High-powered taskforce to save PKFZ project

Published: Wednesday September 9, 2009 MYT 8:44:00 PM
Updated: Wednesday September 9, 2009 MYT 9:43:59 PM
High-powered taskforce to save PKFZ project (Update)
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS

mazwin@thestar.com.my

PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet is concerned over issues arising from the scandal-hit Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project and has set up a high-powered taskforce to oversee two aspects -- whether the project was carried out in line with good governance and to look into its future direction.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the taskforce would be headed by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan and would include Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, officials from the Transport Ministry and also professionals.

Najib said the Cabinet, which had discussed the PKFZ issue during its weekly meeting on Wednesday, had decided to divide the issue into three aspects, adding apart from the two aspects to be looked into by the taskforce, the other aspect -- to determine whether there was abuse of power, any wrongdoings or violation of law -- would be investigated by the police.

“This would be the responsibility of the police to investigate and for the Attorney-General to decide (on the findings and next course of action) later.

“On the issue of PKFZ, the truth is very important. The Cabinet wants a full and detailed investigation to be conducted,” he told reporters after breaking fast with Cabinet Ministers and senior government officials.

Najib said on good governance, the taskforce would have to determine if the element was not practised from the early stages of the project.

“We also want the taskforce to propose what we should do with the project and what could be done in the future so that we can maximise (its) value for money and to reduce the cost on the rakyat (the people) and taxpayers.

“Once we have the report from the taskforce, the Cabinet will study and determine the next course of action,” he said.

He said the taskforce, which would have its first meeting after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration, has not been given a specific timeframe to conduct its findings, adding “they know this is a matter of urgency and the report should be tabled to the Cabinet as soon as possible.”

He said the Cabinet had also given the taskforce a guideline on its terms of reference, but declined to elaborate when asked if the terms would be publicised.

To a question, the Prime Minister said if there was abuse of power, action would be taken regardless “who the individuals are,” but stressed that the authorities would have to look deep into the case first to determine who was responsible and how serious the violations were.

Asked if the Cabinet was “minimising” Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat’s role, Najib said that was not the purpose behind the setting up of the taskforce.

“Why should I? We are in the same government. Don’t try to split (us). We all stand together. He (Ong) will not be in the taskforce but his ministry’s representatives are,” he said.

The Prime Minister also denied the move to set up a taskforce meant that the Government was taking the issue from under the Transport Ministry, adding its officials would be part of the taskforce.

“The (earlier) report done by the ministry would be considered by the taskforce but because this is bigger than the purview of the Transport Ministry, it is only appropriate that the Chief Secretary chair the taskforce.

“This is to underscore the Government’s seriousness on the matter,” he said.

Najib added that investigations conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the police would continue even though the Cabinet has set up a taskforce.

“The MACC and the police are investigating the reports that they have received. Their investigations will continue,” he said.

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