Miffed with Works Minister S Samy Vellu's statement that RM99 million spent on renovating the Parliament last year was not exorbitant, Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang today lodged a report with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA).

However, the veteran politician said he was bound by law not to divulge details of his report that was lodged with the ACA headquarters in Putrajaya.

"Although I cannot say a single word of my report, I want to respond to what appeared in the press today, in particular the ludicrous claim by the works minister that RM99 million for the renovation is not high.

"Samy Vellu has in fact made a total mockery of the directive by the prime minister to the Public Works Department to slash all prestigious projects which are of little benefit to the people," he added in a statement.

Wasteful renovation

While acknowledging the need to renovate the Parliament, which was constructed in 1963, to accommodate the high number of representatives, Lim said the RM85 million (initial) cost has however become a symbol of how public funds should not be wasted.

"...As apart from a glitzy appearance and many useless columns, there is less usable space, functionality and utility for MPs who have more than doubled since 1963," he pointed out.

"If the RM85 million renovation has to pass the test as to whether it is beneficial to the MPs, it will be a big flop. Now another RM14 million for the renovation is being requested, bringing the total cost to RM99 million," he said.

Lim said if Samy Vellu wants to heed the premier's call to cut out prestige 'white elephant' projects, he should ensure that wasteful features of the RM99 million renovation are slashed to maximise functionality and utility.

He added that for starters, the entire Parliament plan, together with all details, including its separate costs, should be submitted to MPs and the public to keep up with the principles of openness, transparency and accountability.

PAC must investigate

Meanwhile, the Ipoh Timor MP also called on the Public Accounts Committee to convene an emergency meeting to conduct a full investigation into the costly renovation.

He said the works minister should not use his ACA report as an excuse to shy away from explaining the issue.

Lim also hit out at the works minister's 'lame explanation' on the escalating cost behind the renovation.

"Samy Vellu was not being honest and truthful when he specifically denied last Tuesday that Parliament renovation would cost RM85 million, claiming that it was only RM60 million - which he now explained had been paid to the contractors - without mentioning that there would be another request to bring the total cost to RM99 million," he said.

The minister had explained that the original cost was at RM49 million but Parliament had requested another RM36 million, which was approved.

According to him, so far RM75 million worth of work has been completed and RM60 million has been paid to the contractor.

Far from satisfied, Lim responded: "Although Samy Vellu kept saying that it was Parliament that had increased its request from RM49 million to RM85 million and now RM99 million, nobody in Parliament seems to know of such requests or sums."

"Parliament Speaker Ramli Ngah Talib, for instance, said the previous Saturday that the cost for the renovation was RM60 million and not RM80 million - while the members of the Dewan Rakyat House Committee, who met for the first time last Friday, knew nothing about the renovation," he added.

Lim also rebuked PAC chairperson Shahrir Samad for saying that the House Committee is pursuing the renovation matter and hence the PAC would not 'interfere' as to avoid the impression that there is 'no confidence' between the two committees.

"This is a wrong and misguided attitude, as there is nothing whether in the Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders, in Commonwealth or international parliamentary practices of law which prevent more than one body conducting investigations into one particular issue," said the opposition leader.

The issue surrounding the Parliament's renovation arose following a leak (photo) in the Dewan Rakyat on April 28 which resulted in the last day of the session being ended prematurely.