Penang Outer Ring Road

"April 8, 2006 (Bernama) -- Construction works on the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) costing RM1.02 billion will start soon when the contracting company, Peninsular Metro-Works, has concluded talks with its bankers. Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the company had requested from the government to be given some time to start construction works on the PORR. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recently said the PORR project would be implemented during the Ninth Malaysia Plan beginning this year.

The PORR concessionaire, Peninsular Metro-Works Sdn Bhd, would be given a 30-year toll concession, 31 ha of prime State land and 202 ha of reclaimed land off Gurney Drive, estimated to be worth some RM5 billion!

Yes, that is what PORR is worth, RM5 billion. And who are the ultimate owners or beneficiaries of PORR? Why, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of course. But his hand is hidden from public view and not many know he is the ultimate beneficiary to this RM5 billion concession -- that is not until Malaysia Today revealed his role in this whole thing."