10 theSun | THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 10 2009

INTERVIEWS VIEWS Conversation

Ong: Well, I see our two investi- about the subject matter. You
gative journalists are here!
theSun: This is the longest story
we have been pursuing … six
years.
Ong: Well, at the end of the day,
we are interested in the ending.
How this is going to culminate.
That is very important.
For whom the bell tolls
EMBATTLED MCA PRESIDENT AND TRANSPORT MINISTER DATUK SERI
might be a political appointee,
but at least be well-versed with
the subject matter.

How do we reconcile what you

theSun: That depends on all
those concerned in seeing that
justice is done.
intend to do for the restructur-
ing of PKA and the political
realties?
We need to set new rules and that
ONG TEE KEAT TAKES TIME OFF PARTY POLITICS AND THE PORT KLANG is going to be very unpopular but
after all, I have been unpopular.

theSun: There are other

abuses not related to the free
zone that are being uncovered.
Shouldn’t the task force be
looking into other abuses not
related to PKFZ?
You must understand that the
task force is focusing on only
the 20 over issues regarding the
free zone. I am not quite sure if
the other abuses are included in
its investigations.
Because you have uncovered
so many issues on the con-
duct of the general manager
(Datin Paduka O.C. Phang)
with regards to PKFZ, doesn’t
it warrant an internal inquiry
at least on the other affairs of
PKA (Port Klang Authority)?
The task force reports state
that she refused to heed the
advice of other officials. She
could have taken such an
attitude to other matters.
I get what you mean but we
need to stay focused. I under-
stand your concerns that certain
dimensions of the investigation
may be overlooked or neglected
or some of these jokers may go
scot-free. But the crux of the
matter is that we have come so
far and we want to see justice
FREE ZONE (PKFZ) PROBE TO TELL R. NADESWARAN AND TERENCE
FERNANDEZ THAT THE TWO ISSUES ARE INDEED RELATED.
done. This is the last lap and
the last lap is normally the most
challenging part.
Do you support the sugges-
tion that the previous board
of directors must be held
responsible and be prosecuted
for failing in their responsibili-
ties?
They have their jurisdiction of
responsibilities but I am not
certain of the extent in which
they were involved in. Were
they properly informed of each
and every decision? If not, what
remedial solutions did they
attempt to take? I have no know-
ledge of this, but accountability
must be there. I agree. Whether
they should be charged, I cannot
answer that as I don’t know to
what extent is their involve-
ment.
What about the past chairmen?
At the end of the day they are
guardians of PKA and should
be held accountable for allow-
ing this to go so far.
So far, how much have they (the
past chairmen) been informed?
Look at (Datuk Yap) Pian Hon
for instance. He had 1,001
reasons to protest, 1,001 grouses
to air. In all fairness, he was
brushed aside probably because
she thought that he did not have
the intellectual capacity to grasp
the issues.
That’s why we need people
who know what’s going on.
(Present chairman) Datuk Lee
Hwa Beng is an accountant
by training, so he will know
when the numbers don’t add
up. Members of the (internal
audit) directors include a
forklift driver with minimal
education. What does he
know about port operations?
They just come to collect their
allowance. Enough of all these
political appointees!
We hope this episode will have a
positive ending but what is even
more challenging is the subse-
quent part. We must get people
who at least know something
How we handle PKFZ must be
the yardstick for future probes.
So it is important to see this to
the very end.
You mean use the PKFZ investi-
gations as a template for future
probes involving misuse of pub-
lic funds? Yes! I explained in no
uncertain terms to my grassroots
behind closed doors why I must
take the risk and what gains
do I get. Nothing! In fact CSL
(sacked MCA deputy president
The crux of Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek)
the matter is said I want to play hero. What
that we have hero? As an ethnic Chinese min-
ister, as MCA president can I go
come so further to a higher rank?
far and we But I said that PKFZ should
want to see be made a turning point if we
justice done. really want to bring in a new
breed of political culture – of
This is the accountability and transparency.
last lap and We don’t just talk, we must walk
the last lap the talk and this is a classic
is normally example, a real acid test to our
the most commitment to accountability
and transparency.
challenging
part.” You have the unenviable task
of exposing two past MCA
leaders, your predecessors in
the ministry (Tun Dr Ling
Liong Sik and Tan Sri Chan
Kong Choy). It must have been