Shortly after I finished writing my previous post on The Power of the New Media,
my husband came back from work and told me that former transport minister and MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik has been charged in connection with the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal.
According to Free Malaysia Today, he pleaded not guilty to two charges under Sections 417 and 418 of the Penal Code for cheating. If found guilty, Ling could face a jail term. Sessions Court Judge Suzana Hussin then set bail at RM1 million and mention was fixed for Sept 3.
Ling, who requested time to post bail, was released on a personal bond. The former MCA president, who is being represented by counsel RR Sethu, would pay the amount at the Sessions Court tomorrow.
According to the report:
The Malaysian Insider reported HERE that MCA’s usually calm and collected president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek himself appeared shaken by the news and admitted that it was unexpected and that MCA leaders are shocked by that development.
Free Malaysia Today reported HERE that Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Azmi Khalid said they never identified him (as a perpetrator) and just called him for clarification.
In sharp contrast, The Malaysian Insider reported HERE that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders remained unconvinced by the government’s move to charge Tun Dr Ling Ling Siok today citing a case involving former minister Tan Sri Kasitah Gaddam who was charged for corruption but subsequently acquitted.
According to the report:
Initially estimated at less than RM2 billion, the PKFZ project which was mooted during Dr Ling’s tenure as Transport Minister and the cost of the project more than doubled to RM4.6 billion by 2007.
If the trans-shipment hub fails to perform, some expect the cost of the project to swell further to as much as RM12.5 billion due to interest costs from deferred payments.
Personally, I am shocked that MCA leaders can be shocked over this development. Isn't the timing quite suspicious?
Just yesterday, TheSun reported that Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha today used his ministerial power to override yesterday's decision by the Port Klang Authority (PKA) to refuse to make the final payment of RM222.58 million to a special purpose vehicle (SPV) set up by Port Klang Free Zone turnkey contractor Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) to raise funds from the market. Both Tony Pua and Dr. Dzulkefly spoke against this move OVER HERE.
So why is the wheel of events suddenly turning so quickly? Are the elections round the corner? Is this another thespian act? Our PM is now on leave. Why did this happen when he is on leave?
The pieces of the puzzle just don't fit...or do they? So what's the catch?
Food for thought.
my husband came back from work and told me that former transport minister and MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik has been charged in connection with the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal.
According to Free Malaysia Today, he pleaded not guilty to two charges under Sections 417 and 418 of the Penal Code for cheating. If found guilty, Ling could face a jail term. Sessions Court Judge Suzana Hussin then set bail at RM1 million and mention was fixed for Sept 3.
Ling, who requested time to post bail, was released on a personal bond. The former MCA president, who is being represented by counsel RR Sethu, would pay the amount at the Sessions Court tomorrow.
According to the report:
Ling was charged under Section 418 for allegedly "misleading the Cabinet between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002 into agreeing to purchase 999.5 acres of land on Pulau Indah for a project, that is now known as PKFZ, at a price of RM25psf on a deferred payment method for a 15-year period, at an interest rate of 7.5 percent".
The cumulative interest paid would total RM720 million at the end of the repayment period.
He was also charged under Section 417 for the same offence.According to the charge sheet, the Finance Ministry had already valued the land at RM25psf inclusive of compounded interest - and this fact was withheld by the accused from the Cabinet.
The Malaysian Insider reported HERE that MCA’s usually calm and collected president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek himself appeared shaken by the news and admitted that it was unexpected and that MCA leaders are shocked by that development.
Free Malaysia Today reported HERE that Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Azmi Khalid said they never identified him (as a perpetrator) and just called him for clarification.
In sharp contrast, The Malaysian Insider reported HERE that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders remained unconvinced by the government’s move to charge Tun Dr Ling Ling Siok today citing a case involving former minister Tan Sri Kasitah Gaddam who was charged for corruption but subsequently acquitted.
According to the report:
DAP publicity secretary Tony Pua told The Malaysian Insider that the charge against the former transport minister indicated that more senior public officials should be brought to court.
“The nature of the charge appears to involve conspiracy, cheating the government. That would mean that there are other big fishes who could be charged, hopefully in the upcoming few days,” said Pua.
“At this point we can only hope that the prosecution will carry out a thorough and competent case. I hope that they will ensure that the guilty will be brought to book,” he added.
Initially estimated at less than RM2 billion, the PKFZ project which was mooted during Dr Ling’s tenure as Transport Minister and the cost of the project more than doubled to RM4.6 billion by 2007.
If the trans-shipment hub fails to perform, some expect the cost of the project to swell further to as much as RM12.5 billion due to interest costs from deferred payments.
Personally, I am shocked that MCA leaders can be shocked over this development. Isn't the timing quite suspicious?
Just yesterday, TheSun reported that Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha today used his ministerial power to override yesterday's decision by the Port Klang Authority (PKA) to refuse to make the final payment of RM222.58 million to a special purpose vehicle (SPV) set up by Port Klang Free Zone turnkey contractor Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) to raise funds from the market. Both Tony Pua and Dr. Dzulkefly spoke against this move OVER HERE.
So why is the wheel of events suddenly turning so quickly? Are the elections round the corner? Is this another thespian act? Our PM is now on leave. Why did this happen when he is on leave?
The pieces of the puzzle just don't fit...or do they? So what's the catch?
Food for thought.
Anonymous No way this is gonna fool many ppl.
In fact, even if it were(which it is 99.9% not), it's too little, too late!
~wits0~