Penang Undersea Tunnel deal under investigation
The Malaysian-Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) probe into the controversial Penang undersea tunnel is focused on land swaps that were made for the feasibility and detailed design study which has yet to be completed.
Sources said investigators are scouring documents involving two plots of land – Lot 702 and Lot 713 in Bandar Tanjung Pinang – with a size of 1.48ha and 2.31ha respectively.
The value of Lot 702 is around RM135mil while Lot 713 is around RM160mil.
It is learnt that both parcels of land have since been mortgaged to banks to obtain financing. The state government has also authorised planning permission on both parcels of lands.
An artist’s impression showing where the tunnel project will start on the island.
“It has become an issue on why the study cost was inflated so much when it should have been an estimated RM60mil,” sources said, adding that determining the inflation and the reason behind it were among the challenges faced by the investigating team.
The sources also said that the graft-busters have their sights targeted on “somebody” who has been enjoying kickbacks and entertainment from the deal.
The feasibility and detailed design study is for the 7.2km undersea tunnel connecting Gurney Drive on the island to Bagan Ajam in Seberang Perai.
It is part of the RM6.3bil mega project comprising a 10.53km North Coastal Paired Road (NCPR) from Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang, the 5.7km Air Itam–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass and the 4.075km Gurney Drive–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass.
Read more: TheStar.com.my
A laughing stock at its best ! Keep talking but nothing has been done even after 5 years ?
What a shame!
If 1mdb project, no question ask lo…
There is no project under 1mdb which was awarded close to five years ago but no result to date. The penang tunnel will be a record holder for incompetence.
Not to mention about money being paid, but no result at all.
peanut lar compare to 1mdb , no big deal…
Playing politics needing funding and where you got those $ from? At the end of the day, some of these $ goes back to people. As long the people’s choice is working hard for the sake of country and people. Know you all hate the evil politician but the fact is there is greater evil politician and lesser evil politician. There is no clean politician out there
Penang need Move Forword…
Penang gov not pay FD $$$$ ….
1MDB is peanut compared to this…
As usual the cart before the horse! Please get the bypass road working before giving access to more people to come to Penang, most of which will be visiting Batu Ferringhi. Any small[or large] mishap on the existing road results in a nightmare. Whoever is in charge please GET YOUR PRIORITIES IN THE CORRECT ORDER, JUST DO IT!
a lot of accusations, details here and there, suspects here and there, but is there any more solid “verified” evident so far? it sound like “building up” negative perception to the people with tons of “unverified” accusations for political benefit of some one.
We will just have to let it go through it’s due process before jumping to any conclusion, and if there’s any wrongdoings, hopefully it’s still not too late to recover all that’s been plundered from the people of penang. The money could definitely be better used to improve public transport instead of wasting it on a silly and expensive tunnel.
Islander cant swim, thats y need tunnel