Works Minister S Samy Vellu must explain why RM20 million is needed to repair the damaged Middle Ring Road II (MRR2) in Kuala Lumpur, said Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang today.

In a statement, he said an explanation is needed because the cracks which have appeared on the flyover are not the result of faulty designing.

Lim quoted an experienced civil and structural engineer Ng Boon Jieh, who has built more than 200 bridges in the past 40 years, as saying that such an exorbitant sum is not needed to repair or reinforce the bridge if there are no problems with the design.

"Can Samy Vellu explain why the RM20 million repair cost is commensurate with structural failures resulting from design flaws when he had stubbornly maintained that the cracks are not the result of design failure and even threatening on behalf of the consultants that defamation proceedings could be instituted for such allegations.

"Are we seeing a case where the repair costs are equivalent to design flaws although the causes are not structural as maintained by Samy Vellu?" he asked.

Lim, who is also DAP chairperson, claimed that there could be someone who is trying to make a profit out of this.

Unreasonable demand

He also urged Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to name those responsible for the closure of the bridge, which should have lasted for 50 years.

He said the premier should also inform the public whether the cabinet would decide on immediate repair works so that the bridge can be re-opened as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Lim said there is no justification for the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to demand that repair works are not carried out until it has completed its investigation into the matter.

"The unreasonable demand imposes hardships on thousands of people affected, especially when ACA can take months if not years to complete its investigations," he added.