PKFZ Fiasco: Root Problem Is The Mixing of Politics With Efficiency Of A Government Agency
Transparency International Malaysia (TI –M) welcomes public disclosure of the findings concerning the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) of the independent audit report conducted by Pricewaterhouse-Coopers (PWC) and commends the effort taken by the Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat for allowing the “cleaning up” process to go through.
The disclosure reveals blatant abuses in stewardship of public assets and shady deals as reflected by the lack of transparency, conflict of interests between the parties involved, involvement of politicians, the inflated prices of the transactions, questionable transactions and perhaps even corruption with individuals financially benefiting at the expense of the public . All of these indicate a malaise of mixing politics with the proper administration of government assets. It is therefore appropriate for the Najib’s administration to review the way transactions are conducted and procurement made in all government agencies so that similar “leakages” and abuses can be prevented.
If Malaysia wants to improve her competitiveness to be able to compete in the era of globalization and to attract both domestic and foreign direct investments the cost of doing business and complexities and uncertainties that arise from corruption must be reduced. The fiasco in the PKFZ only serves to make the use of these facilities for international business more expensive and uncompetitive especially if coupled with the lack of professionalism in managing these facilities. Malaysia can ill afford maladministration and fiascos like this when the well-being of her economy is highly dependent on international trade.
TI Malaysia therefore calls for prompt action with full force of the law against the parties involved and that the people who are responsible to exercise fiduciary duties but have not done so, to be brought to task. Deals that are done without full disclosure of conflicts of interest must be annulled and corruption must be promptly and diligently investigated by the MACC for further action.
Issued by
Datuk Paul Low
President
Transparency International Malaysia
