CRCC is a contractor of Penang undersea tunnel project, Guan Eng retorts

GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (pix) has vehemently denied claims by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai that China Railway Construction Corporation Ltd (CRCC) was not a party to the proposed RM6.3 billion cross-channel undersea tunnel project.
Clutching an agreement which he said was legally binding, Lim insisted that the project, which has now turned controversial due to a stand-off between its lead critics – MCA and Gerakan with the state, had listed CRCC as the main contractor.
Lim also played a video clip of the agreement signing in 2013 where CRCC (International) Ltd Zhuo Lei, the under-signatory to the preliminary agreement was captured as saying that CRCC was a top 25 construction company in the world.
Also, Zhuo went on to espouse that the company was a construction specialist especially in areas of tunnelling with an average of 1,300km long tunnels constructed each year in view of the number of global projects that CRCC was involved in.
In a lengthy press conference, Lim exchanged sharp remarks with the media over the project, saying he has issued 10 points to dispute both Liow, who is the MCA president and his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong who have criticised the state over the project.
"I hope that Liow and MCA do not try to sabotage the project by causing anxiety to the main contractor (CRCC) and the consortium (Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd) with the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation and false information disclosed to the Barisan Nasional media," he said.
Lim said firstly Zenith Consortium, who won the open competitive tender to be the project delivery partner has a minimum paid-up capital of RM381 million at the time of the agreement's signing (in 2013).
He also said that the state government will hold CRCC to their contractual obligations and they will seek legal advice accordingly.
Later, Lim also stated that because of CRCC's commitment to be the main contractor with a paid up capital of USD$4.5 billion (RM18 billion), the project has continued to receive backing from several companies as well as the consortium.