Shafie in the dark on Sabah Gas Pipeline termination but had to kowtow to decision

KOTA KINABALU - The Sabah government accepts the federal government's decision to terminate a contract related to the Trans-Sabah Gas Pipeline (TSGP), but Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal says they should have been told about it earlier.

Commenting on Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng's statement saying the engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCC) contract for TSGP was among those terminated involving China-based contractors, he said the state government was not aware of this as the project was being managed at federal level.

"It is not a problem if the federal government wants to delay or scrap the project, but at least, let us know, as the state is involved.

"Those were our concerns... that we are not informed on the implementation progress or the cancellation (of the project)," he told reporters after visiting the Sembulan Ramadhan bazaar on Sunday (May 26).

Shafie said they were aware that the gas pipeline project would benefit Sabah, including creating downstream industries in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau and Lahad Datu.

"But we leave it to the federal government. The state's priority is now ensuring the Pan Borneo Highway is completed as soon as possible.

"A water dam in Papar must be realised as well as expansion projects in Sandakan and Tawau airports as the infrastructure is needed to develop the state," he added.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/05/26/shafie-sabah-not-informed-about-gas-pipeline-project-termination/#foLGWRIaBkpH0wpP.99