Duo remanded in Penang tunnel probe

PETALING JAYA: Two men with "Datuk" titles were remanded on Wednesday in graft investigations into the Penang undersea tunnel project.

The suspects, who hold high posts in companies involved in the project, were brought to the magistrate's courts in Putrajaya and George Town by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) personnel.

Both men were remanded for six days until Jan 15.

The suspects were arrested on Tuesday (Jan 9) after the MACC raided the offices of four state government agencies — the Penang Public Works Department, Penang State Secretary, Penang Office of Lands and Mines and Penang Valuation and Property Services Department — and three property development and construction companies.

They are Ewein Zenith Sdn Bhd, 555 Capital Sdn Bhd and Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd's Penang office.

The raid was part of a massive swoop in which the MACC seized documents related to the RM6.3bil mega project.

Graft busters also questioned several officers in charge of the respective agencies and companies.

Investigators are also believed to be looking into the RM305mil feasibility and detailed design studies that have yet to be completed, even though a payment of RM220mil was made to a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) company.