YB Jerlun questions Halliburton Operations in Nusajaya

This was an issue back in May. I've had it as draft for a while but never published it. Here it goes.

Jerlun MP Dato' Mukhriz Tun Mahathir on why Halliburton was allowed to install an assembly plant in Johor, considering the fact that the multinational was involved in securing contracts during the US invasion of Iraq.

"YB Dato Mukhriz Tun Mahathir meminta Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa Dan Industri menyatakan adakah Kementerian sedar bahawa syarikat dari Amerika Syarikat, Halliburton adalah pembekal senjata yang terbesar bagi tentera Amerika Syarikat di Iraq, yang sekali gus melibatkan mereka dalam pembunuhan lebih 1 juta rakyat Iraq yang tidak bersalah sejak tahun 2003, sila jelaskan kenapa Halliburton dibenarkan membuka kilang di Johor". Dewan Rakyat 26th May 2008.

Jawapan Menteri:

"Adalah menjadi dasar kerajaan untuk menarik dan menggalakkan pelaburan termasuk pelaburan asing dalam industri-industri yang terpilih dan berteknologi tinggi. Ini termasuklah industri petroleum dan gas dimana di dalam sektor perkilangan. Ianya melibatkan aktiviti pengeluaran peralatan dan kelengkapan untuk kegunaaan industri petroleum dan gas...."

"Keputusan kerajaan untuk membenarkan syarikat Halliburton Manufacturing and Technology Sdn Bhd membuka kilang di Johor merupakan satu keputusan yang dibuat berasaskan faedah terkumpul yang diperolehi daripada pelaburan tersebut. Kementerian juga mengambil maklum bahawa Syarikat Halliburton sudah tidak lagi terlibat dalam apa-apa perkhidmatan dan peralatan yang berkaitan dengan ketenteraaan sejak awal 2007......"

It is unfortunate to note that numerous companies gained from the invasion in Iraq from the military-industrial complex, oil lobby, logistical businesses and others. Halliburton stuck out like a sore thumb because of Dick Cheney. Cheney served as Sec of Defense under the Presidency of Bush Sr. He then joined Halliburton as Chief Executive before joining Bush Jr's presidential campaign and was inaugurated as US Vice President. The controversies surrounding oil companies, US invasion of Iraq and President Bush are known to many, all in the name of 'national security'.

Kellogg, Brown & Root, Halliburton's construction arm was awarded contracts worth USD12B in Iraq reconstruction project. After the many controversies surrounding KBR, Halliburton announced its severed ties with KBR in 2005. Numerous other private military contractors such as Blackwater subcontracted by KBR to provide security personnel drew fiery criticisms over alleged abuses in Iraq.