Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin is demanding the government prove that funds from the scrapped RM4 billion Trans Sabah Gas Pipeline (TSGP) project were properly reallocated to strategic sectors in Sabah.

“I urge the government to provide clear and transparent proof that the TSGP funds have indeed been reallocated to the stated sectors. 

“What are the mechanisms and specific projects that have been implemented using these funds? How much was actually allocated to each sector?” Bung said in a statement on Saturday. 

His call comes after receiving the written reply from the Economic Ministry in Parliament. 

On Wednesday, Bung sought from Minister Rafizi Ramli confirmation whether the federal government had officially cancelled the project.

The TSGP project was initially launched in 2016 under Barisan Nasional (BN) government where a 662km gas pipeline from Kimanis to Sandakan and Tawau was supposed to be constructed. 

However, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government cancelled the project in 2018, citing that 88% of the funds had been disbursed despite only 13% of the work being completed. 

It was later revived under Perikatan Nasional (PN) in 2021 before being scrapped again in 2025. This had sparked renewed concerns over its repeated cancellations and fund management. 

In 2022, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s proposed to redirect the TSGP funds to the Southern Link project instead. 

Sabah later obtained regulatory control over electricity supply on January 2024. 

Bung said Sabahans have long been promised development but continue to face poor infrastructure and lack of basic facilities compared to other states.

“If the government is truly serious about developing Sabah, prove it with concrete actions, not just announcements without visible and tangible results for the people,” he said.

He urged the government to provide immediate answers on the status of the funds, warning against empty promises.

“Do not let the decision to cancel TSGP become yet another episode of injustice against Sabah, which continues to be sidelined in the country’s development,” Bung said.

Previously, Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal also questioned the cancellation. He had questioned that a significant portion of the funds – approximately 88% of the RM4.6 billion project – had been spent while little progress had been made. – February 29, 2025