things need to be resolved, but no one seems to be interested in resolving them.

Are you referring to PKFZ?

Yes. Only a little bit of issue left to be resolved, but no one is interested. People are only char koay teow . They only want to goreng and char the koay teow . No one is interested to resolve it.

Do you feel victimised?

I don't know. People are saying that I am "sucking the blood of the rakyat ." I can't say anything (in reply). Let them say what they want. If they want to report (to the authorities), let them do so and let (the authorities) investigate.

At the time when the donation was made, PKFZ was already a controversy. Weren't you worried that your donation...

I'm not worried. We look at it as separate issues. Let's not complicate matters.

Public perception might see...

Never mind public perception. When I raised the gangster issue (in Sarawak) last year, I ended up in the hospital for five days. Who symphatised with me? What benefit would I get? If you were the one, would you dare to raise up the gangsterism issue? You think I did that for publicity? In that case you raise lah next time. I follow you.

Do you think the RM10 million issue would affect the PKFZ investigations?

Why should it? I already said this issue is between me and him.

What was your relationship with Ong like?

Before this, things were normal. Now, I'm disappointed.

Were you two very close before?

What is there to be close for? I donated not because of him but because a friend wanted me to help MCA. They are 'upside down' (at the time). I did it because of Barisan Nasional and the whole nation, especially for the Chinese community.

This 'friend', is he Ong?

I didn't say it's him. I didn't say who. You don't worry. No need to find out so fast. Slowly lah .

Is your 'friend' willing to prove that you have given Ong the money?

My friend is not in the picture. He only ask me to talk to Ong and work out how we could work together.

You have mentioned before you have a 'friend' who witnessed the money being handed over.

Oh! That one is another issue altogether. Of course, don't worry. When the time comes, it will come.

People will find it strange that someone from SPDP would finance MCA activities...

I didn't just finance the MCA. When others ask for help, I financed them too.

What do you mean by others?

Do you know how many students I'm financing for further studies?

What about political parties?

Don't talk about politics. It's not just politics. You ask 'Vicky' (former MIC Youth chief S Vigneswaran). Ask him if I support him.

(Contacted later, Vigneswaran said Tiong had donated RM1 million to the MIC's Aimst university several years back. He has also donated to several temples).

There is this rumour going around which labels you as the Barisan 'ATM Machine'...

Don't say that. As I was telling you, do you know how many Chinese schools that I am helping? What ATM machine? If anyone wants to help society, if they can help, we should be happy. Then our society can grow better. When we help people, we should not look at race, then our country will be in harmony.

How else have you offered aid to MCA?

Don't need to open all (to the public). Don't force me please. I urge all the MCA members (to stop attacking me). Let me deal with your president. If I continue to open (up more), then MCA members must not blame me later if people lose confidence in you.

Other than Ong and Chew Mei Fun, who did you 'help' in MCA?

No need lah . Don't drag in others. I didn't want to 'hit' Chew Mei Fun. She 'hit' me first mah . What wrong did I do? If she wants to support her president, she could but she shouldn't attack me.

Have you talked to Ong about PKFZ?

What is there to talk? But on PKFZ, it is best to talk to (Wijaya Baru Global Holdings Bhd deputy chief executive) Faizal (Abdullah) because I’ve not been involved in PKFZ for a long time.

My deputy CEO and COO run the show. Sometimes, people misunderstand (my limited role in the matter). Sometimes, I won't even come to this office for months.

THE TIONG INTERVIEW

Part 1

RM1 rental: Tiong feels 'conned' by MCA

Part 2

I'm not BN's ATM, says deep pocket MP

Q&A: PKFZ sizzled like 'koay teow'

Part 3

Tiong on Najib, wife and girlfriend

Q&A: What do I get by toppling him?