The call to reveal power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed between Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and independent power producers (IPPs) is growing louder, with Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) joining the bandwagon.

NONE In a press statement today, the Malaysia chapter of the international NGO urged the government to immediately declassify the PPAs to show its commitment to transparency and accountability.

"The principles of transparency, good governance and accountability must be put into practise. As such, there is no other option except full disclosure of these agreements," says the statement issued by TI-M president Paul Low ( above ).

"TI-M is disappointed that transparency and accountability have taken a back seat in energy pricing. The government must declassify the PPAs and not invoke the Official Secrets Act."

People have the right to know

Earlier this week, Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Peter Chin said the government has no power to make the PPAs public as the agreements are contracts signed between the government and private entities.

However Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the government would look into this, but stressed that the IPPs were not benefiting from the government gas subsidy.

TI-M argued that Malaysians have the right to know the contents of the PPAs as they are directly affected by the recent electricity tariff hikes.

"Any electricity tariff hike will impact Malaysian consumers, either directly or indirectly, as they will bear the burden of increased costs of goods and services.

"Free access to information is a fundamental right of all citizens and a basic tenant of the principles of Freedom of Information," read the statement.

Earlier today, PKR demanded that the government discloses details of the PPAs within a week - or the party would file a legal suit to force the contracts to be made public.