THE state technical consultant for the proposed Penang Undersea Tunnel project, HSSI Sdn Bhd, has reviewed the feasibility study report given by project delivery partner Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC).
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (PH-PadangKota) said the review has been forwarded to CZC last month (April).
“The company has to make the necessary amendments before the draft is finalised and approved by the state government.
“HSSI was appointed in 2014 to assess the claims and designs by CZC,” Chow replying to an oral question by Mohd Yusni Mat Piah (PAS-Penaga) during the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
Chow said the proposed Penang Undersea Tunnel project was in its ‘final stage’ of feasibility study.
“We have not made any payment to CZC for the tunnel’s feasibility study report as of now.
“We will only make the payment after the final draft is confirmed by the technical consultant and presented to us for approval,” Chow said.
Mohd Yusni had questioned the status of the undersea tunnel project and amount incurred so far.
He had also asked if the anti-graft agency was investigating the project and whether the project would be halted if any procedures were violated.
Chow, meanwhile, said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had launched an investigation into the project in the first quarter of last year.
“We have given our fullest cooperation to the Commission,” he said, adding the project was still ongoing, to date.
Chow said the state would take stern action against anyone who was found to violate the procedures of the undersea tunnel project.
On a separate note, Chow said the Penang government had introduced an incentive to assist school bus operators since 2016.
“A sum of RM600 is given to those who registered with the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) (formerly SPAD). The aim is to reduce the financial burden of school bus operators.
“A total of RM1,214,100 has been given out to the operators since 2016,” he said, replying to an oral question by Zulkifli Ibrahim (PH-Sungai Acheh).
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alvie Cheng