Guan Eng, Teng threaten to sue each other

GEORGE TOWN: The contentious RM6.3 billion proposed undersea tunnel which has seen much dispute in the past two weeks may now go to court as Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) chairperson Teng Chang Yeow have threatened to file defamation suits against each other.
The underlining theme here was that both have accused the other of lying over the cross-channel project which was mooted in 2012.
In press conferences held one hour apart today (Jan 18), Teng said that this would be the first time that he harboured intentions to take a politician to court although he has another legal matter with Lim concerning claims over a project in Pulau Jerejak.
Lim is suing him for libel in that suit.
Teng has instructed the BN legal officers to gather evidence that Lim had defamed him.
He said that nothing would deter him from speaking out in the best interests of the people here.
Lim took up the challenge, saying he too would be considering the matter after he accused Teng of blatantly lying about the undersea tunnel project.
Amid this furore between the two Johor - born politicians, who have now come to call Penang as their adopted home, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is currently investigating the undersea tunnel, namely on grounds of why such a huge sum was exchanged for the undertaking of a feasibility study for the tunnel project.
The feasibility study in question has yet to be completed.
It was reported that Lim had alleged that 92% of the study was completed.
Two "Datuks", who are respective managing directors of their companies have been remanded by MACC to facilitate investigations into the project.
Teng and Lim's spat concerns a couple of accusations - one was that reclaimed land was sold to the tunnel's project delivery partner - Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd without any land being reclaimed yet, hence no land grant was issued.
Then, it was over Lim's remark that not a single sen was paid to the consortium that won the bid to build the tunnel.
To this, Teng said that some RM208 million was paid to the consortium via land swaps and it was also indicative of a reply that state executive councillor Lim Hock Seng told the state assembly legislative sitting last Nov.
Former PKR assemblyperson Jason Ong Khan Lee has urged both sides to not get carried away with the project, saying most residents here are not bothered about the issue.
"People are more concerned about the rise in living costs and whether jobs can be retained in this age of automation and globalisation."
Meanwhile, state Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng could not understand on why MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong kept harping on the undersea tunnel project issue.
He clarified to theSun that even Wee himself could be the main shareholder if he wants.
Such attack against the state on alleged discrepancies was uncalled for in response to Wee.
Lim further explained that certain quarters intended to sabotage this multi-billion ringgit project, adding they will continue to proceed on for public interest no matter what.
Lim, nonetheless, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is expected to address the issue.