KUALA LUMPUR: Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the feasibility study for large-scale projects, such as the Penang undersea tunnel, should cost less than RM305 million.
Fadillah said based on his experience as Works Minister, such a study should cost less as the percentage of the project cost could be negotiated down to man-day rates due to the large scope and amount involved.
“I’m shocked to hear (Barisan Nasional strategic communications director) Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan’s revelation that the study for the RM6.3 billion Penang Tunnel project, which he said is mostly paperwork, will cost RM305 million.
“It is also regrettable to hear that even at such large amount, the Penang government has been facing delays on the completion of their study,” he said in a statement here, yesterday.
Fadillah added that the ministry had the expertise to do the work at substantially below the RM305 million and also ensure the timeliness of the studies.
“Therefore, I would like to offer the Penang state government assistance via the Public Work Department on how we can assist to substantially lower the cost of the feasibility study and ensure that it will be completed on a timely manner instead of the multiple delays already suffered by them,” he said.
Abdul Rahman in a press conference called on the Penang government to explain how a feasibility study for the proposed Penang undersea tunnel can cost as much as RM305 million.
He said the amount was too high and unreasonable because it only involved working papers and research reports for the project implementation. — Bernama