MEMBAKUT: A Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) leader has called on former prime minister Datuk Najib Razak to explain the RM4.06 billion Trans Sabah Gas Pipeline (TSGP) project scandal in Kimanis.
The TSGP is one of two pipeline projects valued at RM9.4 billion under Suria Strategic Energy Resources Sdn Bhd (SSER), in which 88 per cent of the cost was paid to China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (CPPB) but only 13 per cent of work was completed.
Warisan treasurer general Terrence Siambun said Najib owed Sabahans an explanation especially to the Kimanis folk on why he allowed such payment to be made with China.
"Najib came to Sabah and alleged that Kimanis lost everything when the recent cancellation of the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) had caused (Pan Borneo Highway project) to be abandoned.
"However, our Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal had explained that the billion-ringgit mega project will continue but using new formulas and approaches, which will cut expenditure.
"Now, I want to ask Najib on the TSGP, why 88 per cent of the total cost had been paid for the project, but no pipelines have been laid with only 11.4 per cent of land clearing has been completed," he said.
Siambun noted that part of the terms and conditions of the contract given to the CPPB on Nov 1, 2016, states, among others, entailed the money should be paid regardless of the construction progress and workers/materials to be imported from China.
He said while the idea on TSGP is good, it had been exploited with ridiculous terms and conditions that it benefit only to one party.
Siambun also said Najib had previously offered the development of Labuan island as a tourism and offshore banking hub to the Chinese.
He said that the state opposition leaders should make their stand on this matter.
"What is the position of our state Umno leaders on this matter whom I saw in pictures were walking arm-in-arm with Najib during the Kimanis by-election nomination day?
"The state Umno leaders or even those from the Parti Bersatu Sabah should not be afraid of Najib nor be hopeful with him anymore. He already lost all his powers and in fact, the 'Bossku' is a big liability here in Sabah.
"Since Najib is coming to Sabah on tomorrow (Jan 11), it will be good if he explain it to us in detail about the TSGP scandal. (PBS president) Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili should also be there since he was the former minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water that planned the project.
"It will even be better if our Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng or Tony Pua can also drop on the same date. Perhaps, we can see a friendly debate in Kimanis on the issue. After all, TSGP starts from Kimanis," said Siambun.
TSGP involves building a 662km gas pipeline from the Kimanis Gas Terminal to Sandakan and Tawau.