A BACKBENCHER wants the Penang government and Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to put on hold the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) and undersea tunnel project.

The tunnel is part of the RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) while PSR is the funding model for the master plan, which aims to solve Penang’s traffic woes.

Jason Ong Khan Lee (Kebun Bunga-PH) said the state should consider putting the projects on hold because the population, development and growth of the country have not reached the level of Singapore and Hong Kong.

He said the two islands had long become international cities and hubs for business, finance and entreport trade.

Ong told the assembly today that he was not against the PTMP, but as an elected rep, he has to forward questions to the government on issues, namely mega projects.

“Personally, I support the PTMP… but I believe the government understands that the project costs a lot of money at RM46 billion. 

“Because of that, the people have the right to know the source of the project’s funding, and whether the project will be sustainable in the long run. Surely it will also involve high maintenance cost.

“The implementation of the PTMP will be timely if our economy and financial position are strong. As far as I know, the PTMP will not be funded by the federal government, so we must be careful in implementing it,” he said during the debate this afternoon.

Opposition leader Muhamad Yusoff Moh Noor (Sg Dua-BN) voiced his agreement with Ong while Chris Lee Chun Kit (Pulau Tikus-PH) disagreed, saying that the projects should not be delayed further.

Earlier, Ong also questioned the state on its policy to build more roads.

“Is the government prepared to build more car parks? What good will it be to build more roads but we have no plans for car parks?

“Even if the state has plans for car parks, it will still depend on the public space we have for such infrastructures.

“Is the state also ready to face the increase in noise and air pollution by encouraging more car usage? Or does the state want to encourage use of public transportation?”

Civil society and environmental groups have objected to the PTMP and PSR over various concerns. 

They have argued that the plans to build more roads will not solve the traffic congestion problem in the long term. – April 30, 2019.