MACC interviews CM over Penang undersea tunnel project

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow spent more than four hours being interviewed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the Penang undersea tunnel project.

He even had to skip an event that was scheduled to start at 11am yesterday.

He arrived at the state MACC building in Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah here at 8.55am, before leaving the building at about 1.15pm in his official car accompanied by his bodyguard.

Speaking to reporters later, Chow said he gave his statement since 9am, adding that the focus of the interview was mainly on the undersea tunnel project.

“During the interview, they also focused on the verification of the state exco meeting decision on the project,” he said.

“And for about one and a half hours, they asked about my education background and my portfolio’s jurisdictions as a state exco member. I had to type out my statement myself and it took quite a long time.”

Chow said no documents were taken from him during the interview.

Asked whether he would be summoned again by the anti-graft agency, Chow said he would not be called again.

On Monday, three state executive councillors had their statements recorded by the MACC over the Penang undersea tunnel project.

They were state Housing, Town, Country Planning and Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo, Women, Family Development and Gender Inclusiveness Committee chairman Chong Eng, and Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh.

Last Friday, MACC officers visited the offices of state Public Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari and Deputy Chief Minister ll Dr P. Ramasamy on the 52nd floor of Komtar.

It was believed that Ramasamy was interviewed by the officers while Zairil was not in the office.

On July 1, Chow said the state government had received a letter from the MACC to interview several state executive councillors and leaders regarding the undersea tunnel issue.

Former Penang Port Commission chairman Jeffrey Chew was previously remanded for four days from July 1 to 4 to facilitate investigations into the case. He has since been released from remand.