CYBERJAYA: The Penang government has one week to explain alleged discrepancies involving its proposed undersea tunnel project, after latest figures suggested that the state overpaid the project’s consultation fees by a whopping 400 per cent.
Barisan Nasional strategic communications (BNSC) director Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the DAP-led government had allegedly paid four times higher than the gazetted scale of fees for consultation.
He said the Board of Engineers Malaysia had revealed the maximum amount under the gazetted scale of fees, which was calculated to be only about RM41 million, as opposed to the RM177.5 million paid.
In a letter to the BNSC, the Board said the Penang state government had overpaid by RM136.4 million.
“Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should clarify why they paid 400 per cent more for the detailed design of the project involving three main roads in the state.
“This question should be answered for the sake of the Penang people," he told a press conference today.
Abdul Rahman said if Lim's answer was unjustifiable or if he remained silent on the issue, the matter will be escalated to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission MACC) and the police after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
Meanwhile, Abdul Rahman also questioned the manner of the investigation carried out by the United States’ Department of Justice (DOJ) on 1Malaysia Development Bhd (IMDB) which he deemed was unusual.
“The language used in the investigation was very, very heavy handed and uncalled for, especially when Malaysia is gearing up for its general election,” he added.
Abdul Rahman said an online portal had quoted the DOJ as saying that it was still conducting investigations on a civil suit to seize assets allegedly acquired using misappropriated 1MDB funds.
“If so, why is DOJ making press statements before concluding the investigation?”