“I wish to inform the rakyat about the true situation — whether it was actually squandered, not squandered, and where it has gone to, as well as the breakdown of the budget…What’s important is that we are responsible for informing the public.”
Then newly-appointed Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat pledged to reveal to the public details about the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal after taking over the ministry frrom Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy. (Source: Ong to tell all on Port Klang Free Zone, The Star, 8 April 2008)
The PKFZ, which was conceptualised as a mega project to turn it into a hub for export and transshipment of manufactured goods, has been mired in controversy after the project costs ballooned from RM519 million to RM10 billion, according to The Edge report on 6 May 2009. There was also an issue about how an RM4.6bil government “soft loan” for the project was used up.
The minister also said a probe into the scandal will be commissioned, and the results made public.
“It will be up to the Transport Minister to decide if the report will be made public.”
Port Klang Authority (PKA) chairperson Datuk Lee Hwa Beng told the media that international accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has began their investigation into the PKFZ scandal in October 2008. Lee said a copy of the PKFZ report would be submitted to Ong. (Source: Probe into PKFZ scandal underway, The Star, 30 Oct 2008)
“I have said that the port authority will make the report public and not the Transport Ministry because it was the authority that commissioned the investigations.”
Ong passing the buck to PKA in April 2009 when asked by reporters why the PKFZ report has not been released yet. (Source:
Ong criticises business paper for not verifying facts on port project, The Star, 27 April 2009)
“I have decided to extend the services of Datuk Lee Hwa Beng as Port Klang Authority chair[person], after his term of office ended on 31 March 2009. One of his key priorities now is to ensure the release of the PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) report on the Port Klang Free Zone and I’ve given him one week from today to do so. … I have pledged to ensure transparency on this issue and I intend to keep my word.”
A year after first promising to reveal all, Ong makes another pledge to release the long delayed Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) report in a posting on his blog (Source: Report on PKFZ to be out in one week, The Nut Graph, 29 April 2009).
“PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) has made it clear to the Port Klang Authority that the (Port Klang Free Zone) report is confidential and must not be reproduced or distributed, ‘in whole or in part, to any other party in any way without the prior consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services Sdn Bhd’.”
Lee explaining why the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) report could not be released on 6 May 2009 as promised by Ong on 29 April 2009.
Curiously, Ong faced no obstacle when releasing the first part of the PKFZ report in December 2008.
The PKFZ report was supposed to be presented in two parts, the first detailing the chronology of events while the second the financial details of the scandal.
On 15 May 2009, Lee said PwC had agreed in principle to make the report public if PKA would grant the firm indemnity. (Source: ‘Technical issue’ delays PKFZ report, The Star, 7 May 2009). 
soulsberry says
The ball is still rolling here and there! Come on… we need the answer and report!
K S Ong says
The escalating astronomical costs to the government pile up while the leaders dither and procrastinate. Where did the money come from?
Can we ever believe when government leaders say there is insufficient funds for this or the other?
Do we expect anyone to be held responsible in this super fiasco? Obviously, some people are above the law and we cannot do anything about it.
Pirate says
This is a bunch of pirates caught with their pants down. Now they are running for cover. There should not be any letdown of public pressure to have the report released. Those with dirty hands shall be hanged until death from the yard. This is the pirate code..
dominik says
I don’t think the 2nd part of the report will be revealed to the public if the cabinet has its ways.
Cover-up! Cover-up! Cover-up! Big shots involved?
Anne says
The s*** has hit the fan and the mess is too big to clean.
Hafidz Baharom says
Damn the PKFZ report. Where’s the report on that space tourist’s findings due last August?!
kuntakintae says
The govt pays PwC to do a job; we put the govt of the day in place; PwC is paid with OUR money; why then should WE not be privy to the report ? Does PwC have something to hide? Someone, please explain this to me!!
victor says
i don’t understand – what is PwC scared of? They are just accountants!
concerned says
Minister Ong. Sack Lee Hwa Beng for not releasing the report. You must resign for not keeping to your words.