THE Penang DAP-led government has been urged not to practise “double standards” in handling the cases of China firm, Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) and Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC) in relation to the controversial RM63 billion Penang Undersea Tunnel project.

Penang Gerakan vice-president Lee Boon Ten said the state government had dropped BUCG from the construction of the undersea tunnel and three main expressways in 2016, following a fatal tower crane accident.

He questioned why the state government did not terminate the contract of CZC in view of the recent events and if terminated, whether the state would be able to recover the money and land paid as the cost of feasibility studies and detailed design of the project.

“Early this year, two businessmen were detained by MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) for allegedly receiving a total of RM22 million, to put an end to the MACC investigations on the case,” he told reporters in George Town today.

He said some news portals also reported the two men were issued demand letters by the special purpose vehicle (SPV) company in the undersea tunnel project, for “failing to execute their tasks”. 

The 7.2km project linking Persiaran Gurney to Bagan Ajam in Seberang Perai and three major roads was awarded to CZC.

Meanwhile, Penang Gerakan Youth acting chief Jason Loo has urged Lim Guan Eng to explain a photo of him taken with a businessman believed to be investigated by the MACC, which went viral on social media.

“We have a photo of Lim taken with the businessman, who was investigated by MACC. We hope he (Lim) can clarify the identity of the person in the photo, his relationship with the man and when it was taken,” he said. – Bernama, March 10, 2018.