Guan Eng says ‘impossible’ for politicians to get kickbacks
KUALA LUMPUR: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng asserted yesterday that an internal control mechanism in the controversial Penang undersea tunnel project makes it “impossible” for politicians and even government servants to receive kickbacks.
He pointed out that an Independent Checking Engineer (ICE) would have verified any payment in the form of cash or land swap relating to the project awarded through competitive open tender.
“To ensure that the entire project complies with CAT principles of competency, accountability and transparency, an Independent Checking Engineer (ICE) was appointed to provide another mechanism to protect the state government against any malpractices and misfeasance.
“This internal control mechanism appointing external independent professionals to recommend payment of either cash or land swap, makes it impossible for politicians or even government servants to solely decide on the quantum of payment and whether to pay or not to pay,” Lim who is also DAP secretarygeneral said in a statement.
The Bagan MP stressed that allegations of kickbacks received by Penang government leaders for the project can be “easily disproved” as “not a single cent” was paid for the RM 6.3 billion project.
“The award for the RM6.3 billion project comprising of the under-sea tunnel and three main highways was conducted through an open competitive tender under the Penang State Committee. Treasury Instructions issued under the 1957 Financial Procedures Act requires the Penang State Tender Committee to be chaired by the Penang State Secretary and comprising only government officials,” he added.
In a report yesterday, The Star daily cited unnamed sources from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) which is investigating the project for corruption as claimed that politicians in Penang had received kickbacks in awarding of the feasibility study of the project.
Lim criticised the MACC, which had previously arrested two “Datuks”, interviewed more than 10 people, and raided eight offices in the course the investigation, for allowing leaks of “false information” to the media.
“The simple question is this — where is the corruption when the entire project is conducted by open competitive tender granted by the Penang Tender Board?” he said.