Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) is disturbed at reports that the newly appointed Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha has said that there is no need for a further re-look into the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) fiasco. TI-M hopes that this does not mean that the PKFZ fiasco will not continue to be probed, contrary to an earlier report that MCA President Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek said that the probe will continue although Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat is no longer the Transport Minister. For the time being, it is disquieting that investigations seem to have gone, well, quiet.
The PKFZ fiasco is one of the biggest scandals in Malaysia involving poor transparency, governance and integrity. It has severely damaged the credibility of major political parties and the Government in the eyes of Malaysians and those outside Malaysia including perhaps foreign investors. The Malaysian Government professes a commitment to fight corruption as one of the six National Key Result Areas (NKRAs). In order for the Government to rebuild its credibility in the light of scandals that have resulted in official or unofficial NFA, the Government and relevant authorities such as Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Attorney-General’s Chambers, must diligently and vigorously follow through with its many investigations, wherever and to whomever they lead. They must then take to task all the wrongdoers, not just the small fry, but more importantly, the big fish, so that Malaysians can be persuaded that no one can act with impunity and be above the law.
Issued by
Datuk Paul Low
President
Transparency International – Malaysia
