BN man queries ‘inconsistent remarks’ by Penang excos

Rival reps continue fight over a study of an undersea tunnel and road project with new questions about payments to consultants.

GEORGE TOWN: The media fight between the Penang Pakatan Harapan government and the Barisan Nasional (BN) over payments for a study of an undersea tunnel and road project is continuing, with a BN assemblyman today questioning the alleged inconsistency in remarks by two excos.

BN’s Pulau Betong assemblyman Muhammad Farid Saad said the answer given in the state assembly by one exco differed from that of another at a press conference.

Farid was referring to Public Works Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng, who spoke in the assembly in May, and Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow, who spoke at a press conference last Saturday.

“If Chow’s statement is deemed to be accurate and true, then Lim has given a false statement in the assembly.

“Hence, action should be taken on Lim as he has confused the assembly by giving false facts,” Farid said in a statement.

However, the BN assemblyman did not present examples of the alleged contradictory remarks by either Lim and Chow.

In an immediate response, Lim said Farid was likely talking about an independent consultant hired by the Penang government to look through a detailed environmental impact assessment (DEIA) report prepared by the contractors.

Lim said he had told the assembly on May 22 that the Penang government had not paid the consultants for the final DEIA report.

He said the state had appointed the independent consultant to go through the documents given by the contractors and conduct additional studies if necessary.

“They (independent consultants) are also required to hand in the DEIA report and manage all other processes for the approval of the department of environment,” he said.

Lim said Chow, at his press conference, was talking about a payment made for the independent consultant studying the DEIA report.

“When I mentioned this at the assembly on May 22, the Penang government had not paid the independent consultant in question.

“After the independent consultant has finished his work, payment will be made to them and later reclaimed from the contractors as per the agreement,” Lim said. -FMT