‘Explain, apologise and we will forgive’

Najib Tun Razak must explain his government's
extravagance to Sabahans if he wants to
save himself at the ballot box.

By Luke Rintod of FMT

KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who begins a two-day visit to Sabah tomorrow, has been slapped with a litany of questions involving his government’s extravagant spending and financial scandals rocking the country.

Challenging Najib to clarify the allegations and speculations of squandered billions and to ‘save’ himself at the ballot box, State Reform Party (Star) Sabah deputy chairman Daniel Jambun said Najib must clear the perceptions that Umno has “no clear conscious” and prove that he is committed to stopping the rot on Sabah coffers.

“Scandals after scandals uncovered, this ruling party led by Umno seems to be immune of any wrong-doing as if it has no clear conscience.

“To them (Umno), it appears that everything is in order. But today let me ask the visiting PM Najib about some of the most notorious scandals and extravagance so that he may have the opportunity to clarify and quash them while here,” said Jambun.

Listing out his concerns, Jambun said Najib must explain the RM500 million commission derived from the submarine deals and the purchase of a similar sub worth RM4.1 billion.

“I would like to ask Najib what is his opinion on the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal that involved a whopping RM12 billion but since its is in court proceeding, the PM may not want say anything but what about the established commission to the tune of RM500 million derived from deals to buy our navy submarines?

“Can Najib, who is also Finance Minister, also explain the buying of submarines worth RM4.1 billion really boost security in Sabah waters?

“Mr PM what about the PSC naval dockyard that costs us RM6.75 billion? Do you call this prudent or necessary?” asked Jambun on the eve of Najib’s visit.

He further asked the PM to explain RM964 million Sime Darby scandal, the RM8 million Paya Indah Wetlands deal and the RM1 billion which was wasted on the Eurocopter transaction.

“And please can you also clarify to the people on the RM230 million lost in Pos Malaysia (Transmile)? Or the easier to explain collapse of the newly-built Terengganu Stadium that cost RM292 million to build?

“And what about the repair cost of RM70 million on the MRR2? Or the issue of Maybank’s overpaid bill to the tune of RM4 billion?” he asked citing facts and figures which are openly being discussed online but seldom get attention in the mainstream media.

‘Look at our dilapidated schools’

Unrelenting in his demand for explanation, Jambun said the people in East Malaysia also wanted to hear Najib’s opinion on the current RM250 million National Feedlot Corporation scandal involving minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

Questioning Najib’s often repeated call for the people to spend prudently, he said the government budget did not appear to reflect the same philosophy.

“Can you please explain to us why has your government approved RM70 million to build a Malaysian sport complex in London which now has become a white elephant? And what about the MATRADE repairs cost of RM120 million?

“Is this all what you called prudent spending in your budget every year?

“We Sabahans, would also want to ask Najib what is the benefit we received in the past 10 years since the Philharmonic Orchestra was established, as this orchestra is said to have swallowed our money to the tune of RM500 million.

“Is it true that its CEO’s salary is more than RM1 million per annum?” Jambun queried.

He also pointed out the fact that the government had disclosed that it spent RM3.2 billion in teaching Maths and Science in English over the past five years but had seen no tangible successes.

“Out of the amount, the government paid a whopping RM2.21 billion for the purchase of information and computer technology (ICT) equipments which were unable to give a breakdown.

“The government paid more than RM6,000 per notebook in contrast to market price of less than RM3,000 through some new consortia that was setup just to transact the notebook deal.

“Mr PM, there was no maths and science content for the teachers and the notebooks are all with the teachers’ children now.

“Look at our dilapidated schools and the poor students in Sabah, do you say this is “people first”? he taunted the premier.

‘We will forgive you’

He said the list of financial scandals was seemingly endless and urged Najib to “spend time and clarify these much talked about extravagances”

He said if Najib failed to explain the it would simply mean that “he did not care about how our money is spent”.

“All these extravaganza and ill-conceived ideas of yours are outrageous and unacceptable to Sabahans and Sarawakians.

“We believe this is the reason why your government is losing ground in the whole Peninsular.

“You must do something to quash all this talks once and for all.

“Perhaps, if you are man enough and have a clear conscience, you could just admit it and apologise to us the poorest Malaysians.

“We will forgive you at the ballot boxes. Or is this not-important for you to respond and clarify. You decide,” said Jambun half-sarcastically.