Tunnel probe: Businessman held
> Suspect allegedly accepted RM19m from project developer
PUTRAJAYA: A 37-year-old businessman was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday for allegedly accepting RM19 million from a developer to halt investigations into the controversial RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel project.
Sources said the suspect had allegedly claimed he was “connected” and could put an end into the investigations.
The suspect was held at the MACC headquarters here at about 3.50pm after being summoned by investigators.
It is learnt that he allegedly received the sum in staggered payments between July and August last year from the construction company undertaking the project.
MACC director of investigations Datuk Simi Abd Ghani said investigations are ongoing to gather more evidence and a remand order will be sought today to detain the suspect further.
Meanwhile in KEPALA BATAS, an independent consultant will be engaged to evaluate the feasibility study of the proposed undersea tunnel project, said MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki.
He said cases like the undersea tunnel involved many technical aspects and the investigation might take some time to be completed.
“Hence we are in the process of engaging technical consultants to help in our investigations,” he said at a press conference after the launch of the MACC Sahabat Cilik programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Hashim Awang yesterday.
He said so far 127 witnesses have been called to have their statements recorded, adding that more witnesses will be summoned. Azam did not rule out recalling witnesses who were previously summoned.
“It is a normal procedure that we might call them again,” he said, adding that at the moment, there is no need to call Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.