Tunnel project: Another Penang exco called by MACC

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Deputy Chief Minister Prof Dr P. Ramasamy was at the Penang Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office here today to give his statement relating to the state project involving three highways and an undersea tunnel.
Ramasamy, who is also the State Economic Planning, Education and Human Resources, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman, arrived at the MACC office at 8.20 am and was accompanied by his lawyer, Datuk Aljit Singh Jessy.
Ramasamy, when met by reporters, said he was instructed to be at the MACC office at 9 am today.
"It concerns the tunnel project, although I'm not directly involved with the project as it does not come under my portfolio.
"I'm called, perhaps in my capacity as the state executive council member, or my writings on the tunnel issue," he said.
Meanwhile, MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki, when contacted by Bernama, said Ramasamy was called to record his statement as a witness to facilitate investigation of the case.
Yesterday, state executive council member Lim Hock Seng was at the MACC office to give his statement on the matter.
Last Jan 5, Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) vice-president Datuk Huan Cheng Guan lodged a report and submitted allegedly new evidence regarding the RM15 billion undersea tunnel project to the MACC in Putrajaya for investigation into whether misconduct or corruption in the bid for the project had been committed.
Previously, the project had courted various controversies over the high cost of its feasibility studies, as well as the mode of payment allegedly through swapping of state government land, besides protests from residents concerning its economic, social and environmental impact. — Bernama