GEORGE TOWN: The cancellation of a proposed undersea tunnel will result in a hefty loss to the Penang government, said Penang MCA liaison committee secretary Dr Tan Chuan Hong.

Tan said the local administration had committed itself to pay consultants millions of ringgit to undertake the feasibility study and detailed design for the tunnel.

“The people or ratepayers will suffer if the tunnel is cancelled.

“A big part of the huge sum paid to consultants is from people’s hard earned money,” he said.

Tan also said a proposed third bridge between Gurney Drive on the island and Bagan Ajam on the mainland is expected to undermine Penang Port operations.

He said the bridge to replace the proposed undersea tunnel would drive away businesses at the port.

“The proposed third link may negatively affect the Penang Port activities to make it less competitive,” Tan said.

He urged Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng not to change the plan hastily to abolish the tunnel to avoid unnecessary wastage from paying the consultants, as the sum is not refundable.

Tan also wanted Lim to explain the state administration’s intention to build a third link instead of the tunnel.

-New Straits Times