Woman held over Penang tunnel probe freed on bail

PUTRAJAYA (Jan 29):  The Magistrate's Court here yesterday released the woman consultant who was remanded since Wednesday to assist the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) investigation into the proposed road and undersea tunnel mega project in Penang, reported Bernama.

The woman was arrested on Jan 23 when giving a statement at the MACC’s Penang office and remanded for five days from Jan 24.

She is a senior consultant of a company responsible for the tunnel project

MACC sources said the woman was believed to be involved in the preparation of documents for making fraudulent claims for the feasibility study of three main roads and an undersea tunnel in Penang worth about RM305 million to the state government, Bernama reported.

Magistrate Nik Muhammad Azrin Hafiz Nik Mahmood ordered that the 50-year-old woman be released on bail of RM208,000 with one surety.

So far, the graftbusters have held four persons in their investigation on the road and tunnel project. They include two "Datuks” and a “Datuk Seri”.  

On Jan 9, the MACC raided four state agencies — the Penang Public Works Department, Penang State Secretary, Penang Office of Lands and Mines and Penang Valuation and Property Services Department — and three construction and property development companies — Ewein Zenith Sdn Bhd, 555 Capital Sdn Bhd and Consortium Zenith Construction.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki recently said the anti-graft body had recorded statements from 76 witnesses.