Verbal spat over consulate building sale in HK continues

THE verbal spat between MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng over the sale of the Malaysian consulate building in Hong Kong has spilled into the lobby of the august House.

Both held press conferences yesterday to maintain their arguments over the issue, which erupted during debate on Tuesday.

Dr Wee said it was a fallacy for Lim to substantiate his argument that the building was worth RM1.68bil through a letter of offer.

According to the Ayer Hitam MP, the true value of a property can only be determined through a valuation report by professionals.

He said a letter of offer was merely an indication of interest to partake in the government’s open tender to purchase the building.

“It should have been done professionally. To sell a property, it (the price) has to be based on a valuation report. That is a professional opinion.

“That is why I asked if I could see the letter which said so. But it seems that it’s (the price) too good to be true,” he said.

On Tuesday, the two engaged in a heated argument after Dr Wee said the valuation of the property had been carried out by industry players in Hong Kong who valued it at HK$1.6bil, and not RM1.6bil which Lim had earlier claimed.

Following the shouting match, Lim told reporters that he would furnish the offer letter of an interested party wanting to buy the property at RM1.6bil.

Lim yesterday furnished the letter during a press conference held before Dr Wee’s.

He said the sale of the building was approved by the previous government for RM1.1bil through direct negotiation.

He added that the Pakatan Harapan government had intervened and held an open tender, where it received offers as high as RM1.68bil.

“I think when its done via open tender, you will get a higher price.

“That’s the difference between a clean government that practices open tender and an unclean government that practices direct negotiations,” he said.

The letter showed by Lim to the reporters indicated that the RM1.68bil offer was made on Jan 20.

“This is the evidence to the media which showed that a company in Hong Kong wants to offer RM1.68bil when he knows we want to conduct an open tender.

“The difference between RM1.68bil and RM1.1bil is RM587mil, which is a very big difference,” said Lim.

The letter showed by Lim however did not impress Dr Wee at all who said that he had seen such a letter many times.

“This is a letter of indication of interest. It only reflects an interest to enter bidding,” he said, added that the previous Barisan Nasional government’s decision to sell the building at RM1.1bil was made based on a valuation report.

“If he can double the market price then he should be praised and receive a standing ovation.

“But if he can’t, he should take responsibility and resign,” said Dr Wee.

The issue over the sale of the Hong Kong property was first brought up on March 26 when Lim had accused former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak of approving the sale of the property through direct negotiation.