Wee questions delays in Penang undersea tunnel prosecution, closure

MCA president Wee Ka Siong has questioned the lengthy delay in the closure and any possible prosecution stemming from multiple Penang undersea tunnel investigations being carried out since 2017.

He said despite the first of six investigation papers into the contentious multi-billion ringgit project being opened almost two years ago and despite the papers being either returned to the MACC or left with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), there has been no new development in the matter.

“That means the MACC and the AGC have yet to close any of the investigations or cases on the scandal.

“[...] Questions must be asked as to why the decision to prosecute or close the case is still not made despite investigations having been started over a year ago?

“What are the factors contributing to the AGC’s delay in making a decision?” Wee asked in a Facebook posting today.

He further pointed out that the MACC and police have yet to confirm or deny the veracity of purported leaked investigation documents published by blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin.

“The people deserve to know if the documents said to be leaked are legitimate or not as this scandal involves the use of people’s money in a mega project worth billions of ringgit,” Wee said.

The MACC had on Monday confirmed that it had opened six investigation papers on the RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel project, the first in July 2017, and subsequently five more in January 2018.

Five of the investigation papers were completed and referred to the AGC.

Of these, three were later returned to the MACC for further investigations, while two more are still being studied by the deputy public prosecutor.

The anti-graft body stated it was still conducting investigations based on one remaining investigation paper.

This was after Raja Petra published purported leaked investigation documents on his blog.

Five DAP leaders were implicated in these documents, including Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng and Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow, for allegedly receiving kickbacks from project contractor Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC).

The allegations were dismissed by Lim and CZC senior executive Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli as "ridiculous lies" and "pure fiction” respectively.

Chow, meanwhile, said he regretted the accusation and was mulling the best action to be taken against the blogger.