PUTRAJAYA: Transport Minister Anthony Loke has no communication issues which requires him to engage with public relations experts to boost his profile.
As such, the minister has cancelled a contract worth about RM800,000, effective immediately, which had been approved by the previous minister for a ministerial communications programme.
“We don’t need any company to give communications programme to the minister. I can communicate directly with all media without the help of any PR agency to help me in any communications programme.
“This clearly shows the past administration had spent on unnecessary things. Just imagine this is only one example. I have been briefed by the ministry’s finance administration division on the said seven-months contract (which was awarded) to Pemandu Associates Sdn Bhd, starting from January.
“My officers are unsure what ministerial communications (entails). But, one of the scope is to help the minister write his weekly column in The Star and apparently such columns cost about RM800,000.
“I have directed (my officers) to cancel the contract. This is a mere PR exercise. I don’t need it to raise my image via any PR agency,” he said, adding he had told the ministry’s secretary-general that he did not need such allocation under the minister’s budget.
Loke however said there was no record showing that payment had been made to the said company and there was also no claim made by the company.
On the appointment of the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) chairman, he said that would be done by the Finance Ministry.
He was also asked on the appointment of the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) director-general, Loke said announcement would be made once the restructuring exercise was completed.
“The appointment of director-general will be made. Let’s wait for the whole restructuring then we will announce the appointments,” he added.
In regards to the proposed Kulim International Airport (KXP), Loke said he had gone through all of the projects under the ministry, but there was no proposal on it.
On the proposed Tioman Airport, Loke said the ministry had yet to receive any proposal regarding it.
“As far as the Transport Ministry is concerned we have yet to receive any application from (Berjaya Group executive chairman Tan Sri) Vincent Tan or on any proposal relating to the Tioman Airport. I will only comment on it once the ministry receives any form of communication on the matter.”
Earlier, Loke also received RM2 million from Seri Pajam Development Sdn Bhd and RM1,500 from Cameron Highlands taxi drivers for Tabung Harapan Malaysia.
As at 3pm today, Tabung Harapan Malaysia has collected more than RM61.3 million, as announced by the Finance Ministry.
The fund was created to give patriotic Malaysians an outlet to help Malaysia reduce its debts.