IN giving Pakatan Harapan the state and federal mandate to rule the country, the people have shown that they support the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.

He said in the run-up to the 14th general election, the Barisan Nasional opposition had pledged to cancel mega projects proposed under PTMP, of which the Pan Island Link (PIL) is a part of.

However, BN was rejected by the people and Pakatan returned to power in Penang with an even larger majority, he said.

“This shows that the people don’t agree with cancelling the projects,” he said after a PTMP briefing for Penang assemblymen and MPs this afternoon. 

PH returned to power in Penang, winning 37 state seats out of 40, and 11 parliamentary seats out of 13. The coalition won all the state and parliamentary seats on the island.

BN won only two parliamentary seats and two state seats while PAS won one state seat. All the opposition-held seats are on mainland Seberang Prai.

The RM7.5 billion PIL connects Persiaran Gurney in the north and the second Penang Bridge in the south. Its environmental impact assessment (EIA) report is currently open for public display until August 10.

During the announcement of the public display earlier this month, it was revealed that the PIL project will have a tunnel, comprising 70% of the 19.5km highway, that will cut through Penang Hill and Paya Terubong and Sungai Ara.

It was also revealed that the highway will have a 250m elevated portion across the popular Youth Park, an important green lung and recreational area on the island.

Chow said the proposed design for the elevated highway – a cable-stayed bridge with only two pylons – will ensure minimal impact to the park.

“In Sungai Ara, we are using the river reserve corridor as we want to ensure minimal impact on the environment,” he said.

Chow also said that the state government was open to hearing the people’s views on the project.

“We have been doing extensive public engagements on the PTMP. At this phase with the PIL, we are taking feedback from the people on the EIA report.

“We will speak with the local community on their concerns,” he said.

Yesterday, an online petition seeking to cancel the PIL project was started on change.org. 

The petition, signed by more than 1,040 “concerned people of Penang” as at 8.15pm today, is addressed to Chow.

The petition said that the people were “very shocked” after reviewing the project’s EIA report, which showed that the PIL project would “adversely affect the lives of ordinary people”.

The petitioner, using the alias “Beautiful Penang”, said the EIA report downplayed the impact of the project.

“Clearly, the noise, vibration, congestion and inconvenience during the construction period is a serious issue. What more, the noise, dust and exhaust fumes from the high volume of vehicles using the completed PIL1 will be a permanent cause of pollution and annoyance. 

“The properties located along the six-lane expressway and its feeder roads may drop in value as a result. The scenic beauty, tree-lined roads and landmarks, which are etched in the memories of Penangites and tourists, will be lost or overshadowed by the expressway.

“Would the blasting of the hills cause landslides at the Youth Park, and in Paya Terubong and Relau? Increase flash floods in Paya Terubong, Ayer Itam, Relau and other places? Will it cause the Penang Hill funicular railway to go out of alignment? 

“We do not know and no one can guarantee its safety. The EIA has downplayed the potential impacts of the PIL1 on the health and well-being of residents, working people, schoolchildren and elderly people. 

“For the sake of Penang and future generations, we appeal to you to please cancel the PIL1 Highway project,” the petition read. – July 22, 2018.