PETRONAS SLAMMED ON PROJECTS

BONGAWAN: Kimanis MP Datuk Seri Anifah Aman slammed the management of Petronas for behaving like an untouchable giant and not honouring its promise to provide opportunities to the locals here and in Kimanis after the mega Sabah Oil and Gas Terminal (SOGT) project is developed (in Kimanis).

"Petronas has a little ego problem. Even their officers are very proud. As Kimanis MP, Minister and a Barisan Nasional (BN) leader, I will not hesitate to take suitable and vital action for the sake of the people in Kimanis.

"I do not want the locals to just watch and see opportunities they should be getting given to outsiders.

"We are given contracts worth RM5,000 or RM7,000 as if we are beggars when it is making millions. Even me as the Kimanis MP want to give them sand for the setting up of a co-operative but they rejected and gave others the opportunity.

"This is happening even to me as a MPÉso what about the ordinary people here," said Anifah, who is also Kimanis Umno Divisional Chief, at a Gotong-Royong to clean up the Bongawan River at Pantai Kenangan in Kg Seri Serbang, Saturday.

The Foreign Minister said the opportunities promised for the locals here and in Kimanis have not even reached 10 per cent in terms of implementation.

"When I discussed with them in 2003 or 2004 about bringing the industrial development here, Petronas made many promises.

"Until now, Petronas has yet to invite me in my capacity as the elected representative and as a Minister to hear its briefing on the types of opportunities they can give to the locals.

"Complaints from the locals here are channeled directly to me and not to Petronas. They complained they have yet to enjoy what was promised.

They see the development but not the benefits," he said, adding the Petronas management, including the new one, did not seem to care.

"We want to defend Barisan Nasional (BN) and Petronas but the projects are given to Koreans and outsiders. The locals only watch.

The BN and the Prime Minister are not at fault but the Petronas management.

Anifah said he is fully aware that Petronas has its own 'towkay' and was aware this although he was always on duty overseas.

He said even the catering and putting up fencing were given to outsiders.

He said he resolved many Petronas issues outside the country and yet the company did not even thank him for it. "Petronas is only thankful to the Prime Minister and not to the Federal Ministers in the Cabinet and other Mps."

He urged Petronas to give a briefing on the opportunities for locals including providing courses that could enhance their socio-economic status and directed his special officer, Datuk Awang Sahak Salleh, to set up a committee to attend the briefing.

"If Petronas fails to brief us on the opportunities for which priority should be given to us, I will know what to do." Anifah said he is voicing out these dissatisfactions not to insult Petronas or portray it in a negative way but asking it to pay more attention to the locals in these two districts.

He cautioned Petronas that the local communities would join him in taking action so that Petronas would learn to respect the people here.

The Papar District Office and Petronas jointly organised the event in conjunction with a Water Sports Carnival to be held at Pantai Kenangan here on Jan. 19.

A total of 890kg of rubbish from the area were collected in three lorries including plastic and bottles (482.4kg), iron (7kg), aluminium material (2.6kg) and non-recyclable items (398.9kg). (DE)