Remand extended for two high-ranking bosses in Penang tunnel probe

MISC is fully committed to the highest standards of integrity and accountability throughout our businesses and operations.

PUTRAJAYA: Two high-ranking bosses of development and construction companies related to the Penang undersea tunnel project have had their remand extended.

The two, , aged 59 and 49, were arrested on Jan 9 and will now be held by graft investigators until Jan 19.

Magistrate Khir Nizam Jemari allowed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) prosecutors' application for an extension of the suspects' remand.

The first suspect was arrested at MACC headquarters when he came to have his statement recorded, while the other was held in Penang.

On Tuesday (Jan 9), MACC personnel 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 believed to be related to the case.

The project involves a plan to bore a 6.5km tunnel below the seabed to connect north Butterworth and the island.

The tunnel is to connect Bagan Ajam, a mature suburb of about 5km from the Butterworth ferry terminal, to the end of Gurney Drive near the Pangkor Road junction on the island.