RPK on PKFZ: Cabinet knew but condoned everything


Fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin (RPK) today, released digital copies of what he alleged to be 'secret' government documents pertaining to the PKFZ scandal.

Striking out yet again from his hidden fortress, the Malaysia Today editor claimed that the documents prove that the cabinet not only knew about the increase in the costs associated with the project, but also approved of everything which transpired.

"There is no corruption involved in the PKFZ fiasco - at least not as far as the government is concerned. The Cabinet knew all along what was going on and the Cabinet approved it," said RPK in an article emailed to Malaysiakini.

He alleged that what had happened is "a Malay-Chinese 'joint venture' at its best involving those from Umno and MCA."

"What happened was exactly what the Cabinet wanted it to happen. And that is why no action is being taken with regards to the RM12.5 billion disaster", explained the activist blogger.

As for those involved in the scandal, RPK said "Those behind the PKFZ scandal are not scared. They did not do anything wrong. They did not commit a crime. They just did what the Cabinet knew all along they were doing and with the full permission of the Cabinet."

'Secret cabinet papers'

The digital images of the documents that RPK claimed to be 'secret' cabinet papers relating to the PKFZ issue appeared to be a digest from a memorandum sent to the cabinet by the Finance Ministry.

It detailed a request for the cabinet to approve a retrospective increase in the cost of the PKFZ project from just over one billion ringgit to nearly five billion Ringgit.

Parts of the documents also referred to a proposal for a soft loan of the same amount as the new cost of the project to the developers.

According to the document, the government shall issue a bond in the amount of the loan to Kuala Dimensi Sdn. Bhd (KDSB).

The document revealed that the government approved all details of the purchase of the land, though the memo did mention that a 'Letter of Support' issued by the Transport Minister and the assurance of a government bond to finance the project were erroneous since both of these acts were under the purview of the Finance Ministry.

It was also stated that the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister's Department has no objections to the matter.

Last week, Prime Minister Najib Razak (left) announced the formation of a 'high-powered' task force to be headed by Malaysia's top civil servant, Chief Secretary to the government Sidek Hassan to look into the PKFZ matter.

The PM said that the task force is necessary because all the existing reports about PKFZ seem to be "incomplete". As such the cabinet appointed task force is needed to get to the bottom of the matter.

If RPK's account about the 'secret' cabinet papers above is to be believed, then the cabinet already knew all that it needs to know about the fracas.

MK
15/09/09

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Condoned with a price......