The government has nothing to hide from the public even if it does not disclose the contents of contracts with major highway concessionaires, said Deputy Works Minister Mohd Zin Mohamed.

"Ultimately the government has to be responsible to stakeholders. (We have) nothing to hide. If privatisation (of projects) is not feasible, no bank will take up the burden (of providing loans)," he said when winding-up on the Budget 2006 debate at the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said the main reason for not making the terms of contract public was because the contents varied between projects.

"If we make the documents public, concessionaires would ask why the terms are different from one concession to another," he said

Not acceptable

Parliamentary Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, refusing to accept this, said public interest should be placed above the interests of the government and the concessionaires.

"This is also to make sure that no corruption is involved. Your answer is unacceptable. Why can't the government be more open and accountable?" he asked.

He said the contracts should at least be made public after the projects are completed.

"The contract with Plus (North-South Highway) is still classified as 'rahsia' (confidential) after 20 years. Isn't this against the public interest? Isn't this against the government's move to fight corruption?"

Mohd Zin also reiterated the contractor for the Middle Ring Road II will bear the cost of repairs for the cracked flyover in Kepong.