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(The Star) KLANG: The report on the Port Klang Free Zone highlighted 20 issues concerning the project’s management and governance by the Port Klang Authority.

Among the issues which were revealed by the points were weak project management, cost overruns and conflicts of interests.

Among the issues were:

> PKA’s failure to alert the Cabinet in a timely manner of its inability to finance the project from its internal funds following an audit report by the Auditor-General in 2004 that noted that PKA did not have sufficient funds to finance the project;

> PKA’s failure to seek the advice of the Attorney-General while not complying with certain Finance Ministry regulations;

> Potential conflicts of interests arising from the involvement of parties who had prior association with either the land used to develop PKFZ or the turnkey developer, Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB);

> Awarding of the PKFZ development contract to KDSB before a project masterplan was finalised;

> PKA’s projections that it would be in a cumulative cash deficit position in 2012 and would not be able to repay the Finance Ministry soft loan instalments on time;

> PKFZ having a low occupancy rate of 14% which is not generating sufficient revenue to cover its operating expenses.

> PKFZ Sdn Bhd incurring losses since its incorporation and having negative shareholder’s funds as at Sept 30 last year.

> The possible breach of Treasury regulations when the Transport Ministry issued letters of support which could be construed as a guarantee that PKA would meet its obligations on a full and timely basis. Such letters should have been approved by the Finance Ministry.

The report was made public at a press conference by PKA chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng at his office in Port Klang yesterday.

Lee however refused to field any questions on the details of the report and repeatedly asked reporters to view Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat’s blog for further information.

He said the report would be available online at www.pka-report.com for a period of two weeks while the appendices to the report would be available for public viewing during office hours at PKA at Jalan Pelabuhan, Port Klang until June 10.

“The appendices could not be released like the report due to its voluminous nature,” he said.

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