Unfair to sue critics of Penang undersea tunnel project, Umno leader says

GEORGE TOWN, June 13 — It is unfair for the Penang state government and the undersea tunnel contractor, Consortium Zenith BUCG, to sue those who questioned the RM6.3 billion project, said Umno’s Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman.

The Penang Federal Action Council chairman and state Umno liaison committee chairman said the state government should be responding to all questions regarding the massive infrastructure project in a transparent manner.

He also urged the Penang state government to respond to all questions raised especially by Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan and Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

Zainal Abidin expressed his surprise at Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s sudden proposal to build a “third bridge” to link Gurney Drive to Bagan Ajam especially after Lim had defended the proposed undersea tunnel project.

“Why did the state government suddenly changed its mind about the undersea tunnel? Is it because the feasibility study that is 83 per cent complete now has revealed that it is not feasible?” he asked in a statement issued today.

The Umno man demanded Penang explain what kind of compensation would be needed if the project was cancelled.

“The Penang state government must explain the status of 110 acres of land that was swapped to Zenith BUCG as payment for the undersea tunnel and three paired roads if the project was cancelled,” he said.

He demanded to know if reclaimed land at Seri Tanjung Pinang 2 and the coast of Gurney Drive will be used as “payment” for the “third bridge”.

“Will Consortium Zenith BUCG be given the contract to build the third bridge as compensation for the cancellation of the undersea tunnel if the bridge proposal was approved by the federal government?” he asked.

The proposed undersea tunnel and three paired roads are part of the proposed RM27 billion Penang Transport Master Plan and Southern Penang Reclamation project.

The projects, all projected to resolve traffic woes in the state along with spurring the state’s economy, have been criticised by non-governmental organisations and political opponents.