Be transparent on transport plan

Source: The Star (8 Dec 2015) P.33

WE are a group of like-minded individuals who have come together to form an advocacy organisation called Penang in TRANSIT (PiT). We are primarily concerned with the lives and livelihood of Penangites and we are currently interested in the Penang Transport Masterplan (PTM), particularly the LRT and Penang Island Link (PIL).




Are these two projects going ahead? This is a mind-boggling question with answers coming in piece-meal, leaving Penangites on the edge.

First there was the announcement of the Penang Transport Masterplan which was supposed to comprise LRT, monorail, trams, Bus Rapid Transit and highways.

According to a proposal by a consortium, which has been accepted and endorsed by the state, the financing would be by way of land swaps involving land reclamation.

According to recent media reports, there will also be the Penang Island Link, a highway to ease traffic congestion on the main artery in George Town. This cannot come at a better time as, with the LRT and highway in place, Penang will see a better future in terms of development.

In recent weeks, we have been hearing questions and objections being raised, and from what we see in the news reports, this is a bad start to a good proposal.

On the reclamation plan, the voices of dissent are warning of the potential negative impact on the environment. Perhaps the proponents of the reclamation plan need to engage an independent environmental consultant to carry out an urgent assessment on the impact to oceanic life and the environment. As we know, a little information is a dangerous thing as it allows people to draw their own conclusions.

However, we are particularly happy to hear the experts’ views on the need for the LRT and the new highway in Penang and how these will be beneficial to the people. It appears that there has been encouraging support from experts on this matter. We need more input and feedback from other independent experts so that construction of the LRT can proceed with minimal objections. In this context, PiT is urging the state government to make a populist decision based on what the people want.

PiT is appealing for the state to come clean, be open and transparent on the PTM, including the land swap deals. I understand from news reports that the state will make known details of the PTM and the reclamation plans by next month.

To the detractors, please look at our southern neighbour, Singapore, whose tried and tested land reclamation activities have brought huge economic benefits and financial gains to the country.

Here is a call for the detractors to allow the proponents of the PTM sufficient time to prove their claim.

ESHA RISHI

Penang in TRANSIT (PiT)

George Town