The DAP-led Penang government is to hold a press conference on Monday (May 9) to reply on the issues raised by BN strategic communications director Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

State Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee chairperson Lim Hock Seng said Abdul Rahman did not provide a wholesome picture of the RM6.3-billion major projects which included the third tunnel link.

"The state government wishes to point out that Abdul Rahman did not provide a wholesome picture which included incorrect information of the projects proposed.

"... from the process of pre-qualification, open tender, feasibility studies, detailed design, independent environment impact assessment and subsequently physical construction," he said in a statement in George Town today.

Yesterday, Abdul Rahman, who is urban wellbeing, housing and local government minister, asked the state government helmed by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to explain why the total cost for the state's Undersea Tunnel Project feasibility study report reached RM305 million.

Abdul Rahman said the amount was too high and unreasonable because it was just basic working papers and research reports for project implementation.

With the cost of RM6.3 billion, the project that links Gurney Drive on the island to Bagan Ajam on the mainland is one of the four-phased long-term plans to overcome the rather chronic traffic congestion in Penang.

- Bernama