2 Penangites fail to buy documents
GEORGE TOWN: Two Penangites have filed applications to the state government to purchase documents in relation to the proposed RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel project.
The applications were made by Jason Loo Jieh Shieng, 36, and Puvanitan Puven, 34, to obtain more details about the controversial project.
Loo said the applications were made based on his capacity as a Penangite after Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said on Saturday that there was no necessity to reveal the project agreement to unrelated parties.
He said the applications would, among others, enable them to get information about the undersea tunnel and three paired roads project, whether both projects were under one agreement or a package, or otherwise.
“Prior to this, I have made numerous applications in my capacity as the state Gerakan acting Youth chief and former law bureau chief, but have met obstacles in obtaining the document.
“However, this time around, I have applied as a Penangite, who is directly impacted by the project. I hope the state government will respect my request as a Penangite.
“Lim has said before that there is no necessity to reveal the documents of the project to unrelated parties, including Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai,” he said at Komtar yesterday.
The applications by Loo and Puvanitan, however, were not accepted by the reception officer, citing it was beyond his jurisdiction. The officer said any feedback could only be given in two weeks’ time.
Construction of the 7.2km undersea tunnel, linking Gurney Drive on the island and Bagan Ajam on the mainland, is expected to begin in 2023.
The controversial project has attracted a lot of attention after the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission detained several people to assist in its probe into the matter.