MACC: More arrests expected in undersea tunnel project probe
(The Star) – Several more individuals are expected to be arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over probe into the RM6.3 bil Penang undersea tunnel project.
“We will likely be making several more arrests following the raids in Penang,” MACC deputy chief commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki told reporters after attending a get together with taxi and car rental drivers in Kajang Monday (Jan 15).
He said so far, 21 individuals had their statements recorded while two directors with the title “Datuk” had their remand orders extended for another 5 days.
He said MACC’s probe would consider all aspects of the undersea tunnel deal which includes media reports that a fashion company was involved in the multi-billion ringgit project as a major shareholder.
The company is said to be part of the special vehicle consortium involving two large Chinese construction companies.
“We will investigate all matters including that which were raised in the media,” he said, adding that the investigations will focus on review of the land transaction deals.
Asked if Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng would be hauled up by the MACC, Azam said there was no need at the moment but this is dependent on the evidence gathered.
On Jan 9, MACC personnel raided the offices of four state government agencies – the Penang Public Works Department, Penang State Secretary, Penang Lands and Mines Department and Penang
Valuation and Property Services Department – and three property development and construction firms believed to be related to the case.
Several more raids were carried out on Monday.
The project involves a plan to bore a 6.5km tunnel below the seabed to connect north Butterworth and the island.
The tunnel is to connect Bagan Ajam, a mature suburb about 5km from the Butterworth ferry terminal to the end of Gurney Drive near the Pangkor Road junction on the island.
Connected to the project are three paired roads to be built on the island as a traffic dispersal system to cope with the traffic that the tunnel would bring to Gurney Drive, which is already densely developed.
The three paired roads are from Teluk Bahang to Tanjung Bungah, from Pangkor Road to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway and from Air Itam to the expressway near the Penang Bridge.
