Penang Federal Action Council chairman Zainal Abidin Osman has expressed surprise that Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng suggested a third bridge be built to link Gurney Drive and Bagan Ajam.

“Why the change of heart when he has vigorously defended the building of the undersea tunnel?” Zainal asked in a press statement today.

“Is it because the feasibility study - that is 83 percent completed - will show that the tunnel is not feasible?” 

The state Umno liaison chief was referring to the ongoing feasibility study on the tunnel project, which includes three highways across the island to ease traffic woes.

Zainal urged Lim to clarify whether the Penang government must compensate Consortium Zenith-BUCG (CZBUCG), which was awarded the tunnel project, or any other firms that had signed the agreement with the state, if the project was cancelled.

“Penang needs to explain the status of the 110 acres of land that was given to CZBUCG as payment to build the tunnel and three highways if the tunnel was cancelled,” Zainal said.

“Will the reclaimed land in Sri Tanjung Pinang 2 and Gurney Drive be used as payment for the third bridge?” 

“Will CZBUCG be given the contract to build the third bridge as compensation for cancelling the tunnel if the bridge plan gets the approval of the federal government?” he asked.

Lim had said Penang would submit to the federal government the original plan for the second bridge, which was proposed when S Samy Vellu was the works minister.

Lim had earlier said Penang was willing to cancel the tunnel project if the federal government was willing to approve the building of a third bridge in the northern post of the island.

The DAP secretary-general had said Penang would also submit the tunnel feasibility study to the federal government.

Zainal reminded him that the tunnel was also proposed during Samy Vellu’s tenure but the project was shelved.

“The Penang government should answer all the questions raised about the tunnel in a transparent manner without hiding or covering up any details or facts as the project involves the public's money and is of public importance,” Zainal said.

He said it was unfair for the Penang government to sue those who raised issues involving the tunnel and three highways across the island.

Zainal was referring to CZBUCG's decision to sue Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-president Huan Cheng Guan, who lodged two reports with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission over the tunnel issue.

CZBUCG chief Zarul Ahmad said Huan had made slanderous claims which have damaged his and the company’s reputation.