KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- The government Wednesday announced an 11-member Special Task Force headed by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan to restore the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project and identify measures for its development.

The task force would, among others, determine the type of misconduct or criminal element on the part of individuals or entities involved in the project and recommend actions to be taken against them, Mohd Sidek said in a statement.

He said that the task force would submit reports to the government within six month, and from to time, would call in the parties concerned to seek their explanation.

The task force's members are Public Service Director-General Tan Sri Ismail Adam, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, Finance Ministry Secretary-General Tan Sri Dr Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah, Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang, Port Klang Authority (PKA) general manager Kee Lian Yong.

Chairman and chief executive officer of LIN Associates Sdn Bhd Tan Sri Dr Lin See Yan, Vinayak P. Pradhan of Messrs Skrine and Co, PriceWaterHouseCoopers Advisory Services managing director Chin Kwai Fatt, Malaysian Institute of Accountants president Abdul Rahim Abdul Hamid and Malaysian Institute of Corporate Governance president Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas.

Mohd Sidek said Transport Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Zakaria Bahari was appointed secretary and he would be assisted by the ministry's Deputy Secretary-General (Planning) Datuk Long See Wool.

He said that the task force would recommend measures to improve governance as well as PKFZ's management.

It would also assess PKA and PKFZ's financial situation, prepare a restructuring plan for the PKFZ, formulate business models for the PKA and PKFZ, and recommend strategic plans to attract local and foreign investors.

PKFZ is embroiled in controversy when the cost for is development shot up to RM4.6 billion from RM2 billion.

Following this, the PKA lodged two police reports on an alleged "over-billing" of up to RM1 billion and claims of conspiracy to cheat PKA, involving the turnkey contractor Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd and project consultant BTA Architects.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Public Accounts Committee are also investigating the PKFZ issue.