KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has expressed regret that the concession company awarded the Penang tunnel and three main roads project costing RM6.34 billion has attempted to use the ministry's and his name to defend itself in the over-payment of consultant fees issue. According to Fadillah, the briefing given by the Penang State Government to the ministry in April was a project overview including an explanation on why the feasibility studies on the tunnel portion of the project long-promised to the ministry have been delayed. "The RM177.5 million fees already paid by the Penang State Government for this is more than four times the maximum fees as per the gazetted scale of rates. The minister stressed for avoidance of doubt, the Board of Engineers is the sole statutory board that governs the gazetted scale of fees for civil works in the country. The construction of the undersea tunnel is part of Penang DAP government's Transport Master Plan to solve traffic congestion on the island.

Source: New Strait Times June 22, 2017 17:03 UTC