We have taken note of the fact that Malaysiakini posted a letter on Feb 15 by blogger Ong Eu Soon questioning the status of the feasibility study conducted by Consortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd as a mandated part of the RM6.34 billion Penang Undersea Tunnel project, inclusive of three connecting highways.
Ong has seen it fit to comment on the status of the project without verifying nor authenticating the actual facts without a proper understanding of the Feasibility Study and Detailed Design works process.
We feel that these are personal opinions as Ong in question has failed to seek responses from the authorised parties that are involved in the project. lt is evident that these personal views are beyond his scope of competence and knowledge.
To put things in proper perspective, let me confirm that the sum of RM305 million granted by the state government is not only for the feasibility study and the detailed design (FSDD) works for the undersea tunnel, but also for the three major highways, bypasses and connected infrastructure works.
Appended below are the timelines for the feasibility study and preliminary detailed design of the major roads project and the third link in Penang.
Phase 1A is the three major roads:
- Sub-package 1: Cadangan jalan berkembar Jalan Tanjung Bungah-Teluk Bahang
- Sub-package 2: Lebuhraya Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu-Bandar Baru Air ltam bypass
- Sub-package 3: Gurney Drive-Lebuhraya Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu bypass
- Sub-package 4: Penang-Butterworth tunnel
- Date of agreement: Oct 29, 2013
- Date of commencement of FSDD: Nov 4, 2013
- Work done between November 2013 and January 2014: The Consortium is only doing the feasibility study on the highways, including physical work, i.e. site surveying soil tests, public forums
- Current status: The consortium is in the midst of continuing the feasibility study for the highways
- Work to be done commencing March 2014: Second phase of feasibility study and commencement of design work
The consortium is working in collaboration with China Railway Construction Corporation lnternational (CRCC) and Beijing Urban Construction Group. The China state-owned multinational is assigned to work on detailed project design, and engineering, materials procurement and construction of the tunnel and expressways.
The consortium has appointed 17 consultants under the management and supervision of the principal consultant, Jurutera Konsult Maju Sdn Bhd (JKM). JKM's team of specialist consultants include Meinhardt lnternational for structural and geotechnical consultancy services and Angkasa Consulting Sdn Bhd for coastal and hydraulic engineering.
There are other specialist teams engaged in conducting the feasibility studies covering traffic, socio-economic conditions, environmental, quantity surveyor for costing, and engineering ranging from alignment, geometry and geotechnical, mechanical and electrical services, safety concepts, fire protection, tunnel lighting, tunnel monitoring and control system (Scad).
It is the collective view of the company and the consultants that Ong's ‘article’ is defamatory to the project as well as to the state of Penang. The article in question, and other similar articles written by him, has defamed the consortium's reputation to the extent that its credibility, business integrity, and public goodwill have been unduly impaired.
We are currently seeking legal advice to take appropriate action against Ong. We will pursue this course of action separately.
The fact that Malaysiakini published the ‘article’ by Ong without checking the facts with the parties concerned goes against prescribed editorial standards.
IBRAHIM SAHARI is the president of Consortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd.
