'If I'm found to be lying, I will resign', says Transport Minister
KUALA LUMPUR: A war of words ensued between Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and his predecessor Anthony Loke (PH-Seremban) during the winding-up of the 2021 Budget for the ministry at the Dewan Rakyat.
Wee, who was clarifying the Klang Valley Double-track Project phase 2 (KVDT2), said the government decided to reopen tenders as the original contractor was appointed through direct negotiation.
The decision effectively dismissed Dhaya Maju Infrastructure (Asia) Sdn Bhd (DMIA) and its partner Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) (Dhaya Maju LTAT Sdn Bhd) as the project contractor.
Wee said KTM Bhd had also raised its concerns over Dhaya Maju-LTAT's competency to carry out works on KVDT2, based on its observation on the first phase carried out by the company.
He said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki in his letter had said the procurement process for the project was not done in accordance to procedure.
Loke blew his top at this point, saying that the project was approved during the tenure of Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, when Wee was also in the Cabinet at the time (minister in the prime minister's department).
"You are lying. We only made the decision to carry on to avoid legal and financial implications on the government. You are only confusing the Dewan (Rakyat)," said Loke.
To this, Wee said: "Why are you jumping? If I'm found to be lying, I will resign."
He said he would present the necessary documents as proof if challenged in court.
"You (Loke) had 15 minutes to attack me (during debate) while I was lying on a hospital bed; it is our right to explain what actually happened.
"I will definitely take legal action to clear my name. Stop being a spokesman for the company (DMLTAT) and respect the court's decision," said Wee, to which Loke said he was a spokesman for the people.
Wee said he stood by the decision made by the Cabinet, saying any company to be awarded through open tender must cooperate with LTAT to carry out the project.
Loke had previously questioned the government's motive for cancelling the contract with Dhaya Maju-LTAT, saying that the government would have to fork out RM1 billion in settlements to the company.
It was reported Dhaya Maju–LTAT received the original Letter of Award (LoA) dated April 4, 2018 for the KVDT2 project during the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration and had commenced work.
The original KVDT2 award was however terminated on Oct 19, 2018 by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.
However, on July 5, 2009, the PH government agreed to reappoint the Dhaya Maju-LTAT to implement the KVDT2 project after taking into consideration the legal implications.
They had entered into a Settlement Agreement under which the government agreed to issue a new LoA, with Dhaya Maju-LTAT waived all its claims against the government for the wrongful termination.
The High Court had on Sept 18 dismissed an application by Dhaya Maju LTAT for an injunction against the government and Wee to bar them from terminating a contract with the company for the construction of the KVDT2, despite having completed 24 per cent of the project.
I am 300% sure KHAT Siong will not resign even if what he said is found to be untrue.
ReplyDeletelike Lim Kit Siang?
DeleteMaybe no need to resign, come Thursday....ha ha ha....
DeleteNobody has seen the scenario that Lim Kit Siang has said he would resign over.
DeleteMahathir resigned to bring down the Harapan government, but you can't lump everything together.
Just because you dearly want to make Kit Siang disappear doesn't cut it.
Due to shortened sitting time Speaker Art Harun gave only 15 minutes to each MP to speak. Why did Wee KHAT Siong choose to lie on a hospital bed when it was Anthony's 15 minutes? Is it his fault?
ReplyDeleteWee didn't grudge Loke's 15 minutes. He wanted Loke to accord him the same privilege without harassing or shouting or interfering with his response
DeleteIf Wee KHAT Siong had not been lazying himself on a hospital bed he will be sitting quietly in Parliament while Anthony is exposing his mis-deeds....? KT talking nonsense. Minister get 30 minutes or more.
DeleteWee KHAT Siong, ECRL sama sama what.
ReplyDeleteECRL was Direct nego during Liow Tiong Lai's time, everything hush hush, then when PH took over, no choice but to re-negotiate because project already 15% complete and BILLIONS already paid to Bullyland. Have to continue with the same contractor, re-align, reduce cost, share operational risk 50/50, avoid legal suits with Bully. When PN took over why Wee KHAT Siong never cancel ECRL project and ask for open tender like for KVDT2?
Wee KHAT Siong is arguing himself into a corner.
MCA is a Klingon and KHAT Siong is the Klingon Master..... wakakakaka
DeleteAyam waiting for KT's picture of the small time sundry, grocery, convenience, Chinese medicine shops throwing rocks at Wee KHAT Siong's office in Wisma MCA, Jalan Ampang. So greedy to hang on to Yiddin/Azmin/Hadi.....for power.......
ReplyDeleteI've photo of eggs throwing at DAP office
DeleteWee KHAT Siong dare not even suggest to cabinet to cancel ECRL and call for open tender because it passes through PAS states Kelantan and Terengganu and his old Boss Jibby's Pahang. For good measure he re-align to pass through Azmin's Gombak. Pity Pagoh is too far...never mind, there is always HSR....akan datang.....sure got station there one...
ReplyDeleteBut Wee KHAT Siong WAS lying.....he said so himself......on a hospital bed...ha ha ha....
ReplyDeleteI think Wee KHAT Siong made a Freudian slip.....
ReplyDeletewhat tis wee doing in a malay govt? tak sedar diri.
ReplyDeleteWaiting on queue just behind u, to be suci-ed!
Deletesimilar to china must join ccp first?
DeleteChina has 1.4B population & CCP members r estimated to be about 91.91M.
DeleteSo what's yr fart?
Better go & join yr 蔡妹妹. The time is running short!
any minister n leader in china not ccp member? is the percentage higher than non malay in our beloved malay govt?
DeleteSince u r so good at reading CCP China.
DeleteDo tell lah!
Don't ask other to do yr research that u know nothing about.
FYI, there r! But I'm holding them for yr next lies!
minister with authority, none. leader for show, many, like those minority no right association, fake democratic society, woman rights to become mistress league, freedom to tokkok union etc etc.
DeleteNames???
DeleteDon't just fart with katak lies!
I'm willing with my nukes, 犬养mfer.
Oooop… 犬养mfer, DON'T forget to use that katak-ised favour of all time - "the whole world knows"!
DeleteDon't forget to clarify that that "the whole world" referred to that fart filled well populated by a group of demoNcratized cloaking kayak!
what name? i said all, go dig yrself all the minister n tell me who is not ccp member.
DeleteU said?
DeleteCan fart worth anything, especially those katak-ised foul gaseous leaking out from that f*cked Formosa?
So easy with one-liner!
No names?
Wakakakakaka… search & triple search from outside sources!
Otherwise, u r just a know-nothing, trying to mine infos.
Now HSR may terminate in JB instead of SGP?
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha...let's see if Wee KHAT Siong will cancel this project too, and call for open tender. Never mind, pay compensation to SGP, as long as got station in Pagoh and Ayer Hitam.....but not Seremban....ha ha ha again...
QUOTE
High Speed Rail project to go on without Singapore?
FMT Reporters -November 25, 2020
PETALING JAYA: The Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) project is expected to resume without Singapore’s participation, according to sources.
The new plan was for the line to end in Johor Bahru instead of Singapore, the sources said....
Two well-placed sources have now told FMT that the changes included continuing the project without Singapore. They said Putrajaya has informed its Singapore counterpart of the change in plans. This means that the line will end in Johor Bahru instead of connecting Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.
The two sources FMT spoke to were critical of Putrajaya’s latest decision, with one saying it would bring into question the sustainability of the megaproject.
“The HSR was touted as a game changer as it would ensure seamless travel between KL and Singapore in just 90 minutes,” he said. “This is one of the busiest air routes in the world. So there is demand for the rail link.
“KL and Johor Bahru are already served by domestic flights and the North-South Expressway.”
He also referred to Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd’s Electric Train Service project, which will see the entire west coast connected by rail in 2022. This line will connect KL Sentral to JB Sentral with trains travelling up to 160km per hour.
“Once both projects are complete, you will have two rail lines connecting KL to JB. This is a redundancy.”
The other source said axing Singapore from the project could complicate relations between the two countries. He noted that Singapore had already incurred expenses and had said it would demand compensation from Malaysia.
“Singapore made its stand on this very clear when the Pakatan Harapan administration mulled its cancellation,” he said. “It will exercise its right to compensation.
“This could end up being very costly for taxpayers.”
He said it had been reported that Singapore would seek about SG$250 million (RM760 million) in compensation.
When contacted by FMT, the High Commission of Singapore said it continued to believe that the HSR project would benefit both countries and reiterated its commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the bilateral agreement.
It added that the project’s construction had been suspended twice at Malaysia’s request, with the final extension ending at the end of the year.
“Singapore and Malaysia signed the Kuala Lumpur–Singapore HSR bilateral agreement in December 2016. This is a legally binding international agreement which remains in force today.
“During the suspension period, Malaysia proposed some changes to the HSR project and we have been discussing them in good faith with Malaysia.
“We will make our best efforts to conclude discussions with Malaysia by Dec 31. However, if by Dec 31 Malaysia does not proceed with the HSR Project, under our agreement with Malaysia, Malaysia will bear the agreed costs incurred by Singapore in fulfilling the HSR bilateral agreement,” it said.
UNQUOTE
I believe Malaysia PN Backdoor Gomen will declare Force Majeure - basically Major Act of God , in this case the Covid-19 pandemic, to cancel the HSR without compensating Singapore.
Delete