The Arrogance Of This Man.
Some people are by nature arrogant and they will say anything to anybody if they are convinced they are right. They display their overbearing self-importance in their mannerism, body language and their speech. One such person is Dato Seri Samy Vellu who, I am surprised, has managed to survive all these years with his obnoxious verbal tirades. I don't know if his intention is to provoke a reaction or to instill fear. As for me I get angry every time I read of his public outbursts. Here is one classic example of his arrogance. Read on...
Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Tuesday cautioned the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) not to interfere in the ministry's affairs, saying it was well equipped to handle any issue. Samy Vellu said the ministry has its own officers to study any issue before making a decision and there was no need for others to interfere.
"Please allow the ministry to do its work. There must be limits to the PAC. You are not the operator of this ministry. This ministry has a minister and its officers. My director-general has lot of responsibilities. We can't be going there for every meeting to answer their questions. I direct them (PAC), if they have a question, put it in writing and we will reply," he told reporters after holding a briefing session with his officers on the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) at his ministry here.
The minister was responding to a reporter's question whether the Public Works Department (JKR) should discuss to lower the RM100 million claim by Gerbang Perdana Sdn Bhd, the contractor in charge of building the eight-lane overhead highway in Johor Baru linking the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex. PAC Chairman Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad yesterday told reporters that the committee would suggest to the JKR to negotiate with Gerbang Perdana to reduce the RM100-million compensation following the cancellation of the scenic bridge that was to have replaced the causeway connecting Johor Baharu and Singapore. The decision was reached after the committee was briefed by the JKR at Parliament House on the scrapped half-bridge project.
Samy Vellu, in response to the statement by Shahrir, said the ministry was not "blind" to give away the RM100 million demanded by the contractor. "We are not stupid and the PAC must be aware of this. Any contractor can ask for RM100 million but we are not going to give it to them. We have to consider the request, discuss with our engineers, visit the site (construction site) and get more details before making any decision. If not ask the PAC chairman to come and sit here and run the ministry. When he approves any project, we will implement it," he added.
Samy Vellu said that though the Works Ministry was involved in implementing projects, ultimately it was the Finance Ministry which makes the final approval. "We are the implementing agent for the Finance Ministry for all projects and tenders. I don't want any other party to interfere and disturb our work," he said.
He also said that it was ridiculous for Shahrir to suggest that the ministry buy houses in the Sungai Besi area which were affected by the Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Highway project."When we take over any land for projects, we pay proper compensation but not to houses near the project. Doesn't the PAC chairman know that. One day, when we have a project passing through Kuala Lumpur, do we have to buy the whole of Kuala Lumpur to build roads? Who is going to pay? He should be more responsible," said Samy Vellu.
Samy Vellu also said that he would meet former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to explain the government's decision to cancel the scenic bridge project. "What is done by my ministry, I will seek an appointment with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and will give him an explanation. I will present him a paper for his information. I have already instructed my DG (director-general) to prepare the papers. Next week, when the papers are ready, I will seek an appointment with him," he said.
Monday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the relevant ministries would reply to the allegations made by Dr Mahathir on decisions adopted by the government on several issues, including the bridge project, sale of MV Agusta and issuing of Approved Permits (APs) to import cars.-- BERNAMA
Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Tuesday cautioned the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) not to interfere in the ministry's affairs, saying it was well equipped to handle any issue. Samy Vellu said the ministry has its own officers to study any issue before making a decision and there was no need for others to interfere.
"Please allow the ministry to do its work. There must be limits to the PAC. You are not the operator of this ministry. This ministry has a minister and its officers. My director-general has lot of responsibilities. We can't be going there for every meeting to answer their questions. I direct them (PAC), if they have a question, put it in writing and we will reply," he told reporters after holding a briefing session with his officers on the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) at his ministry here.
The minister was responding to a reporter's question whether the Public Works Department (JKR) should discuss to lower the RM100 million claim by Gerbang Perdana Sdn Bhd, the contractor in charge of building the eight-lane overhead highway in Johor Baru linking the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex. PAC Chairman Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad yesterday told reporters that the committee would suggest to the JKR to negotiate with Gerbang Perdana to reduce the RM100-million compensation following the cancellation of the scenic bridge that was to have replaced the causeway connecting Johor Baharu and Singapore. The decision was reached after the committee was briefed by the JKR at Parliament House on the scrapped half-bridge project.
Samy Vellu, in response to the statement by Shahrir, said the ministry was not "blind" to give away the RM100 million demanded by the contractor. "We are not stupid and the PAC must be aware of this. Any contractor can ask for RM100 million but we are not going to give it to them. We have to consider the request, discuss with our engineers, visit the site (construction site) and get more details before making any decision. If not ask the PAC chairman to come and sit here and run the ministry. When he approves any project, we will implement it," he added.
Samy Vellu said that though the Works Ministry was involved in implementing projects, ultimately it was the Finance Ministry which makes the final approval. "We are the implementing agent for the Finance Ministry for all projects and tenders. I don't want any other party to interfere and disturb our work," he said.
He also said that it was ridiculous for Shahrir to suggest that the ministry buy houses in the Sungai Besi area which were affected by the Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Highway project."When we take over any land for projects, we pay proper compensation but not to houses near the project. Doesn't the PAC chairman know that. One day, when we have a project passing through Kuala Lumpur, do we have to buy the whole of Kuala Lumpur to build roads? Who is going to pay? He should be more responsible," said Samy Vellu.
Samy Vellu also said that he would meet former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to explain the government's decision to cancel the scenic bridge project. "What is done by my ministry, I will seek an appointment with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and will give him an explanation. I will present him a paper for his information. I have already instructed my DG (director-general) to prepare the papers. Next week, when the papers are ready, I will seek an appointment with him," he said.
Monday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the relevant ministries would reply to the allegations made by Dr Mahathir on decisions adopted by the government on several issues, including the bridge project, sale of MV Agusta and issuing of Approved Permits (APs) to import cars.-- BERNAMA
posted by The Malaysian. at 6/13/2006 10:55:00 PM
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