He denied saying during a press conference yesterday that DreamEDGE Sdn Bhd, the company driving the project, was 100% privately-owned, despite an opposition MP saying otherwise.
He also denied saying that DreamEDGE was eligible to apply for federal government grants, as has been reported by several local media.
According to a recording obtained by FMT, Leiking had said “It’s privately funded. No government funding at all,” when asked by reporters where the company would obtain funds for the project. “That is what we know of and, again, DreamEDGE would be the anchor who will lead it on a private-funding basis.”
Asked by a reporter if the government would give DreamEDGE any tax incentives or tax breaks, Leiking responded: “Just like any other company, they can apply and then we’ll see whether or not they are entitled to it.”
FMT understands that a Bernama report on the matter has since removed the word “grant” from a quote attributed to Leiking.
Yesterday MCA president Wee Ka Siong accused Leiking and Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng of lying about DreamEDGE being privately-owned, saying that there was federal government investment in the company.
DreamEDGE CEO Khairil Adri Adnan said a shareholder in DreamEDGE, VentureTECH Sdn Bhd, owns 10% of DreamEDGE.
Lim previously said no public funds would be used for the project.
Wee had criticised Lim, saying VentureTECH is 100% owned by Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), which in turn is owned 100% by the government.
“The main issue here is that the ministers have lied to the public when they promised that no public funds will be used and claimed that the company is 100% privately-owned,” Wee said.
“Leiking had also said that the company will be eligible to apply for government grants,” he added.
A spokesman from Leiking’s office told FMT there were no plans at present to respond to Wee’s other claims and queries as they are “political” in nature.
A spokesman for Lim, meanwhile, shared Khairil’s statement yesterday rebutting Wee’s claims.
DreamEDGE, a company based in Cyberjaya, will work with Daihatsu Motors in Japan to develop the new national car. Mass production is slated for 2031.