Let’s debate, Azalina dares Salahuddin

The Pengerang MP says that all the allegations made by Himpunan Hijau and PAS' Salahuddin Ayub over the petrochemical plant are fabrications meant to vilify BN.

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KUALA LUMPUR: Pengerang MP Azalina Othman Said today issued a formal challenge to PAS’ Salahuddin Ayub to debate over the controversial RM60 billion petrochemical project in her constituency.

The Petronas Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (Rapid) has raised the ire of green group Himpunan Hijau Lestari Pengerang (HHLP), which said that it would affect the locals’ livelihood as well as destroy the environment.

Their cause garnered the support of Salahuddin, who said today he would make the issue a national priority.

But Azalina dismissed the concerns made by Salahuddin and HHLP as fabrications meant to vilify the Barisan Nasional government in the run up to the 13th general election.

“I was told by the JPDC [Johor Petroleum Development Corporation] that so far, in the first phase, no one has rejected the project. Seventy have agreed to the relocation, while 109 agreed with reservations,” she told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

“So it is wrong to say that we have not engaged with the villagers, and that all locals are against this project. As such, I am issuing a formal challenge to Salahuddin to debate over this matter anywhere he wants.

“Except for my house and his, as we might get caught for khalwat [close proximity]. After all, I’m still a virgin,” she joked.

The issue of land grab

Asked why the government had chosen to develop the plant in Pengerang rather than state-owned land, Azalina said it was a matter of strategy.

“JPDC informed me that they want to take advantage of the shipping route near Pengerang. If the project is developed elsewehere, we wouldn’t have the benefit of the trading ships passing by the area and investing [in the complex].

“For instance, if you wanted to open a petrol station, you wouldn’t build it in the middle of the forest, would you?” she asked.

Azalina also assured that land prices were not set at RM2.80 per square feet as alleged by HHLP and Salahuddin, claiming instead that prices varied based on the location and condition of the land.

“The price of RM2.80 per square feet is for land located deep in the rural area, while the highest price offered is RM8 per square feet.

“There is no flat rate – this is not a McDonald’s value meal where the price is already set. If that were the case, even I would get angry,” she said.

She suggested that those locals who had gained “millions of ringgit” from selling their land had chosen to stay quiet to avoid being “coerced” into donating towards HHLP’s cause.

Youths will be trained in oil and gas

On fears that the locals would lose their source of livelihood, Azalina said that a new fishing complex would be built nearby and there were discussions about creating fish farms.

She also said that the government intended to set up an institution to train local youths in the field of oil and gas so that they might apply for work at the plant once construction was completed.

“These youths will receive certificates upon completion of their training. We will consider issuing diplomas and degrees as well. The new 2,000 acre Felda land will also provide homes and business to the youths.

“As such, all claims that there will be no jobs for the locals are completely false,” she stressed.

Environmental concerns

Azalina said she was also “very disappointed” by the fact that HHLP and Sallahuddin were now crying “pollution” over an area she claimed had been polluted for years by the hundreds of ships docked there.

“The area is a shipping area, not a tourist spot, and pollution has been going on there for 10 years. If they want to talk about pollution, when the ships spilled oil there last year, where were they?

“HHLP wasn’t around to back me up all those times I brought up the issue of oil spill and farmers’ livelihood in parliament,” she pointed out.

She also said their claims that the development would endanger the dugongs were “too much” to swallow, as there were no dugongs in the area.

“The dugongs stay far away due to the ships that cross the area. Otherwise, hundreds of dugongs will die from being hit by the trading ships,” she said.

“If you want to speak up about this issue, you have to brush up your knowledge first,” she added.

She also said that Taiwan’s rejection of the project was not related to Malaysia due to “differing circumstances”.

“This is not Lynas all over again. Do you have statistics telling me that people in Kerteh and Jurong in Singapore have died of oil and gas? This is an industry that has gone on for many years,” she pointed out.

PAS MP: I want the Johor MB, not Azalina
Salahuddin however turned down Azalina’s challenge and sought for a debate with Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman instead.

“I would like to debate with the Johor menteri besar over the issue of land grab in Pengerang as he has more authority over the fate of Pengerang residents,” he told reporters at the parliament lobby.

“I suggest Azalina to instead debate with [HHLP chairperson] Anis Afidah. Let it be woman against woman. I don’t want to go against a woman,” said the Kubang Kerian MP.