Digest on Malaysian News

Datin Paduka O.C. Phang, former Port Klang Authority (PKA) general manager (she is also one of the alleged PKZ scandal masterminds) claimed trial at the Klang Sessions Court Thursday to three counts of Criminal Breach of Trust amounting to RM254mil over the PKFZ scandal.




She was granted bail of RM350,000 and her passport will be impounded only from Jan 12 to facilitate her travel to the United States.

Kuala Dimensi Chief Operations Officer Stephen Abok and Bernard Tan from BTA Architect were jointly charged for two counts of cheating.

Sessions Court Judge Yong Zarida Sazali granted Abok a RM200,000 bail with one surety.

Tan was charged with another 24 counts of cheating amounting to RM120mil and he claimed trial. He posted bail of RM250,000 with one surety.

The court fixed Feb 4 for mention of both their cases.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail when contacted earlier had said his chambers would issue a statement later Thursday on the matter.

It is learnt the police and the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission had conducted a joint investigation into the PKFZ scandal that resulted in them being arrested early Thursday.

They were picked up by a team of police officers from the federal Commercial Crime Department from their residences in Petaling Jaya and here after months of investigations.

PKA chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng has lodged a police report in August alleging possible fraud amounting to RM1.6bil.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, had on June 10 set up a special team headed by Lee that also comprised Skrine partner Lim Chee Wee and PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services’ managing director Chin Kwai Fatt, and senior executive director Lim San Peen.

The task force found possibility of fraud, including overcharging and unsubstantiated claims of more than RM1.6bil by the turnkey contractor Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd.

Among the irregularities discovered by the task force were fraudulent claims on electrical infrastructure worth RM55.8mil which had yet to be carried out on the site and an alleged “over-priced” hotel, for which Kuala Dimensi had claimed to have cost RM69.6mil compared to the quantity surveyor’s valuation of RM44.7mil.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services (PwC), which was commissioned by the PKA to look into the PKFZ project, estimated that based on current projections of revenue and costs, including interests, the project could eventually cost up to RM12.45bil.

Related posts:
* RM500mil defamation suit against Tiong King Sing set on Dec 14
* PKA sues Kuala Dimensi over millions in interest
* PKFZ scandal masterminds

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