THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is engaging outside consultants to check the feasibility studies for the Penang undersea tunnel and highways project.

The RM6.3 billion mega project mooted by the opposition-controlled state government is currently under MACC investigation.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki said independent consultants were being engaged.

“We are in the process of engaging them to evaluate the value of the feasibility studies.

“For a case involving many technical issues, it will take us time to investigate. 

“We may also have to call back witnesses. So far, we have talked to 127 witnesses. It is routine to have to recall witnesses for further statements,” he told a press conference in Penang today. 

It was reported that the overall feasibility study cost for the tunnel and three highways is RM305 million.

The state government had said it had paid only RM208 million via a land swap for the completion of the feasibility studies and detailed designs for the highways. 

It had said no payment had been made for the tunnel’s yet-to-be-completed feasibility study.

Since MACC began investigating the project early last month, it has remanded directors and consultants of companies involved in the project, including from Consortium Zenith Constructions Sdn Bhd, which won the open tender to undertake the building of the mega structures. 

Earlier this month, the anti-graft agency had called up state public works exco Lim Hock Seng and Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy to record their statements in relation to the project. 

Azam said for the time being, there was no need to interview Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

“I cannot reveal (who else we will call later), as we are still looking at the evidence. For now, there is no need to talk to the chief minister.”

Asked about another high-profile MACC case in Penang – the Sg Lembu illegal carbon filter factory – he said the agency was waiting for the prosecution unit to decide on the case.

“We wrapped up our investigations a long time ago. We have forwarded our report to our prosecution unit.

“They have yet to make any decision on the case.”

The illegal factory, located in an oil palm plantation in Sg Lembu, Penanti, had been operating for more than 10 years, burning sawdust in pits to make carbon.

It was reported that residents had been complaining about the factory since 2008.

On August 10 last year, the factory was raided by federal authorities. The following day, MACC arrested Penang environment exco Phee Boon Poh, and the factory’s manager and director.

They were released on August 14.

MACC investigated Phee for allegedly using his position for gratification. 

Earlier, Azam attended the nationwide launch of MACC’s Sahabat Cilik programme and the agency’s mascot, “Commissioner DZ”, by chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad at SK Hashim Awang in Kepala Batas.

The Sahabat Cilik programme is aimed at educating primary schoolchildren on fighting and rejecting corruption. 

MACC will also register the children, with their parents’ consent, as the agency’s Sahabat Cilik. 

“MACC can arrest people every week, but that is a short-term solution,” Dzulkifli said in his speech at the event.

“The long-term solution in fighting corruption is to educate the new generation of Malaysians, who will make fighting graft a culture. They will hate and reject graft.” – February 27, 2018.