Don’t Cover Up RM5.4 million False Claim Scandal in the Contruction of the RM65 million Swettenhem Pier Redevelopment Project
Press Statement by Y.B. Ng Wei Aik, the Political Secretary to Penang Chief Minister on 25th of April, 2010 in George Town, Penang:
The Penang State Government is calling upon the Attorney-General's Chambers, the Transport Ministry and the Penang Port Commission to reveal what transpired in the RM5.4million progressive payment fraud two years ago in the construction of the RM65 million Swettenhem Pier redevelopment project and not try to cover it up.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was only highlighting the inaction of the RM5.4 million false claim scandal even though it was exposed by Transport Minister, Datuk Ong Tee Keat himself on 16th August 2008. Ong said himself that the matter was already referred to the Attorney-General Chambers for action.
Penang Port Commission (PPC) Chairman, Tan Cheng Liang was reported to have said the authorities had discovered that it did not involve the Government's money. She said that the authorities could also not trace the person who falsified the claims and insinuated that the matter was only brought up now for political expediency.
The Penang State Government is concerned over how the issue could seem to be dismissed so summarily by the PPC chairman herself. It is shocking that the PPC appears not to want to get to the bottom of the matter but is making baseless allegations instead that it is a police matter when Ong had said it is referred to the Attorney-General Chambers. There has nothing more to do with the police. If Tan Cheng Liang cannot see the difference between the role of the police and Attorney-General then she should resign as she is unfit to be PPC chair. Rather than trying to shift attention, the PPC, Transport Ministry and Attorney-General's Chambers should be focusing on trying to uncover what took place, who was responsible and to take action against these parties.
The Penang State Government would also like to question why the Transport Ministry did not pursue the matter to the end when it was Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat himself who revealed the scandal. The Attorney-General's Chambers, Transport Ministry and PPC should not be evasive but come clean over the scandal to explain if any money was recovered and the apparent inaction. The authorities should take the matter seriously and be accountable and transparent to protect the public interest.
The Penang State Government is calling upon the Attorney-General's Chambers, the Transport Ministry and the Penang Port Commission to reveal what transpired in the RM5.4million progressive payment fraud two years ago in the construction of the RM65 million Swettenhem Pier redevelopment project and not try to cover it up.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was only highlighting the inaction of the RM5.4 million false claim scandal even though it was exposed by Transport Minister, Datuk Ong Tee Keat himself on 16th August 2008. Ong said himself that the matter was already referred to the Attorney-General Chambers for action.
Penang Port Commission (PPC) Chairman, Tan Cheng Liang was reported to have said the authorities had discovered that it did not involve the Government's money. She said that the authorities could also not trace the person who falsified the claims and insinuated that the matter was only brought up now for political expediency.
The Penang State Government is concerned over how the issue could seem to be dismissed so summarily by the PPC chairman herself. It is shocking that the PPC appears not to want to get to the bottom of the matter but is making baseless allegations instead that it is a police matter when Ong had said it is referred to the Attorney-General Chambers. There has nothing more to do with the police. If Tan Cheng Liang cannot see the difference between the role of the police and Attorney-General then she should resign as she is unfit to be PPC chair. Rather than trying to shift attention, the PPC, Transport Ministry and Attorney-General's Chambers should be focusing on trying to uncover what took place, who was responsible and to take action against these parties.
The Penang State Government would also like to question why the Transport Ministry did not pursue the matter to the end when it was Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat himself who revealed the scandal. The Attorney-General's Chambers, Transport Ministry and PPC should not be evasive but come clean over the scandal to explain if any money was recovered and the apparent inaction. The authorities should take the matter seriously and be accountable and transparent to protect the public interest.
posted by weiaik at
14:43
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