MACC receives new evidence on Penang undersea tunnel project

PUTRAJAYA: Parti Cinta Malaysia ( PCM) yesterday lodged a report and gave new evidence on the Penang undersea tunnel project to the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission ( MACC).

Its vice-president, Datuk Huan Cheng Guan urged the MACC to investigate whether there were elements of misconduct or corruption in the bidding for the controversial project costing RM15 billion.

“We received new evidence from certain sources and handed it over to the MACC. Let them investigate in a transparent manner,” he told reporters when met at the MACC headquarters here, yesterday.

It is the second report lodged by Huan. The first report to the MACC was on July 21, 2017.

On July 17, 2017, he lodged a police report in Penang and urged them to investigate allegations the state government awarded the undersea tunnel project to a company with capital below the required level.

Yesterday, Huan handed over several documents and evidence that the state government had allowed Penang Tunnel Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) company to pre- sell state land rights worth RM3 billion although the construction of roads were four years late. He claimed the state government violated the procurement guidelines when granting the mega project to a company which raised concerns of the auditor since its paid- up capital was 1,900 times below the minimum requirement of the Public Works Department.

The 7.2 km undersea tunnel project connecting Persiaran Gurney to Bagan Ajam in Seberang Perai and the three main roads pioject were awarded to Konsortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd.

Concerns were raised over the high cost of feasibility studies and payment methods involving the exchange of state land and led to protests from locals who fear the project’s impact on the socio economy and the environment. — Bernama