Three paired highways, cross-channel undersea tunnel to proceed

GEORGE TOWN: The proposed three paired highways and a cross-channel undersea tunnel will proceed as planned despite the probe by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on its delivery partner.
Project delivery partner Consortium Zenith Sdn Bhd's senior executive director Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli (pix) claimed the MACC's investigations were mostly politically motivated, and the company was caught up in a web of deceit.
"They put a gun to my head. What am I supposed to do," he asked in a media briefing.
He did not elaborate who were the parties which had held him indirectly hostage to the project's proceedings.
Zarul said that he expects MACC to take action against the culprits over the RM22 million bribe allegations which had engulfed the company earlier this year.
He claimed that he was placed under duress and had to fork out money to the previous administration.
Zarul also said that he had explained in full to the state government and the matter has been accepted and cleared by them.
Besides the tunnel which links Bagan Ajam with Gurney Drive here, the three paired-highway roads, have a combined length of 21.2km.
The first connects Air Itam to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, while the second highway from Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang would start upon completion of the first highway.
The construction of the third highway, from Gurney Drive to the same expressway begins after the first two highways are completed.
Zenith had earlier held a Hari Raya Adil Fitri's open house celebrations at the G-Hotel which was graced by the Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Dr Abdul Rahman Abbas and his consort Toh Puan Majimor Shariff.
Zarul said that the three paired highways road packages should begin soon with construction for the first one from Air Itam, slated to begin by early next year.
"We have received approval on the Detailed Environment Impact Assessment (DEIA) and we have to sort out 59 issues raised. We also have the land acquisition aspects."