Julaihi ticks off Chong for baseless accusation
KUCHING: Assistant Minister of Coastal Road Datuk Julaihi Narawi takes state Pakatan Harapan chairman Chong Chieng Jen to task for urging Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission ( MACC) to investigate the award of the Coastal Road Project and second trunk road project .
Chong had claimed the coastal road project is estimated at RM5 billion, while the second trunk road at RM6 billion.
“The allegation made by Chong is absolutely baseless by his own admission.
“He admitted two important facts - that he does not have the official details of the projects and that the two projects are now still in the final stage of processing... so therefore, when things are not finalised yet, obviously you can’t conclude any pricing for both projects,” Julaihi said in a statement.
Julaihi wondered where Chong “pluck” the estimate for both projects, adding: “Maybe he got it from his consultant or conractor’s friends.
Julaihi said since Chong has lodge a report to MACC, then let the relevant authority take the necessary action.
“We will give full cooperation where appropriate and necessary,” he pointed out.
Julaihi, who is Sebuyau assemblyman further said that the Letters of Award ( LoA) relating to the two projects have not been issued yet to any company, adding that the ministry was still in the midst of finalising a few matters.
He explained that the two projects were part of the state’s initiatives to develop rural areas, especially towards the coastal areas.
“Rural connectivity is given the priority by the state government because it will open up the interior and coastal areas,which subsequently will uplift the socio- economy of the rural communities.
“I hope that Chong will not politicise the projects too much because it will further delay and deprive the rural folks of the much awaited and desired development,” Julaihi said.
Chong, who is Stampin MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman, was quoted to have said that there were no open tender for both projects, adding that the cost of both projects was over-priced.