Wee Surprised By Chow S Statement Clearing Firm In Tunnel Probe

---

(The Star) – MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong is surprised that Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has cleared the company involved in the Penang undersea tunnel project of any wrongdoing.
“This is strange. It’s the first statement that cleared the contractor of any impropriety.
“I thought the statement should have come from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). But it came from the chief minister.
“Since when does MACC have to discreetly report to the chief minister and authorise him to reveal the investigation outcome?
On Wednesday, Chow told the press that MACC had sent two letters – one to Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC) and another to its senior executive director Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli – that no further action would be taken against them.CZC is the main contractor for the massive RM6.3bil undersea tunnel project.
It was reported that MACC lodged a police report over leaked investigation papers in relation to the case involving the project.
Political blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, in a series of articles posted on his blog, wrote an expose based on the leaked documents.
He alleged that several Penang state exco members were implicated in the MACC probe into the project.
Dr Wee said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohamed Hanipa Maidin admitted that MACC had lodged a police report on Feb 28 over the alleged leaked documents.
“Why is the chief minister being perceived as ‘siding’ with the project contractor? Who knows the reason?” he asked.
The 7.2km undersea tunnel is part of the RM6.3 billion project, which includes three paired roads.
Dr Wee said he was made to understand that MACC had opened six investigation papers on the project.
He said the first investigation paper was opened in July 2017 while five more were launched in January last year.
“Five investigation papers were completed and referred to the DPP.
“MACC said three investigation papers were returned to it for further investigation while two others remain with the Attorney-General’s Chamber,” he said.
On Tuesday, the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism called on Chow to place a moratorium on the state government’s agreement with CZC pending MACC’s investigation.
 

---