In a joint statement, the MPs called for the prime minister to present a pre-feasibility study (PFS), feasibility study (FS) and a final investment decision (FID) on the project.
The statement was issued by PKR’s Rafizi Ramli and Wong Chen, as well as DAP’s Ong Kian Ming and Amanah’s Dr Hatta Ramli.
“It is known that infrastructure projects funded by China through its companies involve the use of Chinese manpower and contractors, as well the use of materials, technology and support systems from China.
“This does not in any way benefit Malaysia. What is more worrying is Malaysia becoming dependent on China in the long term if the country (China) uses the model it has imposed on other countries.”
The RM55 billion bill is also excessive, they claimed.
“High-value projects like this need a pre-feasibility study, a feasibility study and a final investment decision.
“This includes scrutiny into the projected number of passengers, tickets, cost and other aspects, which would help gauge whether the project can go on without burdening taxpayers.
“Questions like how much the ticket price is and how much it is expected to increase in the next 20 years have to be answered before the government signs a contract with its Chinese counterpart.”
The MPs then urged Prime Minister Najib Razak to present the feasibility studies in Parliament first before committing to the project with China as it involved a hefty amount of funding and therefore needs Parliament’s approval.
However, the group expressed concern that Najib would not heed their call.
They said they would set up their own team, comprising experts from various fields, to carry out a pre-feasibility study on the project, which will be presented to the public 30 days from today.
Najib is currently on a six-day visit to Beijing, China, and has signed at least 14 deals on defence, agriculture, education, finance and construction, worth some RM143.64 billion, with the superpower.
This includes the purchase of four Chinese naval vessels.
Some critics have seen the move as Najib aligning himself to China in light of the United States’ Department of Justice lawsuits to recover funds allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB.