More to be called up over Penang undersea tunnel project


Asked if further arrests could be made soon, involving high-ranking officials, the source replied in the negative.

(NST) – THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has not ruled out the possibility of calling more key figures to have their statements recorded in connection with the controversial Penang Undersea Tunnel project.

A source familiar with the investigation told the New Straits Times that the probe had progressed well so far.

The source believed the MACC could wrap up investigations within weeks, as announced.

“We do not rule out calling more (VVIPs) to be questioned. The investigation is still ongoing.

“Six more individuals will appear at the Penang MACC office here today (yesterday) to have their statements recorded as well,” the source added, without confirming the identities of the six people.

The source also said the six were involved in the overall project and not specifically involved in the tender process for the undersea tunnel project.

Asked if further arrests could be made soon, involving high-ranking officials, the source replied in the negative.

“It is still too early to confirm.”

Up to Tuesday, important state government personnel, including Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, had their statements recorded.

Last Wednesday, the NST reported that the MACC had re-launched a probe into the project following new evidence which it had received.

Sources close to the investigation told NST that more witnesses from the Penang government would be called in to assist in the probe.

A high-ranking official of the Penang Port Commission was the latest to be arrested. He has since been released.

The project had courted controversy in the past, especially for its RM305 million feasibility studies, as well as the nearly two-year delay in its completion.

The ambitious project consists of four components, including three road projects over 30km and an undersea tunnel, costing an estimated RM6.3 billion in total.

Last week, MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki had said the investigation into the controversial project was never closed, but slowed down since March due to the Movement Control Order as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last March, blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin had named several Penang DAP leaders and state government officials who he alleged were involved in corrupt practices in the project.

He claimed he was given a 200-page document by an individual at MACC, and that he would produce extracts of its contents in several instalments online to expose the matter.

MACC had in turn lodged a police report over claims made by Raja Petra in relation to the project.

In April last year, a businessman who was implicated in a scandal related to the tunnel project was slapped with 68 money-laundering charges involving RM11.4 million.



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