Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha’s curt reply to Parliament on the construction of KLIA2 may prove the federal government has something to hide, said an MP.

In a statement today, DAP's Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua said Kong’s reply to his question does not bode well for accountability and transparency.

NONE Pua had submitted a question to Kong, demanding an explanation on why the KLIA2 project was relocated from KLIA North to KLIA West.

The relocation of the project was among the reasons that the cost of KLIA2 had ballooned from RM1.7 billion to RM3.9 billion.

    

“The sheer nonchalance and lack of willingness to provide clarification shows that there is something to hide,” said Pua.

In Kong’s written reply to Pua, the minister said the decision to shift KLIA2 from KLIA North to KLIA West was “based on the KLIA Blueprint dated December 2008".

Dialogue with Kong postponed

He also revealed that groundworks at KLIA West cost RM773.9 million, while the construction of a new control tower cost RM40.95 million.

Previously, Pua had alleged that the ballooning cost of KLIA2 was due to the relocation to KLIA West, which contains a peat swamp and is deemed unsuitable for an airport.

NONE He explained that additional costs would be needed compared to KLIA North, because groundworks were needed to remove about three metres of peat soil and replace it with stable material.

Earlier, Pua (left) also said he and Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar were looking forward to a rescheduled dialogue with Kong.

The duo had an appointment with Kong today, which was supposed to be held in Parliament House, but was put off by the minister at the last minute.

Kong had apparently sought the postponement because he urgently needed to attend a function in Taiping.

“We look forward to a rescheduled meeting with the minister to provide more detailed answers, since he is unwilling to do so in Parliament,” Pua added.

Kong: I have nothing to hide

Meanwhile, Kong later said the DAP leader should have directed questions about the construction of KLIA2 to Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad instead of accusing him of trying to cover up.

"I have nothing to hide. Whatever I know is provided by MAHB. They are a listed company, have their own board, answerable to their shareholders and Securities Commission. They even fund the project.

mca wanita agm 011011 kong chor har "MAHB has in fact put up information about the project in their website.

"They even posted letters related to the project between them and airlines. This was explained by them before. If he is still not satisfied, please ask them again," Bernama quoted him as saying.

"I have nothing to hide. I'm not an airport engineer or consultant for the project and whatever the information I have about the project were given by MAHB.

"What is there to cover up? If Tony Pua thinks something is wrong, there are agencies that can investigate. I have nothing to hide. To me, he was just playing politics."