MACC to engage independent consultant to evaluate feasibility study on undersea tunnel (Updated)

KEPALA BATAS: An independent consultant will be engaged to evaluate the feasibility study of the proposed RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel project, said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki.
He said such cases like the undersea tunnel involved many technical aspects and the investigation might take some time to be completed.
"Hence there is a need to engage an outside consultant and we at MACC are currently in the process of engaging technical consultants to help in our investigations," he said in a press conference after the launch of the MACC Sahabat Cilik program at Sekolah Kebangsaan Hashim Awang yesterday.
Azam said the agency is in the midst of discussion with several consultants but declined to elaborate further.
He also added that so far 127 witnesses have been called in to have their statements recorded and revealed that more witnesses will be summoned.
Azam, however, did not rule out that witnesses that were summoned previously, might be called up again.
"It is a normal procedure in our investigation, they might be called again," he said, adding that currently there is no need to summon Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
The project is under investigation by the MACC for the alleged high cost of the feasibility study as well as the payment method that involves an exchange of state land.
Meanwhile, Azam said the investigation over the illegal carbon filter factory in Sungai Lembu, that caused the detention of exco member Phee Boon Poh and two others by the MACC last year has been completed.
Azam said the MACC is now waiting for its own prosecution department to decide on the case.
"The investigation has been completed long ago, It is has been handed over to our prosecution unit in Putrajaya, no decision has been made yet," he said.
On Aug 10 last year, MACC and other federal enforcement agencies raided the illegal carbon filter factory following complaints from residents.