The opposition turned up the heat on the sudden closure of the two-year-old Middle Ring Road II (MRRII) by calling on the government to reveal the findings of two international consultants which investigate the 33 cracks found in the pillars and beams of a flyover.

Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang said that there could be no public confidence on the repair works when the consultants have produced two differing findings, and that Malaysians still did not have the "full and proper picture" regarding the cracks.

The RM238.8 million MRRII project - awarded to the consortium of Sukmin Sdn Bhd, Bumihiway (M) Sdn Bhd and Konsortium Kontraktor Melayu - has come under close scrutiny since the 1.7 km flyover in Kepong, north of Kuala Lumpur, was closed for a three-month repair on Aug 8.

The government had ordered the closure of the stretch between the Taman Bukit Maluri and Forest Research Institute of Malaysia interchanges in the interests of public safety two months after the danger was initially detected.

According to Works Minister S Samy Vellu, the flyover project's contractors had engaged a consultant from Australia's Monash University, while the government had appointed a German consultant.

However, the recommendations of the two consultants differed, so a third independent consultant will now be appointed to determine the next course of action.

Gag on public debate?

In a press statement today, Lim also took the opportunity to chastise Samy Vellu for "trying to gag all public debate and discussion" on the flyover cracks after the minister had earlier allegedly threatened not to re-open the stretch if a graft probe was initiated against the project.

"An ACA investigation is not a justification for a clampdown and censorship of public debate," said Lim.

Samy Vellu had reportedly refused to make any further comment on the controversy because the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) was conducting a probe into the construction and management of the project.

Lim said he was disturbed by the minister's report to the cabinet on Wednesday that the RM20 million for the repair work could not be borne by the highway's contractor.

"It is most disturbing that Samy Vellu is acting as if he is the minister for Bumi Hiway, the main contractor for the MRRII, instead of being minister for 25 million Malaysians...," he fumed.

Pak Lah, break your silence

Lim urged Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to break his silence on the controversy and take action against Samy Vellu.

The opposition leader expressed concern that the overwhelming victory by the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition in the recent general election is "spawning a new round of arrogance and abuse of power".

"There is a growing attitude among BN leaders in power to regard their unprecedented general election victory as a mandate, and even a blank cheque, for all their actions, decisions and policies..."

Lim said this appeared to be accompanied by an "undemocratic and people-unfriendly 'take it or leave it' attitude".

"Abdullah must publicly overrule Samy Vellu by giving an assurance that the ACA investigation will not affect the government's commitment to re-open the stretch in the shortest possible time," said Lim.

Lim argued that Samy Vellu would "never dared to utter such threats under the previous prime minister".

"He should not be allowed to get away with it scot-free under Abdullah's premiership," he added.

Yesterday, Lim called for Samy Vellu to take responsibility for the road closure and resign as works minister .