The opposition needs to answer questions raised by the people especially regarding Penang's undersea tunnel and highway projects.

UMNO Supreme Council member, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said that the opposition, especially the Penang State Government must come clean on these projects.

"They have to answer the questions posed to them as they are now the authority. Don't create unnecessary stories. If you are wrong, just admit it.

"We, the Barisan Nasional (BN) have always been truthful for the betterment of the people," he said.

Hamzah was referring to the statement by BN Strategic Communications (BNSC) director Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan which claimed that Penang had paid four times higher than the gazetted scale of fees for consultation set by the Board of Engineers.

Rahman had given Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng one week to come out with an explanation and that if he remained silent on the issue, the matter would be referred to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the police.

Hamzah, who is also Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister and Larut MP, also said that the BN coalition would work hard to reduce the number of opposition seats in the next general election.

"We have to understand that we can live without the opposition poisoning our minds. We can live in a harmonious manner without them," he said.

--BERNAMA