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Consultant held over Penang tunnel probe freed on bail

The Magistrate's Court in Putrajaya today freed a consultant who was remanded since Wednesday to assist the MACC probe into a road and undersea tunnel project in Penang.

Magistrate Nik Muhammad Azrin Hafiz Nik Mahmood ordered that the 50-year-old woman be released on bail of RM208,000 with one surety.

The senior consultant of a company responsible for the undersea tunnel project was arrested on Jan 23 when giving a statement at the MACC’s Penang office here and remanded for five days from Jan 24.

The media quoting MACC sources said the woman was believed to be involved in the preparation of documents for making fraudulent claims for the feasibility study of three main roads and an undersea tunnel in Penang worth about RM305 million to the state government.

She was among four individuals detained by the MACC so far to facilitate investigations into the case under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki on Monday reported that the commission had recorded statements from 76 witnesses.

The project for the 7.2-kilometre undersea tunnel connecting Gurney Drive in Penang island and Bagan Ajam on the mainland and three paired roads, were awarded to Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd, which comprises a number of companies.

Before this, the project was bugged by various controversies, such as the cost of its feasibility studies, payment methods involving the exchange of state government land, as well as objections from residents who were worried about its economic, social and environmental impact.

- Bernama

READ
KiniGuide: Understanding the Penang undersea tunnel project

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