SANDAKAN: Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said it is wrong to accuse the party of being responsible for the cancellation of the Trans-Sabah Gas Pipeline (TSGP) project, saying it was a federal government decision.
The former Federal Minister and Chief Minister said billions of ringgit was borrowed and spent on the TSGP while the pipeline itself was left incomplete.
“Why accuse me? It was a Cabinet decision then, and the federal government had already borrowed billions from China. The money was spent but the pipeline was not completed. The issue must be investigated, and those responsible should be held accountable,” he said.
The TSGP was launched in 2016 to secure energy supply for Sabah’s east coast, particularly Sandakan, Tawau and Kinabatangan. It was cancelled in 2018 and in February, this year, federal confirmed there were no plans to revive the project after issuing a suspension notice last July.
That suspension, announced by the Finance Ministry on July 3, 2025, halted all services and operations and saw the project’s management replaced.
At the time, Energy Minister Yeo Bee Yin said no decision was made on whether the project would be resumed or scrapped entirely, leaving its future in limbo.
Shafie was speaking at the Program Bersama Rakyat where more than 1,500 people from various parties and backgrounds reportedly joined Warisan.
He said the surge in new members reflected growing confidence in Warisan, adding he is confident of securing a majority and forming the next state government even if it contested all 73 seats.
Shafie also urged preparedness for climate-related challenges, pointing to recent floods, water shortages and the risk of fires in Sabah.
“We must be ready to protect lives during floods and ensure sufficient water supply during prolonged heatwaves to prevent fires. Communities and the government alike must step up preparedness,” he said.
He said for Sabah to develop its own long-term energy and water solutions, there is need to explore dam projects similar to Sarawak’s Bakun.
“Why can’t we build dams in Sabah? In Kinabatangan, we have large rivers that can support such projects. These can help us overcome electricity and water issues while creating jobs for Sabahans,” Shafie said.