theSun | THURSDAY JULY 9 2009 5

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Maria J. Dass at the Selangor state assembly yesterday

Ex-PKA director
sues nine for RM11m
FORMER Port Klang Authority
(PKA) director and Pulau Lumut
Development Co-operative (KPPL)
chairman Datuk Abdul Rahman
Palil who was implicated in an
audit report on the Port Klang Free
Trade Zone (PKFZ) prepared by
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC),
has instituted legal action against
nine parties, seeking a total RM11
million in damages.
Speaking to the media on the
sidelines of the state assembly
sitting, the Sementa assembly-
man said his lawyers Kamarul
a series of conflicts of interest
involving prominent figures includ-
ing Abdul Rahman, who was on
the boards of both the KPPL and
PKA in 2002, when land for the
PKFZ was sold to the two bodies.
Other politicians mentioned
in the report are Deputy Finance
Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung,
who is a former PKA chairman,
Backbenchers Club president
Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who
was the CEO of the project’s turn-
key contractor Kuala Dimensi Sdn
Bhd (KDSB), and Federal Territory
YPIX
ORIENTALDAIL
the PKA board.
“I was the one at the board
meeting asking why PKA wanted
to acquire the land when it had
already received a development
order,” he said, adding that the
land was to be acquired for pub-
lic amenities such as roads and
schools.
Meanwhile, Mentri Besar Tan
Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said
there had not been any proof of
irregularities in the Port Klang
Free Zone (PKFZ) project, Bernama
reports.

Sekinchan rep asks for

Hisham Kamaruddin and Hasnal Umno treasurer Datuk Seri Azim He said it was his opinion that
Rezua Merican had sent notices of Zabidi, who was KDSB chairman. what happened was that the Port Khir and
demand to the nine respondents The report said although Rah- Klang Authority (PKA) was not Ng share
on Friday, asking for an apology
within seven days, failing which
the matter would be brought to
man had declared his position as
KPPL chairman, he had opposed
the compulsory acquisition of the
experienced in managing the free
zone and needed to be responsi-
ble for the investments made.
a light
moment. keys to ’Istana Khir’
court. land over a direct purchase. “We can say there were THE launch of the Selangor state Ng and asked “Why are you being
Two parties named in the PKA would have benefited from irregularities if there is proof but assembly’s 50th anniversary a busy body? Why do you want to
defamation suit are auditors PwC a compulsory acquisition as the at the very least I feel the PKA celebrations yesterday was over- check what’s in people’s houses?”,
and the PKA, from each of whom land could have been purchased is not good in business,” he said shadowed by a spat between two to which Ng shot back: “What?
Abdul Rahman is seeking RM2 at RM10 per square foot instead when replying to a supplemen- assemblymen over the “Istana Khir” What? It’s my right to check!”
million in damages. of RM25 per square foot via direct tary question from Dr Shafie Abu issue in the gallery of the assembly The tension was diffused as
He is also seeking RM1 million purchase. Bakar (PAS-Bangi) if there was hall. newsmen approached Khir and Ng
in damages from each of the Abdul Rahman said the an element of corruption in the Just as Mentri Besar Tan Sri for their comments.
seven remaining parties – Sun Me- report associating him with the project whereby cost of construc- Abdul Khalid Ibrahim was finishing Earlier Mohd Khir had told them
dia Corporation, Seputeh MP and PKFZ scandal had tarnished his tion may go up to RM12.5 billion his press conference, Sekinchan that a photo allegedly showing the
Kinrara assemblyman Teresa Kok reputation as an elected repre- from the original cost of RM2 assemblyman Ng Suee Lim walked interior of “Istana Khir” which was
for a statement she was quoted sentative, leaving him no choice billion during the state assembly up to Sungai Panjang assemblyman published in the Guang Ming Daily
to have made in Suara Keadilan, but to sue to restore his credibility. sitting. Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo to ask was fake. “It is not my house,” he
the New Straits Times Press, Suara “My reputation has been damaged Abdul Khalid said rather than him for the keys to his luxury house said, adding that he was planning to
Keadilan publisher Pelita Koridor by this fiasco, with my name being have some quarters look for which has been dubbed “Istana take legal action against the writer
Sdn Bhd and its editor NPK Sdn dragged into the report for no ap- wrongdoings in the viability of Khir”, under the full glare of the and the paper.
Bhd, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat parent reason,” he said. the project it was better for the
media. On Monday, Ng held a press
secretary-general, and New Straits Abdul Rahman said he was sur- federal government to write off
On Tuesday, Ng had accepted conference, alleging that Mohd
Times Bhd. prised at being cited in the report PKA’s current owings for the
the former mentri besar’s offer to Khir’s house had cost RM24 million
The audit report had detailed as he had declared his interest to project to reduce losses.
become a property agent for the – which included RM3.8 million for
Balinese-themed house in Section the leasehold land on which it sits.
Manoharan will wear songkok only if all are equal 7, Shah Alam which Ng claimed
cost RM24 million.
He said there was no way Mohd
Khir could have afforded the house
Mohd Khir, who was speaking on his salary as mentri besar.
KOTA ALAM SHAH assemblyman M. Manoharan, who attended “I will proudly wear it and tell all other Malaysians to wear it
a state assembly sitting for the first time since his release from the day we are all unified as equal citizens,” Manoharan said. “I to reporters at the time, remained Mohd Khir denied that the prop-
detention under the Internal Security Act on May 9, said he hope the prime minister’s 1Malaysia slogan will work and not calm and told Ng that he would erty had cost that much and said he
would refuse to wear a songkok, until such time when all remain just another slogan. So in conjunction with his 100 days need to put down a deposit and had secured a RM3.5 million loan
Malaysians were accorded equal status. (in office), he should accord all non-Malays bumiputra status.” make requisite legal arrangements from the Hongkong and Shanghai
“I actually do not mind wearing the songkok or donning Asked to comment on Manoharan’s stand, Speaker Teng for the sale – something which the Bank to buy both the land and the
baju Melayu, but I will only do so once non-Malays born in this Chang Khim said: “It is a great statement from him dem-anding latter said was unnecessary. house. He also challenged Ng to
country after Merdeka are accorded bumiputra status,” he said equal opportunity, but his act is not suitable under the circum- Just then, Sri Serdang assembly- sell the house for RM24 million if
outside the assembly hall. stances we are in now.” man Datuk Satim Diman, who was he could find a buyer.
The songkok is compulsory attire during formal occasions of “It is an individual opinion and act and he’ll be seen as the standing nearby with other Barisan
Selangor state assembly sittings. odd one out, but it is his right and I respect that.” Nasional assemblymen, walked to » See also Page 7
Giam Say Khoon at the Dewan Negara yesterday
Cluster development for In reply to a supplementary question from
Senator Tan Sri Jins Shamsudin on the problem
more bumi participation
Credit card disputes may THE government has initiated a cluster develop-
ment approach in an effort to enhance bumiputra
of high costs in producing patriotic and history
films, he said: “The government is aware of the
problems faced by film producers and of the
be referred to FMB participation and strengthen their position in the
economic sector.
importance of producing patriotic films.
He said Finas had several funds to help local
CREDIT cardholders not happy with bank as to why the authorities did not order a bank Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Depart- producers including the Fictional Film Loan
investigations into disputes over fraudulent to stop a transaction when they knew it to be ment Datuk S.K. Devamany said the approach Scheme of RM50 million; Multimedia and Film
transactions, may refer their cases to the fraudulent. would open up more opportunities for bumiputra Development Fund (RM1.53 million); and Docu-
Financial Mediation Bureau (FMB), Deputy In reply, Chor said banks could not be entrepreneurs to focus on significant and strategic mentary Film Fund (RM6.5 million). – Bernama
Finance Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung blamed for all credit card fraud as cardhold- sectors of the economy.
said. ers’ negligence contributed to the number of “Thirteen clusters in strategic areas have been
created, among them, the construction industry,
DNA of innocent person
In reply to a question from Senator Datuk cases.
agro-business, information communication tech- destroyed within 6 months
Daljit Singh Dalliwal, Chor said that in the “Therefore, Bank Negara has a set of guide-
event of a dispute over unauthorised transac- lines and a system that allows for investiga- nology, automotive industry, logistics and trans- DNA samples of a criminal suspect who has
tions, the credit card issuer would conduct tions to be carried out. If the cardholders are portation,” he said in reply to Datuk Kamarudin been proven innocent will be destroyed within six
a thorough investigation to ensure that the not happy with that, they can go to the FMB.” Ambok. months, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Abu Seman
complaint is real. He said that of the 11 million credit cards Devamany said that to ensure the effectiveness Yusop said in wrapping up debate on the DNA
“However, if the cardholder is not happy issued in Malaysia, fraudulent transactions had of the approach, the private sector would act as a Identification Bill 2008.
with the result of the bank’s investigations, been reported only in 541 cases. driving force in its implementation,and the govern- He said the DNA bank chief could order the des-
he can refer the matter to the FMB, which On a second supplementary question ment the facilitator. – Bernama truction of the samples at any time, and that these
was established by Bank Negara in 2005 as from Senator Datuk Rizuan Abd Hamid, Chor could be kept for not longer than six months.
an independent body to help resolve disputes said Bank Negara could not stop a financial No plan to corporatise Finas On an allegation by Mumtaz Mohd Nawi (Kel-
antan) that allowing changes in DNA information
between consumers and financial service institution from issuing credit cards. However, THERE is no plan to corporatise the Malaysian
providers,” he said. cards would only be issued to applicants who collected under the law could leave it open to
National Film Development Corporation (Fi- abuse, Abu Seman said the purpose of allowing
“If cardholders are unsatisfied with the met three main requirements – a minimum nas), Deputy Information Communication and
decision of the FMB, they may choose to take monthly salary, a good credit standing and alterations in the date was to ensure accuracy and
Culture Minister Senator Heng Seai Kie said. correct errors in typewritten documents.
legal action to resolve the dispute. However, payment record. However, to ensure Finas continues to be
banks issuing the credit cards would need to He said Bank Negara monitors credit “The change can only be made when the DNA
effective, the ministry would review this pos- bank chief is satisfied that there is an error when
accept the decision of the body.” card issuers to ensure that guidelines are sibility, he said. Heng said Finas had drawn up a
Daljit had in his question accused Bank Ne- followed, and that the central bank had the registering the evidence, and the changes must
long term strategic plan and key performance be noted in the record to prevent any chances of
gara of not enforcing guidelines on fraudulent power to act against financial institutions index in efforts to ensure a high quality of films
credit card transactions. that fail to do so under the Payment Systems sample tampering,” he said.
in the future.
He also posed a supplementary question Act 2004.