Papers linked to projects seized

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) officers have seized documents linked to the Multi-Product Pipeline (MPP), Trans-Sabah Gas Pipeline (TSGP) and East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) projects in raids at 13 locations in Klang Valley yesterday.

Sources said 50 MACC investigators were involved in the raids at several offices linked to the projects.

The raids began at 10am and took several hours.

MACC Investigations director Datuk Simi Abd Ghani confirmed the raids but declined to elaborate.

“Yes, we have conducted several raids. An official statement will be released in due time,” he said.

On July 5, the Finance Ministry suspended the services of Suria Synergy Energy Resources Sdn Bhd (SSER), which had been given the mandate to carry out the MPP and TSGP projects, worth a combined value of RM9.4 billion.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the two projects had been awarded to China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau on Nov 1, 2016.

SSER was said to have already paid RM8.3 billion, or 88 per cent of construction costs, even though only 13 per cent of work had been completed.

The ECRL project, which links Port Klang to Pengkalan Kubor in Kelantan, was approved by the previous cabinet in 2016 and awarded to China Communications Construction Company.

The estimated cost of the project, including interests on loans, is RM81 billion.

After getting the views of the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had, on July 3, ordered the Finance Ministry through Minister of Finance, Incorporated, to suspend all three projects.