KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 — The DAP-led Penang government under the leadership of Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng must give an explanation as to why feasibility studies for three related roads cost RM31 million, while the more complicated and riskier Undersea Tunnel Project is RM20 million.
Barisan Nasional Strategic Communications director Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the cost for the three feasibility studies, detailed design and environmental impact assessment (EIA) totalling RM305 million was still an expensive figure for studies.
“I take note that the Penang government has not indicated that it will engage with the works ministry which had offered to help them (state government) reduce their cost and ensure project timeliness, which I highly recommend the Penang government to consider,” he said in a statement here today.
Abdul Rahman also wanted to know why the same company awarded to construct the project, was also responsible in carrying out the studies to determine whether their own project was feasible or environmentally acceptable.
“Is this a conflict of interest?” he asked.
On another note, Abdul Rahman, who is also housing and local government minister, was also perturbed by the Penang Government’s plan to set toll charges for the highways at the same rate as the second Penang Bridge on the “excuse” that the state government did not want the operator of the second bridge to incur losses.
“This is unacceptable because the toll rate for the second bridge was fixed on the basis that the operator will collect toll to pay for the maintenance of the bridge and to recoup its investment put in, to construct the bridge.
“However, the Penang Tunnel operator will be charging the same toll rate even though it does not need to recover their construction cost as the Penang government is fully paying for it,” he said. — Bernama
