Latest news with #underseaTunnel
Free Malaysia Today
27-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Witness hopes Guan Eng will be acquitted in undersea tunnel graft case
Businessman Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli previously testified that he had given a truthful account to MACC officers during their investigation. (Facebook pic) KUALA LUMPUR : A key witness in Lim Guan Eng's corruption trial told the sessions court today that he hoped the former Penang chief minister would be acquitted of the graft charges related to the undersea tunnel project. Businessman Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli, who said he felt 'indebted' to Lim for helping him secure the project, admitted that he had tried to shield the politician from investigation. 'I didn't want any of the evidence obtained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) during its probe to be presented in court,' Zarul told the court. Earlier this month, Zarul testified that he had given a truthful account to MACC officers during their investigation. He said the agency confronted him with documents related to the project, and that he 'had no choice but to tell them what happened'. He also admitted in court that he had instructed his then finance manager, Azli Adam, to prepare fake invoices to hide the payments made to Lim. 'I know what I did with the dummy invoices was wrong, but I wanted to protect YB Lim so there wouldn't be a money trail leading back to him,' Zarul said. The court also heard from MACC investigating officer Eng Heng Jun, who testified that Zarul had lodged a report against fellow businessman G Gnanaraja for allegedly cheating him of RM19 million. Eng said Gnanaraja was charged with three counts of cheating in the Shah Alam sessions court but pleaded guilty to an alternative charge in 2020 under Section 218(1) of the Companies Act. He was fined RM230,000. Lim is accused of using his position as Penang chief minister to solicit a 10% share of profits from the undersea tunnel project and receiving RM3.3 million in bribes from Zarul. He also faces two charges of dishonestly misappropriating RM208.7 million worth of state land. The hearing continues before judge Azura Alwi on June 24.
Free Malaysia Today
21-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang may scrap undersea tunnel plan, says exco
The 7.2km-long undersea tunnel and roads project is part of the RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan. (File pic) GEORGE TOWN : The Penang government is considering replacing its long-proposed undersea tunnel with a bridge connecting the island to the mainland, says state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari. 'We are considering a new design proposal to replace the undersea tunnel with a bridge across the Penang Strait,' he told the state assembly during his winding-up speech. He said the bridge may link Pulau Tikus on the island to Bagan Ajam on the mainland. It may be the third bridge linking the island to the mainland. Zairil, the state infrastructure committee chairman, said a feasibility study — including the bridge option and other alternatives — was completed in 2023. He added that an implementation study for the new design is expected to be completed soon, after which the final design will be confirmed. 'Once the study is complete, we will finalise the new design. A traffic impact assessment and all other necessary evaluations will be conducted after that,' he said. The undersea tunnel project, first proposed in 2011 as part of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), was intended to connect George Town to Butterworth via a 7.2km tunnel. Earlier, in a written reply to Lee Khai Loon (PH–Machang Bubok), Zairil said the tunnel project was still relevant and could benefit both the public and state's development. He said the tunnel would help alleviate congestion on routes leading to the first Penang Bridge by diverting traffic onto the new link. 'The new design presents a practical alternative to advance the Third Link project (undersea tunnel project), considering efficiency, feasibility, and social and environmental impacts,' he said. AdChoices ADVERTISING On Feb 26, housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming said the tunnel's feasibility study was still under review. It was previously reported that the state was also considering external factors that could affect the project, including the planned expansion of the Butterworth port, which might impact the tunnel's proposed exit.
Malay Mail
21-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Penang undersea tunnel remains relevant to ease congestion on first bridge, says exco
GEORGE TOWN, May 21 — The Penang undersea tunnel project remains relevant in addressing traffic congestion on the first Penang bridge, state exco Zairil Khir Johari said. The state infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman said the tunnel would help reduce traffic in both directions on the first bridge while diverting vehicles from the surrounding area. 'This will divert traffic to the undersea tunnel and ease severe congestion on roads leading to the first bridge,' he said in response to a written question by Lee Khai Loon (PKR-Machang Bubuk) at the state legislative assembly. Zairil said the state government remains optimistic about the feasibility of the project, noting that a new design is currently being developed. 'The new design for the undersea tunnel is an alternative and significant solution for the continuity and direction of this Penang third link project to ensure its implementation,' he said. He added that the revised design would incorporate considerations for efficiency, feasibility, effectiveness, and social and environmental impacts. 'Furthermore, the proposed new design can accommodate all types of vehicles and will also be a new icon for Penang, serving not only as infrastructure but also as a future tourist attraction,' he said. However, Zairil stressed that the state government would reserve the right to decide on the project's implementation based on the results of the feasibility study.
