Penang PAC: Irregularities in tennis fiasco

The Penang Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has hinted that irregularities in procedures and a breakdown in communications were among factors that caused the ‘King of Tennis’ debacle.

Five witnesses called up to testify in the inquiry have apparently given conflicting versions of what had transpired.

PAC head Jagdeep Singh hinted that these were the initial findings, when he spoke to journalists yesterday after the second and final session of the inquiry.

He declined to elaborate, citing the state assembly Standing Orders bars disclosure of inquiry findings until the report has been presented to the House.

"I can only say that our initial findings discovered that there have been some shortcomings. We will recommend marked improvements in these and other specific areas (for future events)," he said.

Jagdeep said the witnesses had cooperated fully with the panel in giving their side of the story, although "these were conflicting on several aspects".

PAC may recall, if necessary, any of the five or call up new witnesses to assist its inquiry, if the panel needs further clarification on certain issues.

The panel will meet in a week to discuss and conclude its findings before submitting its report to speaker Abdul Halim Hussain (right), since the assembly is not currently in session.

Jagdeep said the inquiry was held to probe the accountability of the process, especially irregularities and any breakdown in communications, that caused the prestigious event to be cancelled.

It was to have taken place from Nov 14-17 on a makeshift grass court within a 5,000-seat open-air stadium at the Esplanade field. Tennis greats like John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Bjorn Borg and James Blake had been invited to take part.

The cancellation led to criticism of the competency of the Pakatan Rakyat state government and local municipal council.

The tournament organiser had reportedly erected the makeshift stadium structure - since dismantled - without proper documentation such as letter of request, council permit and rental agreement.

Questions were also raised by certain quarters as to whether ratepayers' money would be used to repair the damage to the field.

Organiser declines comment

State executive councillor Danny Law Heng Kiang, who oversees the tourism development, culture, arts and heritage portfolios, attended yesterday’s inquiry session.

Event organiser Arianna Teoh Lai Poh (left), accompanied by her lawyer Walter Teoh, also attended the four-hour session held in the Penang legislative assembly building in George Town.

Penang-born Teoh declined comment when approached by newsmen, only saying "I love Penang" before leaving.

Three top officials of the Penang Island Municipal Council - president Zainal Rahim Seman, secretary Tan Cheng Chui and community service department director Mohamad Ismail Ibrahim - had been called to the first session last Friday.

Both sessions were held before a seven-member bipartisan panel chaired by Jagdeep, the Datuk Keramat assemblyperson and a lawyer by training.

Other members were Koay Teng Hai (Pulau Tikus), Sim Tze Tzin (Pantai Jerejak) and Maktar Shapee (Sungai Bakap) of Pakatan Rakyat; and Syed Ameruddin Syed Ahmad (Bayan Lepas), Muhammad Farid Saad (Pulau Betong) and Ariff Shah Omar Shah (Seberang Jaya) of Umno.

The PAC comprises nine legislators, but Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman (Permatang Pasir) and Hilmi Yahaya (Teluk Bahang) were absent from both sessions.