Pantai sewage upgrade: MP unsatisfied with minister’s answer

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah says minister Peter Chin was only sidestepping the queries she had raised and wants him to be transparent.

MALACCA: PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar has accused Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Peter Chin Fah Kui of being evasive over his answers on the Pantai 2 sewage treatment plant upgrade project.

“Again, I ask the minister to reveal the documents that detail the exact amount and why was a particular company chosen,” said Nurul, who questioned why Chin had refused to reveal which company had received the contract.

“Clearly, he has not taken the ‘transparent’ route to allay any concerns of ‘direct tender’ and over expenditure in this case,” she said.

Nurul was responding to Chin’s comments to dismiss claims that the cost to upgrade the sewage treatment plant in Pantai in Lembah Pantai has doubled. This claim was originally made by Nurul earlier this week. The plant sits in her constituency.

Chin had earlier brushed off Nurul’s claim that the project has ballooned from RM500 million to RM1 billion. He said that Nurul was merely speculating.

Chin had said:”I don’t know where she got the information from on the value of the project… the RM500 million, that is her figure. We have not issued anything on this. It is only her speculation

“Yes, you say its my speculation, but are you saying its untrue? The minister should be a little more transparent with his answers,” Nurul retorted.

Nurul had alleged that the upgrading project was riddled with discrepancies, including the 100% increase above supposed market value. She had also alleged that the contract was awarded via direct negotiations

The government was said to be in the final stages of awarding the job “to a contractor”.