THE Penang government has written to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad asking for full funding to build the state’s first light rail transit (LRT) project.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced this in his winding-up speech at the state assembly this morning.

“I have written to the prime minister (on June 29) to get full funding for the LRT, or at least an interest-free loan. We have to wait for his answer,” he said.

The proposed LRT links Komtar in the city centre in the north and Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas in the south of the island.

The project is part of the ambitious Penang Transport Master Plan, which costs an estimated RM46 billion. It is an comprehensive integrated public transport plan to address Penang’s worsening traffic problem. It also proposes new highways.

Chow said Putrajaya must provide alternatives if it decides to reject Penang’s proposed transport infrastructure projects and funding model.

This includes funding for any alternative infrastructure plan to replace the current model that involves reclaiming land and auctioning it off.

Chow, who is also the Padang Kota assemblyman, said it would then be up to the federal government to help Penang solve its worsening traffic problems.

“Putrajaya will have to give us alternatives and a better funding model,” he said during question time.

Earlier, Lee Khai Loon (PH-Machang Bubuk) had asked about the funding model for the proposed LRT and Pan Island Link (PIL) highway projects through land reclamations.

The PKR representatives asked what better and more cost-effective ways could be considered to implement the PTMP, of which the LRT and PIL highways are part of.

The state is working on implementing the PTMP, estimated at RM46 billion, aimed at integrating transport infrastructure on the island.

The PTMP would be funded by the Penang South Reclamation, which will create three manmade islands off the southern coast of the island. Land on the reclaimed islands will then be auctioned off to pay for the projects in the master plan.

Chow said if the land reclamation is not approved, the state will need help from Putrajaya to fund the LRT and PIL highway.

He also explained that the PSR was also crucial for the state to address the lack of land in the eastern part of the island for development.

The previous federal government under Barisan Nasional had taken no action on Penang’s proposals and had expressed opposition to the projects.

“With the change in government, the agencies are speeding things up to study the submissions and giving feedback to allow us to make amendments to comply with further requirements so we can get the project approved.

“Penang has also presented the PSR plan to the National Economic Council, which has no objections against it. But for now we have to be patient.” 

Chow said the PSR is an economic transformation project that would make Penang a strong service and international manufacturing hub.

In his speech, he acknowledged the criticisms against the PTMP and its components, including the LRT and the PIL1 highway, which civil society, residents associations and other parties want scrapped.

The RM7.5 billion PIL1 highway connects Persiaran Gurney in the north and the second Penang Bridge in the south.

The 19.5km infrastructure is made up of 70% hill tunnels through Penang Hill and the hills of Paya Terubong and Sg Ara; and a 250m cable-stayed bridge across the popular Youth Park, an important green lung and recreational area on the island.

“The state government believes the highway is still needed, even though there is a plan for a LRT, because the transition from private vehicle use to public transport alone will not solve Penang’s worsening traffic.

“This change cannot be expected to happen within a short period of time,” he said.

Chow said the increase in car numbers cannot be avoided even with an improved public transport system.

The increase in population, new developments, growth in business and employment will also need new roads, he said. – August 10, 2018.