A group of disgruntled Penangites have resorted to lodging a police report against the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) for allegedly wasting funds by renting an office space for RM70,000 a month since March last year.

Group spokesperson Zainudin Jaafar said that as PBAPP consumers, it is the people's right to question where the money is channelled.

"We hope the police will investigate this matter thoroughly," said Zainudin, who went to the police beat base in Komtar with some 20 other dissatisfied people.

Also present was 1Malaysia Brothers chairman Khoo Boo Eam, who said that PBAPP should not waste the people's money by renting the space and not utilising it.

"If they (PBAPP) have been renting it since March, then more than RM800,000 have been wasted," said Khoo.

The group then proceeded to the state Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters in Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah to lodge another report.

NONE Penang MACC director M Samarajoo confirmed receiving the report. "We will conduct the necessary investigations," said Samarajoo.

The issue came to light after it was reported by a local news station (Buletin Utama - TV3).

In the bulletin, state Umno deputy chief Musa Sheikh Fadzir ( left ) had questioned the rationale behind PBAPP's decision to rent the space for almost a year despite not using it.

"It is appalling that PBAPP has rented the empty office space for almost a year at a fee of RM70,000 a month. "This means that almost RM1 million of PBAPP's and the people's money was wasted," Musa said.

It is believed that the office space, located on the fourth floor in Komtar, was rented by PBAPP from a private company.

It is also learnt that an open tender was called twice to choose the suitable contractor for the renovations but all bidders were rejected.

PBAPP general manager Jaseni Maidinsa could not be reached for comments.

- The Malay Mail