KUALA LUMPUR - THE legal and financial wrangling linked to a scandal-ridden project took a sensational turn on Wednesday when its developer alleged that he had paid RM10 million (S$4 million) in cash to a Cabinet minister.
Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, chief executive officer of Kuala Dimensi, developer of the scandal-plagued Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ), claimed that he paid the cash to Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat.
Datuk Seri Ong, president of the country's biggest Chinese political party, Malaysian Chinese Association, issued a denial on Wednesday, calling the allegation 'smear tactics and character assassination'. The cash, Mr Tiong told Malaysiakini online news, was for activities related to MCA divisions.
But in a surprise admission, Mr Ong said he did fly on a jet owned by Kuala Dimensi several times, although he said he is waiting to be billed for it.
PKFZ, a transshipment hub near Malaysia's main Port Klang, has been under the microscope for months amid allegations of impropriety involving politicians and the developer.
Mr Ong said he was revealing details of the PKFZ scandal, which involved inflated claims, to the public despite strong pressure against doing so by even those in government. He said he has received death threats for doing so.
Yet another shock: Mr Tiong, who is from Sarawak, is a government MP and chief of the Barisan Nasional (BN) Backbenchers Club. The row is sure to add to the image of disunity within BN.
Mr Tiong's attack against Mr Ong came a day after a police report was made by the Port Klang Authority against Kuala Dimensi for allegedly overcharging by several hundred million ringgit for the project. The authority is tasked by the government to look into the PKFZ issue.
Mr Ong, in his denial of the claims, wrote in his blog that he doubted that 'any reasonable person would part with RM10 million based on a story that the money is needed by the MCA's divisions'.
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