Guan Eng accuses MACC of leaking info on probe into tunnel project
Guan Eng does not regard leaked info on the Penang undersea tunnel as whistleblowing like the leaked info on 1MDB
(FMT) – Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today questioned why the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was “leaking information” on its probe into the proposed undersea tunnel- main roads project.
In a press conference today, Lim said he was surprised to hear from a reporter that the anti-graft body was leaking information.
“That is the problem. Where is the source? Is the source from MACC? MACC must explain why it is leaking information. Since the reporter says the source comes from MACC, I want MACC to answer.
“What are you doing leaking information? Isn’t that against the law? What are you doing, when you are supposed to take action against those who leak information, and yet you are behind it.
“MACC must explain,” he said in a press conference today.
Lim had previously urged MACC to take action over leaked details of a probe into the project in Barisan Nasional-controlled newspapers.
He said he was “surprised” that MACC is keeping mum on the issue when investigation matters are supposedly confidential and given statutory protection to prevent prejudiced investigations.
He said BN media, such as The Star, Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia, continued to run unverified stories quoting sources from MACC, despite failing to show proof of their claims.
Lim said to avoid the perception of double standards, MACC should take action against newspapers which published “source” stories.
The RM6.3 billion infrastructure project came under renewed scrutiny following a fresh probe by MACC.
The 7.2km undersea tunnel will connect George Town’s Pangkor Road and Bagan Ajam in Butterworth. It is scheduled to begin in 2023.
The “three main roads” (formerly three paired roads) stretch from Air Itam to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (5.7km), Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang (10.53km), and Jalan Pangkor-Gurney Drive junction to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (4.1km).
It was reported yesterday that MACC arrested the chairman of an engineering consultancy firm, with the title Datuk Seri, to assist in the investigation into alleged corruption in the construction of the Penang undersea tunnel project.
Two days ago, MACC had also arrested a female engineering consultant in a Kuala Lumpur-based company to assist in the investigations and she has been remanded for five days beginning today.
On Jan 19, two individuals with the title “Datuk”, who were remanded for six days to facilitate investigations into the same case, were released on bail.
