Transport Minister Kong Chor Ha has deemed the probe into the PKFZ scandal as being ‘sufficient’, also saying there is no need for the issue to be re-examined.

NONE "I think enough investigations and studies have been done on that issue. So, I don't think there is need to (re-examine) the investigation," he said today.

He was also ambiguous as to whether he would follow up on the issue.

"I also have to know exactly what the PKFZ is about," he told reporters after taking over his new duties from out-going minister Ong Tee Keat following the minor cabinet reshuffle on June 1.

Ong did not attend the press conference, leaving after the amicable handover ceremony.

However, he had commented on the scandal while at a constituency event yesterday.

Ong said he believes the investigation has been completed and that a decision is pending from the attorney-general's chambers on whether to pursue prosecution.

'Just another job' 

Kong and Ong had earlier held a meeting with ministry officers.

Kong said an immediate priority set by the premier is for the ministry to meet its NKRA in strengthening urban public transportation.

"The first thing is to meet all the departments and understand their functions before I can set any short term or immediate goals.

"This is another learning experience for me. I will learn as much as I can in the shortest possible time."

Asked how he feels on the first day, he said "this is just another job".

New Deputy Transport Minister Jelaing Mersat, previously a deputy minister in the Home Ministry, also reported for duty today. 

In an immediate reaction, Social Care Foundation chairperson Robert Phang said Kong’s non-committal stance towards PKFZ does not augur well for the government’s effort to stamp out graft.

“By saying that no re-examination is required, this is sending a very strong message to the public. Normally, statements of such nature should come from the authorities, in this case - the Attorney-General,” said Phang, who is also a panel member of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) advisory board.

He adds that Kong’s admission that he still needs to know “what PKFZ is about”, further reinforce the notion that the probe on the scandal is best left to the relevant authorities. 

Trial dates set

The Klang Sessions Court last month fixed 13 days to hear the case of three people charged with making false claims in the PKFZ project between Sept 30 and Dec 3.

The three are former Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd project director Law Jenn Dong, 51, the company’s chief operating officer Stephen Abok, 51, and architect Bernard Tan Seng Swee, 48, who worked for BTA Architects.

 

Also charged is former PKA general manager Datin Paduka O.C Phang, whose trial has been fixed for Aug 25 and 26, Sept 20 to 24, Oct 26 to 29 and Nov 15, 16, 18 and 19.

The scandal came to light after the cost of developing the 400ha integrated cargo distribution hub ballooned from RM2 billion to RM4.6 billion.