Tanjong PKR division chief Ng Chek Siang hoped the report would be made available for lawmakers and public scrutiny after the state PAC failed to present the report at the state assembly in May.
He said the project — part of a RM6.3 billion mega infrastructure undertaking including paired roads — was worrisome as it might carry a debt that could transcend to future generations.
“This is a very serious matter as the PAC is accountable to the people of Penang.
“Even the feasibility cost for the tunnel, which costs RM305 million, is questionable and suspicious.
“A survey carried out on Sept 23, through Keadilan Penang’s Facebook page, showed that 97 per cent out of a total of 710 respondents agreed that the PAC should disclose and make public the report,” he said in a statement today.
Ng felt that the government land that was handed over to a firm in lieu of payment for conducting the feasibility study, was “not a good bargain.”
He pointed out that in the event the undersea tunnel was found to be not feasible, the firm would still get the government land.
“There should be more public hearing on this matter before any decision is made.”
Ng said Penang’s PAC must set a good example to federal lawmakers in Parliament, by not simply “clearing” the undersea tunnel project the same way the national sovereign fund case was “cleared.”
“1MDB was cleared by the PAC at the federal level, but the matter is now under international scrutiny and all credibility of that PAC committee has gone down the drain.
“PAC must not be used as a political tool or as a rubber stamp to endorse government expenditure.
“Penang can be a shining example of good governance with good democratic practices. Therefore, it should take immediate steps to address this potential pitfall,” he said.
Previously, the Penang government said the RM305 million feasibility study cost for the George Town-Butterworth Undersea Tunnel project was within professional limits, and was therefore acceptable.
Penang Public Works Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng said out of the total RM6.3 billion cost of the project, RM305 million was for the feasibility study, detailed design and environmental impact studies; RM540 million for land acquisition; and RM5.5 billion for construction costs.
Lim had said the cost of the study on the three paired road projects was RM31.2 million and for the tunnel, RM20 million.
State PAC Chairman A Tanasekharan meanwhile explained that the previous delay in providing the PAC report on the tunnel cost was due to the delay in the detailed environment impact assessment (DEIA). He had also said the full PAC report would be ready by the next sitting.
The tunnel will be built at least 20 metres below the seabed. The four-lane 7.2km-long tunnel is expected to be completed by 2025.
Zenith-BUCG won an open tender to build the tunnel and the three paired roads in 2013.
The project is part of the RM27 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), which aims to build a network of new roads and public transport lines.
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