BN MP wants Syed Mokhtar's hands off Penang port

Vocal BN Parliamentarian Bung Mokhtar Radin today condemned plans to allow tycoon Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary to privatise the Penang Port because it would concentrate too much power on one person.

During the debate on the Supplementary Budget Bill at the Dewan Rakyat today, Bung Mokhtar, who is famed for his outspoken character, also implied that Syed Mokhtar was a “prince” who was given preferential treatment.

"If (the port) is for him too, it may not be suitable in today's circumstances," said the Kinabatangan MP, interjecting during the International Trade and Industry Ministry’s winding up speech.

Bung Mokhtar also lashed out at the practice of treating certain business man like “princes”who are granted government projects and being financially backed by many banks.

"Why must we treat only one person as anak raja (prince). If the ministry want to create more princes, I and Seri Gading (Mohamad Aziz) are willing," he jibed.

Bung Mokhtar was commenting on the decision by the government to award the contract for the privatisation of Penang Port to Seaport Terminal (Johor) Sdn Bhd, a company owned by the tycoon seen close to the BN-led government.

The plan came under heavy fire from the Opposition who feared that the businessmen will then turn the international trading hub into a feeder operation for the Tanjung Pelepas port, also owned by Syed Mokhtar.

They have also accused the government of trying to concentrate wealth into the hands of BN cronies.