Kota Kinabalu, Thurs.- Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) today called on the state government to review the implementation of the proposed RM4.3 billion paper and pulp project in light of serious concerns expressed by environmental groups and ordinary Sabahans regarding the deal.

Its deputy president, Dr Maximus Ongkili, said the sheer size of the project, substantial foreign ownership, non-disclosure of the EIA report, and the silent manner in which the project was approved clearly demanded that the government should adopt and open mind towards public feedback and comments regarding the project.

Dr Ongkili was commenting on reports quoting Chief Minister Datuk Osu Sukam that the project would proceed despite objections by various quarters and the government apparently "will not accept views that oppose our development plans for the people."

"The stern manner in which the government is defending the project is amazing while at the same time it is not even sure what tree species will be planted in the 220,000 hectares to be cleared.

"The area alienated is not a small piece, stretching from Kalabakan to Pensiangan. The people of Sabah have the right to know what is happening," he stressed.

The Bandau member of parliament claimed the area approved included the Kalabakan Virgin Forest and numerous state lands owned by interior farmers on native customary rights (NCR) basis.

"If it is indeed true that virgin forest reserves are involved and included a vast area of Yayasan Sabah concession then the matter must first go the State Assembly for approval before the project can proceed. To our knowledge, the Yayasan Sabah enactment does not provide power to sub-lease any of its concession areas," he said.

Dr Ongkili argued that enough forest areas had been sold off or privatised by the State government, particularly the 2 million hectares under the Forest Management Units now owned by some twenty large, non-Sabahan companies.

"To date there none of the FMU owners have started doing reforestation and indeed many have not submitted their forest management plans despite all the grand promises. What makes the government think that this new project involving another 220,000 hectares of our precious forests will succeed?" he asked.

"As we have repeatedly stressed, the whole forest development plans of the BN government is nothing more than an asset transfer between the state and foreign corporations, with ordinary Sabahans and their children being the big losers," he alleged.

Dr Ongkili urged the government to disclose the full details of the China-ICSB pulp deal and make public the EIA report for the proposed project.