EX-PORT COMMISSION HEAD REMANDED
Jeffrey Chew detained by MACC over probe into Penang undersea tunnel project
FORMER Penang Port Commission chairman Jeffrey Chew, who was detained on Tuesday by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), has been remanded for four days to assist a probe into the multi-billion ringgit Penang undersea tunnel project.
Investigators yesterday asked for a seven-day remand order, but Chew’s legal team, which included RSN Rayer, Ram Karpal Singh and Gobind Singh Deo, had objected.
Rayer said the magistrate’s court senior assistant registrar Nur Fadrina Zulkhairi granted the remand for four days until Saturday.
Earlier in the day, newsmen gathered near the George Town Court Complex to stand by for the remand procedure. However, they later learnt that it would take place at the Bayan Baru central lockup instead.
Chew, former Penang DAP assistant treasurer, was brought to the location at 1.45pm in a heavily-tinted vehicle.
His supporters, holding placards and banners in solidarity with the detainee, were seen gathering outside the venue as early as 1pm.
After the remand process ended, he was taken away in the same vehicle at 4pm.
Rayer, when asked by reporters, said he could not disclose any details of the case as it was under investigation.
“The investigation is related to a report made recently.”
Asked if the report was made against Chew, he responded: “Not exactly against him but there was a report made.”
He declined to disclose further details, including under which section the case is being investigated.
It was reported that MACC had reopened its probe into the Penang undersea tunnel project following new evidence it had received on the matter.
Sources had indicated that Chew’s arrest would see more people from the state government being summoned by the commission to aid in the probe, and possibly more arrests.
The Penang government has since pledged to extend its full cooperation to the MACC.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said they were unaware of the details concerning Chew’s arrest, only that it is related to the project.
“We received a letter from the MACC stating that they are looking to interview several state administration leaders. Our stance is to extend our full cooperation.
“A previous investigation was completed, so we are unsure what this new investigation is about.
“We will leave it to the MACC to investigate,” he told a press conference at the St Giles Wembley Hotel here yesterday.
He said the MACC stated that it wished only to interview personalities who held office in the previous term.
The Penang undersea tunnel project, an ambitious RM6.3 billion venture consisting of three paired-road projects and an undersea tunnel, had in the past attracted controversy due to its delayed implementation.
Critics had questioned the RM305 million spent on the project’s feasibility studies.
In April last year, a businessman linked to the project was slapped with 68 money-laundering charges involving RM11.4 million.
On the MACC’s letter on the investigation related to the managing director of Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli and the company, Chow said the investigation had been completed at that time.