Kota Kinabalu (Nov 19, 2008): Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) state assemblyman for Likas, Datuk Liew Teck Chan, today called on the state government to fully explain the socio-economic benefits from the Kimanis-Bintulu gas pipeline.

During the debate on the state’s 2009 budget, he also wanted the state government to clarify how the pipeline will not affect the natural gas needs of Sabah.

“If the project is implemented, there are going to be unexpected implications like the building site in Kimanis including Sabah’s shore and the delivery point in Bintulu, Sarawak.

“That is why I urge the governments of both states and the federal government to ratify the plan,” Liew said. He also called on the state government to state the permanent payment, compensation or other royalties that will be paid to Sabah for the loss of opportunity to use its own gas energy.

“If the project takes off, there is a huge possibility that Sabah would be forced to use coal. So we want to know the compensation that will be paid for the pollution caused by coal use as suggested for Sandakan,” he said.

Liew also urged the state government to lay down the best conditions on land, beach and sea use for the proposed gas pipeline.

He hoped that the announcement on Friday to set up a petrochemical industry in Sabah would be honoured and that it was not just an empty promise.