Najib blasts Penang tunnel as 'wasteful', sings praises of BN rule

Prime Minister Najib Razak has criticised the Penang government for their tunnel project, saying it is not needed as there are already two bridges.

The prime minister boasted his own federal government was doing a far better job than the states run by the federal opposition with all its “consistent development” citing projects such as the MRT, Tun Razak Exchange, East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) and high-speed rail (HSR), which he claimed had “raised the quality of life” for Malaysians.

“In comparison, the states run by the federal opposition has levied land taxes that have blown sky high, 1,671 percent in Penang and 300 percent in Selangor.

“In Penang, it's not enough they have the bungalow scandal, now comes allegations of a monster scandal over the Penang tunnel,” wrote Najib in his Facebook.

“We already have two bridges in Penang, why is there a need to waste public money to build that undersea tunnel?” he asked.

BN leaders have been attacking the DAP-led Penang government's tunnel highway project, while MACC has been probing various allegations related to the project, allegations that Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has called politically-motivated.

Lim said the project was awarded via an open tender chaired by the state secretary, and that no money has yet been paid for the project.

MACC has also charged Lim for corruption over the purchase of his private bungalow allegedly at below market price, and for the interim approval of a land conversion application, which he claimed was also politically-motivated.

Najib was commenting on the movement to spoil votes in the coming election, saying while “both sides have weaknesses”, voters should focus on what the contributions.

“There is no need to spoil your votes, the choice (of party) that is best for the people is most clear,” he said.

In contrast to Najib's rosy picture of the ruling party, jailed former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim today wrote that his time in prison has seen the country go from bad to worse, citing the persecution of opposition leaders, festering corruption and ballooning costs that have burdened the people.-Mkini