Gerakan slams Penang for refusing to come clean on undersea tunnel project

(Bernama) – Penang Gerakan today slammed the DAP-led state government because they refused to clarify conflicting statements on feasibility studies for the construction of an undersea tunnel.

State Gerakan Acting Youth chief, Jason Loo said the refusal of the state government, particularly Penang Public Works, Utility, Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng, clearly showed that they are hiding something about the mega project.

According to him, on Consortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd’s partner’s website, China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC), it was reported in 2013 that the feasibility study, including detailed design and environmental impact study for the undersea tunnel project and three major roads was only worth US$22 million (RM90 million).

“The state government has announced that the entire project’s feasibility study for the undersea tunnel and three major roads is RM305 million. So I want to ask the state government where is the remaining RM215 million?” he told reporters here today.

Consortium Zenith was awarded the project through a tender process in 2013, jointly with Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd, China Railway Construction Co Ltd, Beijing Urban Construction Group, Sri Tinggi Sdn Bhd and Juteras Sdn Bhd.

The undersea tunnel project will connect Jalan Pangkor on the island to Bagan Ajam in Seberang Prai and the three packages of highways are the Jalan Pesisir Pantai Utara (linking Tanjong Bungah and Teluk Bahang), bypass from Air Itam to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu

Expressway and bypass from Gurney Drive to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, valued at RM6.3 billion.