Transport Minister vs. Chief Minister
The deputy CEO of Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) turnkey developer Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) Datuk Faisal Abdullah said Transport Minister and MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat had used the company's private jet five times. He said the company did not charge OTK charter fee but felt that the MCA chief should at least have paid for fuel and other expenses amounting to USD 40,000.
In response, OTK said he was glad Faisal had admitted the jet had been chartered by his office.
"This clearly indicates I don't accept privileges. If I have to, and I am willing to pay for plane rides, I clearly do not accept bribes or favours."
"In any case, my office has yet to receive invoices for the services rendered. If the charter company has been more efficient, I am sure my office would have already made prompt payments. I am sure businesses do not issue invoices through the press," he said.
We do not know who is lying but I am very sure how the arrogant MCA chief spend his party's money.
Try imagine, while Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General, Lim Guan Eng flying economy class to save the people's money, our another leader with title of "Datuk Seri" so arrogantly travel in chartered flight with at least USD 40,000 or RM 140,000. This is only the tip of iceberg on how our "Transport Minister" traveled, how about accommodation? Entertainment? etc...???
Chinese Malaysian, wake up! Do we really need MCA? Do we really need BN?
1 comment:
Media Statement by Tony Pua in Petaling Jaya on Friday, 14th August 2009:
Ong Tee Keat must pay for the luxury jet flights himself to preserve his integrity and the integrity of his office
Malaysians are shocked that Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, who is both the MCA President and Minister of Transport have incurred US$40,000 or RM140,000 for 5 return trips to local destinations such as Kuantan, Johor Bahru and Kuching using private luxury jets.
We are also taken aback by the Minister's excuse that these flights have not been paid for because “no invoices” have been sent to the Ministry of Transport which confirmed that these expenses were to be paid for with tax-payers monies.
At this point of time, we will give the Minister the benefit of the doubt despite his excuse sounding completely flimsy, and the question of serious conflicts of interest arising from the fact that the company which owns the planes, Wijaya Baru Aviation Sdn Bhd is seeking license to operate commercially from the Ministry. What is worse is that Wijaya Baru is related to the developer, Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd which is key player in the RM12.5 billion Port Klang Free Zone scandal.
However, the fact that the Minister incurred an average of US$8,000 or RM28,000 for each return trip is shocking and beyond comprehension, especially in the light of the fact that Malaysia was suffering its worst effects from the global economic crisis in March and April this year. Each of the above trips is what an ordinary Malaysian worker receives as income after working for a year.
While we do not expect Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat to emulate the Pakatan Rakyat leaders who take only economy class or budget airlines, a business class return ticket to Johor Bahru will cost not more than RM700, compared to even budget airlines which cost not more than RM200.
Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat must be transparent and declare what are the official government functions in Johor Bahru, Kuantan and Kuching which is so important that he must incur RM28,000 for the return flights compared to just RM700, before government discounts?
The MCA President must also inform the public if there are other private charter flights he has taken during his tenure as the Transport Minister, whether to local or overseas destinations. More importantly, were these charter flights paid for by the Ministry or “sponsored” by generous businessmen?
The rakyat would also like to know if Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has breached the Government's General Order which states that all officials including ministers can only fly Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and use government owned cars?
While we wait anxiously for Datuk Seri Ong to answer the above questions, he must immediately restore the integrity of his office, and redeem his own integrity and moral courage by not asking the rakyat to pay for his excesses. Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat must pay for the luxury flights himself, especially if they were not for critical government functions.
http://dapmalaysia.org/english/2009/aug09/bul/bul3881.htm
Post a Comment