KLIA2 scandal: Kong passing buck to MAHB, says Pua

Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha has been accused of incompetence for refusing to elaborate on the reasons for relocating the KLIA2 site, suggesting instead that any queries on the matter be directed at Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB).

In a statement today, DAP publicity secretary Tony Pua (left) said Kong was showing a lack of accountability in this matter, because the KLIA2 project has dramatically ballooned in cost and tax payers deserved answers.

"How can a minister plead ignorance over a RM3.9 billion scandal right under his nose?" asked Pua, who is also the Petaling Jaya Utara MP.

Yesterday, Pua issued a statement stating his dissatisfaction over Kong's curt written reply in Parliament to a question on why KLIA2 was relocated from the originally proposed northern site, dubbed KLIA North, to the current western site (KLIA West).

Since December, Pua has been hounding the government on the issue, divulging that KLIA2 was unsuitable as an airport site because part of it is a peat swamp, which partly contributed to its construction bill rocketing from RM1.7 billion to RM3.6 billion.

However, Kong's written reply merely stated that the reason for the relocation was made "based on KLIA Blueprint December 2008".

Responding to Pua's complaint, he told reporters yesterday evening that Pua was "playing politics" and "barking up the wrong tree".

"(Pua) should direct question about the construction of KLIA2 to MAHB instead of accusing (us) of trying to cover up," said Kong.

Full audit needed
Kong added that he had nothing to hide and was not an airport engineer. He said whatever information he has about the project came from MAHB.

Responding to this, Pua said Kong cannot plead ignorance because the Transport Ministry secretary-general Long See Wooi was sitting on MAHB's board.

Furthermore, the ministry is the regulating agency for airports and the aviation industry must be competent enough to know why MAHB was allowed to relocate KLIA2, causing a massive cost overrun.

"Is Kong claiming that his secretary-general is sleeping on his job and has no clue over the underlying reason for the cost explosion over the KLIA2 project?

"Or do they think that the amount of money is so trivial that it doesn't necessitate a full audit and bring to book those who have been negligent, intentionally or otherwise?" he said.

In view of the debt which MAHB has to undertake in order to meet KLIA2's increased cost, Pua said he would not be surprised if airport taxes are hiked in the future to facilitate this.