theSun | FRIDAY NOVEMBER 21 2008
speak up!
WILL those responsible for the
millions in losses of public money
in Tourism Ministry subsidiary
Pempena Sdn Bhd be held
accountable for their actions or
inactions? Will the long arm of the
law catch up with the perpetrators
of fraud? Is the new team at the
helm serious in investigating the
shenanigans which took place in
the company?
These were questions which
warranted a simple “yes” or “no”
answer from Pempena’s executive
chairman. Unfortunately, Datin
Paduka Chew Mei Fun chose to
remain non-committal on action to
be taken against those found liable
for the company losing almost
RM50 million in bad investments
and suspect procurements.
Instead of addressing the
concerns of the public on how their
wasted money would be recouped,
the Wanita MCA chief was more
interested in responding to
remarks made by Ipoh Timur MP
Lim Kit Siang on her remuneration
package of RM10,000 a month and
a car.
While Chew denied having an
official car, Pempena records show
that there is such a provision for
her post. But one must laud her
magnanimity for insisting on using
her own wheels. But is it true that
there was a month when the petrol
claim was more than RM1,500?
Having said that, should the
public have confidence in Chew’s
team which is poring over the
records of internal and external
Chew, spit it out
audits to get to the bottom of the
Pempena scandal? Judging from
her demeanour at Wednesday’s
press conference, it is “No.”
“I don’t have to answer you now
…,” she said when asked if those
responsible would be brought to
book – even if they include those in
high office.
It is simple, if someone does
something wrong, you take
punitive action. Isn’t this what
one expects from an investigative
team? She could have at
least given an assurance that
recommendations would be made
to the minister to lodge reports
with the police or Anti-Corruption
Agency. Here too, she was wishy-
washy, although she had a lot to
say to Kit Siang!
At least Datuk Seri Azalina
Othman Said was more vocal
in voicing her disdain over the
whole episode, revealing that
companies funded by Pempena are
being asked to explain what had
happened to the investments.
How will Pempena recoup
its losses? Zilch from Chew, but
Azalina explained that this would
include selling off shares of these
companies or closing them down.
This, the minister said, includes
shutting down Pempena if all it
TELLING IT AS IT IS
Acting Editor-in-Chief: Chong Cheng Hai
Consultant Editor: Zainon Ahmad
Executive Editor: Lee Boon Siew
Deputy Editor: Patrick Choo (Production),
Editor: R. Nadeswaran (Special Reporting)
does is squander public
money.
On another note, just
as the press conference
was over, Citizen Nades Down2Earth
and I were confronted
by Terence Fernandez But the question is this:
by Shopping Malaysia
Secretariat general
manager Tony Mariadass. Visibly
angry at our questions posed to
Chew, he demanded: “Don’t you
have any questions for me? I’m
right here, why don’t you want to
ask me anything? In there you are
asking all those questions, why
don’t you ask me?”
Tony is a former colleague
from the Malay Mail where he
was sports editor before joining
the National Sports Council as its
communications man.
When Azalina, who was youth
and sports minister, was given
the tourism portfolio, Tony and a
coterie of her supporters and staff
followed her to the new ministry.
This explains why instead of the
eight staff allowed by the Public
Services Department, 20 people
are holding various positions in
pejabat menteri.
Even Tony, on the Pempena
application form applied for the
post of pegawai penyelidik with an
expected salary of RM8,000. In a
17
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ministry memo, he is
letter
letters@thesundaily.com
listed as research officer
in Azalina’s office.
However, today, he
holds the post of SSM
general manager for
RM10,750. But we don’t
hold this against him.
PosLaju goes
by the book
WE REFER to “PosLaju must
explain” (Nov 6) and thank you
As Chew said, it is the for bringing this matter to Pos
prerogative of Pempena Malaysia Bhd’s attention.
to appoint people to Under PosLaju’s delivery
other positions that procedure, any item addressed
suit their capabilities. to a PO Box is not delivered to
the PO Box for security reasons.
Was he appointed by Instead, PosLaju informs the
Pempena or the ministry? PO Box owner while the item is
Anyway, I’m sure Tony kept at our centre or post office
can handle whatever job he is for a certain period until it is
entrusted with, although I am claimed by the PO Box owner.
perplexed as to why all the extra The owner can also ask for a
staff are needed when Pempena’s second delivery.
existing personnel can do the same The item is returned to the
job. sender if it is not claimed at the
Back to Tony’s tirade, he should end of the waiting period.
remember that he is no longer in The item in the complaint
the newsroom. Decorum must was posted on Sept 23 to PO Box
be observed and I don’t think his 313 (005) in Johor Baru.
media-savvy boss will appreciate On Sept 24, PosLaju left a
her research officer … oops, I notification advice in the PO Box
mean general manager, quarrelling informing the recipient (Ahmad
with reporters, especially now that Navi Abdullah) to either collect
tourism and Shopping Malaysia the item at Johor Baru Post
need good press. Office or ask for a second
delivery. However, until Nov 3,
the recipient had not claimed
Terence hopes journalists who move the item and it was returned to
on to other ventures will not eschew the sender on Nov 4.
the principles they once advocated
in their writing. He is deputy editor, Datin Rohaiza Hashim
special reports & investigations Group Head of Corporate
and can be reached at terence@ Communications
thesundaily.com. Pos Malaysia Berhad