Penang undersea tunnel: Two ‘Datuks’ released on bail

PUTRAJAYA: Two individuals with the honorific title of ‘ Datuk’ who were detained by the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission ( MACC) to facilitate investigations into alleged corruption in the construction of the Penang undersea tunnel project were released on bail yesterday.

Magistrate Aida Kharuleen Azli ordered the 59-year- old senior executive director of a consortium company and the 50-year- old deputy chairman of a property development company be released on RM200,000 bail each.

On Jan 9, the duo were detained separately here and in Penang and remanded for six days from Jan 10 by Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court and George Town Magistrate’s Court. Their remand was later extended to five days, beginning Jan 15.

The arrest of the two men was made following MACC raids on several state government offices at Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak Complex ( Komtar), Penang and several companies pertaining to the investigation of the submarine tunnel construction project.

This followed a report lodged by Parti Cinta Malaysia ( PCM) vice- president Datuk Huan Cheng Guan.

MACC was also reported to have raided the Public Works Department in Sungai Pinang, Penang State Secretary’s office, Land and Mines office, and Valuation and Property Management Department at Komtar.

The 7.2km undersea tunnel project linking Persiaran Gurney to Bagan Ajam in Seberang Perai and three major roads was awarded to Consortium Zenith Construction, which consisted of several companies.

The project sparked controversy, such as excessive cost of the feasibility studies and the allegedly suspicious nature of payment in the state land takeover, besides objections from residents who were worried about its economic, social and environmental impacts. — Bernama