KUALA LUMPUR: A ‘DATUK SERI’ is the latest person to be arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in the probe into the Penang undersea tunnel project.
Sources said the 37-year-old businessman was paid RM19 million to “cover up” the commission’s investigation into the controversial RM6.3 billion mega infrastructure project.
The suspect allegedly approached the construction company linked to the project and convinced it that he was able to “settle” the case with MACC.
“The suspect had thrown in the names of several political figures to convince the contractor that he would be able to ‘close’ the file on the investigation. He had also claimed that these political figures could have ‘a word’ with the MACC,” said the source.
The company agreed, and paid RM19 million in stages in July and August last year to the VIP.
“The RM19 million was already completely paid out. The first payment amounted to RM2 million, and was made at the suspect’s house in July.
“The second payment of RM15 million was paid out to a company in the same month, while the third and final payment was made in August last year.”
The suspect was arrested at MACC’s headquarters in Putrajaya at 4pm yesterday. He will be remanded today.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki confirmed the arrest but declined to comment.
The arrest was confirmed by MACC Investigation Department senior director Datuk Simi Abd Ghani, who said investigators were in the process of gathering evidence.
The latest arrest brings the number of people arrested by MACC to five. Prior to this, another Datuk Seri, two Datuks and a female engineering consultant had been detained to assist in investigations.
The DAP-led state government mooted the mega project, which comprised an undersea tunnel linking the island to the mainland, as well as the construction of three paired roads, as a solution to the island’s traffic woes.
However, the project had sparked controversy in recent months, especially on the high RM305 million cost for the feasibility studies, as well as the 22-month delay in completing them.
MACC’s investigations into the matter had discovered the possibility of several politicians receiving a significant amount of money during the approval process for the feasibility studies.
In another development, Azam said MACC was engaging independent consultants to investigate the feasibility studies. This, he said, was because there were many technical issues involved.
Azam said, to date, MACC had recorded statements from 127 witnesses. He said there was also no need yet to summon Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to give his statement on the matter.