Malaysian Tax payers money going to politicians pocket

Even before the dust has settled on the shocking audit report concerning the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ), owners of the troubled project is now being hounded over a massive RM147 million 'corporate advisory services' bill.

The amount is being sought in a suit filed yesterday by Mega Wan Corporate Services Sdn Bhd against PKFZ's managing body Port Klang Authority (PKA).

Given the large amount sought by Mega Wan, PKA chairperson Lee Hwa Beng said he was surprised that the company did not warrant mention in the explosive audit report by Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC).

"I don't know why the amount due is so high. If the amount is really this much, why did the PwC report not mention it at all?" he asked, during a telephone interview with Malaysiakini today.

Lee said Mega Wan was the company secretary to PKA Sdn Bhd before its services was terminated last December.

He said it was surprising that their fees was much higher than other professional bodies.

"Their fees are higher than any other professional firm we engaged such as accountants and surveyors," he said.

Professional middleman

Lee added that he was in the dark over what kind of services was rendered by Mega Wan until the company's services was terminated.

However, he refused to reveal further details because he has yet to receive the court summon.

"I will appoint lawyers to handle it," he added.

According to The Sun, Mega Wan filed the suit against PKA at the Shah Alam High Court yesterday, seeking settlement for the following:


RM97.2 million as professional fees for corporate advisory and associated services on the management of PKFZ from January 2006 to August 2007. This includes consultation on the appointment of Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZI) to manage PKFZ, and the subsequent termination of the management agreement.


RM1.9 million in professional fees for corporate advisory and services to PKA between August 2007 and May 2008.


RM48.6 million for professional fees to advise and conduct financial re-engineering for PKA to facilitate the appeal for a RM4.6 billion loan from the Finance Ministry to fund the PKFZ project.

Appointed by previous administration

According to The Sun report, Mega Wan submitted three invoices and an accompanying letter dated Sept 12, 2008 requesting for payment, addressed to PKA's then general-manager Lim Thean Shiang.

Lim was appointed on June 6 last year while Lee was appointed on April 1 last year.

According to Lee, any decisions regarding Mega Wan's stint with PKA, was made before his tenure.

The Sun report concluded with a Companies Commission of Malaysia search revealing Wan Haslinda Wan Yusoff, 34, as the major shareholder of Mega-Wan, holding 68,722 shares.

Letters requesting payment from PKA were signed by Wan Haslina as the group managing director.

The report also cites the names of other shareholders including Hamidah Bibi Zakaria Marican, Ahmad Tajuddin Ismail, Suhaila Yaakob, Safina Hasnita Hasmoni and former Malaysia Airlines managing director Dr Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman, who is also Mega Wan group chairperson.

Malaysiakini
03/06/09

No comments: