Oil spill: Why no action against CMS?

Why is the government hesitant about hauling-up Taib Mahmud-linked CMS Premix for the massive oil spill in Liku River last month?

KUCHING: The opposition in Sarawak want action to be taken against CMS Premix, a company linked to Chief Minister Taib Mahmud, for allegedly spilling oil into the Liku River which is the main source of drinking water for 300,000-strong population in Miri.

The fact that no investigation has been initiated todate is indicative of the Barisan Nasional’s atitude towards environment disasters, said Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chien Jen.

“Why are investigation and action not taken? Is it because CMS Premix belongs to the family members of Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud?

“Is the government going to take action against CMS premix, carry out an investigation and prosecute CMS premix and its directors in court?


“(As it is) it looks like the BN is trying to cover-up the whole thing and protect CMS premix,” Chong said.

Chong had raised the issue in parliament saying that the Barisan National’s action in the CMS Premix case would be a reflection of its stand on toxic waste.

“If nothing is to be done (to CMS Premix), and if that is the attitude of Barisan Nasional, then what more can we say about Lynas in Pahang which produces toxic waste and radioactive?” he asked.

Earlier this month 14,000 litres of oil from CMS’s diesel-bitumen premix plant contaminated the Liku River from which the Lambir Water Treatment Plant sourced its water supply.

Some 300,000 people in Miri were without drinking water for over 12 hours as a result.

Although the Department of Environment (DOE) has since said that it is satisfied with the extensive clean-up of the river and that the water is now safe, people are still concerned.

BP spill

Many citizens believed the oil spill was due to poor safe-keeping of the fuel barrels.

“We know that it (oil spill) was caused by CMS Premix, a company owned by Chief Minister’s family members. So far no investigation has been carried out.

“We still can remember in the 2010 oil spill caused by BP in USA. The company was fined for the oil spill between USD5 billion and USD20 billion.

“In that connection the company had to pay compensation to the local residents amounting to USD7.8 billion. “This is to ensure that companies will be very careful in the future,” he said.


Joseph Tawie | March 22, 2012