DEC 6 — With reference to the article published in The Malaysian Insider yesterday (December 5), I, wish to categorically state that the allegations contained in the above report are totally baseless and malicious.
As former Mentri Besar of Perlis (1985-1995) and previous Chairman (1996-2005) of Teknologi Tenaga Perlis Consortium Sdn Bhd (TTPC), at no time did the Board of Directors, including Mr Ti Chee Liang and myself, receive “7.5 million Swiss francs (RM25.5 million) to help Alstom Malaysia secure a contract to build a power plant in Perlis in late 1995”. I confirm that no monies were received by any Board members including me.
All proposals to build the power plant were presented to the then-Board of Directors in early 1999. As the then Chairman of TTPC, the Board and l agreed that an independent consulting firm was needed to review the proposals. Sinclair Knight Mertz from Australia was subsequently appointed that same year. Financier of the project also appointed an internationally recognised independent consultant, Electrowatt Ekono, to review the proposals. The decision to award the contract to ABB was a unanimous one. More importantly, all members of the Board agreed that the terms in the proposal submitted by ABB were most favourable to TTPC. ABB was awarded the contract to build the power plant on November 30, 1999. Before construction commenced, Alstom acquired ABB’s Malaysian operations and the contract was then taken over by Alstom Malaysia.
To raise the initial equity required for the project, shareholders of TTPC signed a loan document dated August 6, 2001 with Alstom. On September 26, 2001, a supplementary agreement was signed with Alsom, detailing terms of repayment. The loan was fully settled in 2003. Alstom Malaysia will confirm this.
I was totally unaware that there was an ongoing investigation into Alstom Malaysia by Swiss authorities. To date, I have not been notified or called by them to make any statements or provide any details. I am shocked that the Swiss authorities have accused Ti and me of wrongdoings, financial or otherwise. For this reason, I have instructed solicitors in Switzerland to initiate proceedings to clear my name. I welcome any investigation pertaining to these baseless allegations.
* This press released was issued Tan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh through his solicitors last night.
