  We use the decay modes $B \to K^*_0(1430) \pi$ and $B \to a_0(980) K$ to
study the scalar mesons $K^*_0(1430)$ and $a_0(980)$ within perturbative QCD
framework. For $B \to K^*_0(1430) \pi$, we perform our calculation in two
scenarios of the scalar meson spectrum. The results indicate that scenario II
is more favored by experimental data than scenario I. The important
contribution from annihilation diagrams can enhance the branching ratios about
50% in scenario I, and about 30% in scenario II. The predicted branching ratio
of $B \to a_0(980) K$ in scenario I is also less favored by the experiments.
The direct CP asymmetries in $B \to K^*_0(1430) \pi$ are small, which are
consistent with the present experiments.
