KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 – The executive chairman of Pempena Sdn Bhd Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun described her job today at the subsidiary of Tourism Ministry as “national duty” to revamp the company.
However, the Wanita MCA chief, who joined Pempena after the last General Election, refused to say how she was going about the revamp of the company saddled by huge losses and plagued by allegations of political improprieties.
Instead, she chose to attack the DAP’s Lim Kit Siang for politicising the issue.
“I must stress that I need not take up this post in Pempena as I have various offers in the private sector. I have, however, accepted this job in Pempena as my national duty,” said Chew, reading from a prepared statement, at a press conference here.
She also expressed her disappointment with Lim for politicising her appointment in Pempena, saying that it has taken precious time from her and her team. She also denied that she was provided with a car by Pempena.
Yesterday, the Ipoh Timor MP alleged that Chew was paid a RM10,000 monthly salary and provided with a company car.
Chew however was non-committal when asked how she was going recover the losses incurred by Pempena through its various investments.
“I will not make any statement on how we are going to revamp, but it will be made based on the recommendations,” she said referring to the PricewaterhouseCooper summary report.
The audit firm recommended that out of the RM54.5 million worth of Pempena investments in 24 companies as of June 2008, it should exit its investments from five companies.
The proposed exit from the five companies will however result in losses of around RM20 million.
When asked how Pempena was going to recover the losses from payments made in the past, the defensive Chew said they are going through the issue.
“We are in the midst of revamping the company. I will not answer anything that took place before us,” said Chew.
“The most important thing is, we are taking action to rectify things that happened before us. We are very transparent, that was why we provided a copy of the report to YB Lim,” she added.
On the alleged appointment of 20 of the Tourism Minister’s personal staff by Pempena, Chew said the company had followed proper procedure.
“As far as Pempena is concerned, we have gone through the proper procedure,” claimed Chew.
She added that Pempena has every right to offer any job to any applicant.
“They can make any application, but the company has every right to post them anywhere it sees fit,” said Chew.
Meanwhile Pempena in a separate statement also expressed disappointment with Lim, claiming that the new management has been taking proactive steps to revamp the company.
“The new management of Pempena led by Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun was put in place in May 2008. During that time Pempena’s financial and management issues prior to March 2008, were brought up and as a result, proactive steps were taken to resolve those issues by first appointing PricewaterhouseCoopers to undertake a business review,” said the statement.
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form
