THE Pakatan Harapan (PH) government is being hypocritical over its support for Penang’s Pan Island Link (PIL1) highway while criticising the high cost of the previous administration’s East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, former prime minister Najib Razak said today.

He said the ECRL, which Putrajaya has put on hold pending a review, would have cost RM55 billion for 688km, or RM80 million per km.

The PIL1, however, will cost RM7.5 billion for 19.5km, which works out to RM385 million per km, Najib wrote in his Facebook page today.

Along with his post, he attached an article about Penang residents protesting against the state’s Transport Master Plan outside the state legislative assembly today.

“PH has been saying that we were wasteful with the ECRL and that it was too expensive, even though the cost (RM55 billion) had included the cost of trains and to build 27 stations and a 50km tunnel. ECRL would have also benefited five states.

“But strangely, PH is insistent on carrying out the PIL1 project… which works out to RM385 million per km, even though the people of Penang are opposing this and saying the project costs too much and is not necessary,” Najib wrote.

A group of Penang resident protested outside the state assembly building against the state’s transport master plan, which costs RM46 billion and includes the PIL1 as one component.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had recently said the project was needed to plan and alleviate traffic congestion for Penang in 30 years’ time.

Najib also highlighted the Penang government’s request for a RM1 billion soft loan from the federal government to commence the PIL1.

He questioned why Putrajaya would support the project, and why PH-led Selangor had paid RM2.55 billion to take over water company Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor (Splash) when this was 10 times above the original offer of RM1 billion.

“It’s very strange that the government (would spend these amounts) but cannot pay allowances for Felda settlers or aid to fishermen, or give civil servants a raise,” Najib said.

It was reported recently that Felda has not yet paid subsistence allowances to settlers who are replanting their crops as the new government struggles to manage finances amid resolving a RM1 trillion inherited debt.

Najib said PH’s allegations about the previous government’s overspending were aimed at masking the “reality of people’s suffering”. – August 6, 2018.