THE environmental impact assessment (EIA) on PIL-1 states that the multi-billion ringgit “super highway” passing through tunnels in hills and across recreational and residential places will reach maximum carrying capacity within four years of completion.

Considering that the PIL-1 will be “good” for such a short time, the EIA squarely nails the government’s claim that the highway being able to “dramatically reduce travelling time” from the north of the island to the airport as a lie.

This is so as spending about RM7 billion for such short-term “benefit” is not a sensible economic thing, let alone a lasting solution to Penang’s traffic congestion problem. In fact, it will create more private vehicle traffic and further congestion on the island.

Then why is the government hell-bent on ramming this project through?   

To get this project going is absolutely necessary for the government to go for the kill and the prize which is the reclamation of the three islands in the south.

If the PIL-1 does not take off, there is no need for the huge reclamation project, as the excuse is that money from the reclamation is needed for the PIL-1 and other projects like the LRT. So the PIL-1 is like a red herring.

“Development” based on the permanent destruction of the natural environment is not sustainable development as claimed. When PIL-1 gets choked, more roads will be needed.

What is the craze to reclaim 1,698ha driven by?

Firstly, there is ego. Politicians have to “show” and leave a legacy behind, never mind that some of the politicians’ legacies have ended up as white elephants.

They have to show their power to get things done. They want to make people feel “high” (drugged) on “development” to earn their votes at the next election.    

Then in this case there is the burning desire to COMPETE. The Penang government is trying to compete with and outdo Singapore’s Marina Bay and other such waterfront areas.  Why this desire to compete?

If the Penang government thinks that tourists will be attracted to see the man-made tunnels and the majestic concrete jungle on the three reclaimed islands, they must be in dreamland.

Tourists running away from concrete jungles in their homelands to enjoy some quiet and peaceful days close to nature will look for other destinations.

It should therefore make more sense to preserve the natural environment of Penang for which it has been well known as the Pearl of the Orient than to mutilate it. 

Obviously there is big money to be made from the reclamation (if it gets completed), but who is going to make all that money?

Definitely not the man in the street in Penang. The few rich will be made richer.

What about the majority who are having to tighten belts to make ends meet? Whose needs is the government really looking after? 

With nine out of 10 people in society being of the unthinking type, it is very easy for politicians to condition them to believe that as the “people’s elected representatives”, whatever they do is good for them.

So the voice of the 10% thinking people is buried under the weight of the votes of the other 90% which politicians cite as their “mandate” or empowerment to do what they perceive to be “best”.   

Penangites who have blind faith in the government should wake up and reflect on what Ben Carson once said: “We’ve been conditioned to think that only politicians can solve our problems. But at some point, maybe we will wake up and recognise that it was politicians who created our problems.” – April 24, 2019

* Ravinder Singh reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.