By Adib Zalkapli
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 — DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang insisted today that Pempena executive chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun explain to the public the reasons for the bad investments made by the Tourism Ministry subsidiary.
The Wanita MCA chief had told a press conference yesterday that she did not need to answer any questions about what happened before she joined Pempena in May this year.
"Is nobody to be responsible for the scandalous RM54.4 million Pempena investments in 24 investee companies as at June 2008, where a PricewaterhouseCooper audit has recommended the immediate closure of five companies resulting in an instant loss of some RM20 million," said Lim in a statement.
"Since she has accepted the appointment as the new Pempena executive chairman, she must accept responsibility to give full and proper accountability for the RM50 million Pempena scandal, even if they happened before her time," he added.
He added that Chew should have invited Pempena's former chairman Datuk Chor Chee Heong to her press conference to provide an explanation to the public.
"If Chor is not prepared to answer and account for the RM50 million Pempena scandal, is he prepared to resign as Deputy Home Minister as Chew has pushed the whole buck of the RM50 million Pempena scandal to him?" asked Lim.
He reminded Chew that Pempena is operating with public funds and must be accountable to the public.
"Chew may think that she is entitled to be paid RM10,000 a month but she must realise that Pempena Sdn Bhd, as a subsidiary of the Tourism Ministry, is a government company and she is dealing not with MCA funds but with taxpayers' money," said Lim.
He was also puzzled by Chew's denial yesterday on the application by Pempena to the Tourism Ministry for an injection of RM5 million to keep the company afloat.
On the appointment of the Tourism Minister's staff by Pempena, which Chew defended yesterday as the company's right, Lim said there is no justification to it as it only increases the operating cost of Pempena.
"Malaysians are entitled to know the full number, list and cost of the 'political appointees' padded onto the Pempena payroll after the March 8 general election, but who are not doing any Pempena work as they answer directly to the Minister of Tourism," said Lim.
He also questioned why Chew's appointment in May this year was backdated to April 1. -- The Malaysian Insider
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