Sun, Apr 7, 2008 ... Hwa Beng tipped to be PKA head

Hwa Beng tipped to be PKA head
Terence Fernandez

PETALING JAYA (April 7, 2008): Former Subang Jaya assemblyman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng is poised to be the next chairman Port Klang Authority (PKA) chairman. Lee, 54, replaces Datuk Chor Chee Heung made a comeback to the federal government as Deputy Home Minister.

It is learnt that Lee, an MCA central committee member was selected based on his seniority in the MCA - of which the post of PKA chairman is reserved for.

When contacted, Lee declined to elaborate, saying the decision has yet to be finalised.

"I’m still waiting for the appointment letter. I would prefer to wait for an official statement before I say anything,” said Lee.

An accountant by training, Lee was seen as among the future leaders of the party and was poised for bigger things, with him moving to the Kelana Jaya parliamentary seat in last month's general election. He is specualted to take on the post of deputy information minister or even deputy home minister if he had won. Unfortunately, his loss to PKR's Loh Gwo Burne put paid those plans.

The post of PKA chairman has always been viewed as a gesture of gratitude to senior MCA members who are on their way towards retirement as in former MCA secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh and former MCA vice-president Datuk Yap Pian Hon, or those who were not given government a post as in Chor who had declined a federal position following the 2004 election.

When he takes over as chairman, Lee’s task will include resurrecting investor confidence in the RM4.6 billion Port Klang Free Trade Zone (PKFZ) which has the potential of being a white elephant due to limited facilities that are not tailor-made to serve the needs of shipping and logistics companies.

It is also learnt that the PKA will also see a new general manager this year as Datin Paduka O.C. Phang’s tenure which ends in June will not be renewed.

Phang, who has served as general manager for four terms, has been largely blamed for PKFZ’s shortcomings as well as PKA’s dwindling cash reserves from RM500 million – which prompted the authority to seek a RM4.6 billion bailout from the federal government to finance the PKFZ.