THE construction cost for the three major roads and an undersea tunnel has always been RM6.341 billion, stressed Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
“The amount had been reported numerous times and we have been consistent with regard to the stated figure, right until the latest master agreement signed on Aug 2 this year.
“The total cost is still RM6.341 billion. According to the agreement, the Consortium will receive 110 acres of reclaimed land as payment for its role in the entire project and the exchanged land is still valued at RM1,300 per square foot.
“The 30 years toll concession for the undersea tunnel is only applicable if the tunnel is built. If the tunnel is not built, the issue does not arise,” he told a press conference at his office today.
Chow was ‘amazed’ by the question posed by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, as reported by an English daily.
Chow read out the question that was reported: “Does the actual cost of the tunnel for the people really exceed RM20bil as I calculated last year?”
To this question, Chow replied: “Fantastic.”
“The total construction cost for the entire project is only RM6.341 billion. How can the construction cost of the tunnel alone be RM20 billion? What kind of calculator did he used to calculate? I don’t know.
“Each package has its own cost; and the construction cost of the tunnel is RM3.6 billion out of the total RM6.341 billion. That figure has also been reported previously.
“However, these figures are not good enough for Wee as he got his own figures. There are many parties who prefer to pluck figures from the air.
“I am also tired of answering the former Prime Minister. Unlike in the past when he had no time for Penang, he is ‘very free now’. He would criticise and question anything on the undersea tunnel based on ‘facts’ that are untrue,” Chow said.
Chow added that the feasibility of the undersea tunnel is scheduled to complete by end of September.
“We shall wait for the study to be completed before making further decision,” he said, replying to a question whether the state had considered changing the idea of having a tunnel to having a bridge.
Chow said the feasibility study would be a basis for the state to make further decision.
He also said that the construction agreement for Package Two of the three major roads and an undersea tunnel project is expected to be inked next month (in September).
“Package Two involves the construction of the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway-Bandar Baru Air Itam bypass.
“Construction works can only begin after the construction agreement is signed,” he said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud