PKFZ and PKA board under fire at two hearings

PUTRAJAYA: Strong criticisms were levelled at the PKFZ management system and the Port Klang Authority board by two separate bodies investigating the transhipment hub for failing to take adequate measures to prevent the “fiasco”.

The ad hoc committee on administration and corporate governance set up by the Transport Ministry found that the PKA management did not bother to consult with the board which at the same time did not question such decisions.

The committee, chaired by Transparency International Malaysia president Datuk Paul Low, also recommended the PKA board to implement eight changes to improve its own management and the running of PKFZ.

Among the changes was to restructure the PKA board composition, with third to consist of independent non-executive directors.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat reacted by asking PKA to follow the recommendations and also to appoint a member of Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) to sit on the board for six months.

The Public Accounts Committee, meanwhile, described the handling of the PKFZ project as incompetent and that there was much for the parliamentary committee to further investigate.

Former Transport Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy was quizzed by the PAC yesterday especially over three letters of support for the project.