“We consider this action by DAP to be a betrayal of the highest order of the people of Penang”
PETALING JAYA: Dato’ Michael Lee Beng Seng hit out at the administration of Lim Guan Eng yesterday over the exorbitant rates involved in designing three road projects on the island state of Penang, well above the allowed rates.
In a statement, the state MCA youth chief reasoned that a large part of the money dissipated by the DAP-led government through those projects could have been channelled towards flood mitigation projects in the state.
Michael was referring to allegations that the Penang government had paid consultants RM136 million – or four times the allowed gazetted fee – for the undersea tunnel project, a claim first made by Minister in the Prime Minister’s department, Dato’ Abdul Rahman Dahlan.
“Penang MCA Youth is shocked that the Penang government has got its priorities so very wrong that the well-being and safety of the rakyat of Penang is put into second place behind the interests of consultants and contractors.
“We consider this action by DAP to be a betrayal of the highest order of the people of Penang,” a statement by Michael read.
Michael, who is also MCA Youth treasurer, said that Penangites would not be suffering from the severe effects of flooding today had the state government spent its funds wisely.
“The Penang government had always given the excuse that they do not have enough money for flood mitigation, and blamed the Federal Government.
“Looks like that is not the case. The Penang government just wasted the money on the wrong things,” he added.
