PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has questioned if claims that the granting of government-owned land to the China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) were true.

The MCA president had asked the International Trade and Industry Minister about the matter in Parliament on Wednesday (July 3).

Dr Wee said he raised two questions regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between CCCC and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida), which has been accused of being a “side deal” for the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project negotiations.

Dr Wee, who is also Ayer Hitam MP, said the minister seemed to avoid answering a question on whether government-owned land had been given to the CCCC and which company was overseeing the project.

“I’m also confident that the minister realised that the name Mida was mentioned by blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin (RPK) who claimed that Mida has handed over thousands of acres of land to the CCCC.

“RPK also claimed that the granting of land and project to the CCCC worth RM10bil was a side deal in the ECRL project.

“So if everyone did not want to answer, does that mean that the claim is true?” questioned Dr Wee in a Facebook post Sunday (July 7).

Darell Leiking, although not named in Dr Wee’s statement, is the International Trade and Industry Minister.

Dr Wee also asked the minister to disclose details about the MoU signed in Beijing, China on April 25, but claimed that the latter did not provide a satisfactory answer.

Dr Wee said he expected the minister to give a full explanation about the details of the MoU because what had been published by the mainstream media was limited.

“The minister’s answer about the details of the MoU was the same as what was published in the newspapers such as creating economic opportunities including building an industrial park, logistics hub and development based on the ECRL project.

“At least state the job scope for both parties, terms and conditions and other matters that are usually contained in the MoU,” said Dr Wee.

In a reply in Parliament to Dr Wee’s question on whether there was land given to the CCCC, the minister said that the issue was beyond the jurisdiction of his ministry.

“In relation to that, it is suggested for the YB Ayer Hitam to refer to the jurisdiction as well as the current guidelines of the state government authorities on the matter,” said his reply.