The Malaysian Insight

PENANG expects to get the federal government’s verdict on several major components of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) by the first half of the year, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Approvals for the proposed light rail transit (LRT), Pan Island Link 1 (PIL 1) highway and Penang South Reclamation (PSR) projects are pending, he told BFM’s Breakfast Grille programme today.

“Hopefully, the Transport Ministry will grant us conditional approval so we can work on meeting those conditions and start working on the next level,” said Chow.

“Unless you get conditional approval, we are unable to move into the next level of work – final designs, calculating the costs, and tendering the projects’ work components.

“We have not finalised (the details). We are also still working out the kind of system for the LRT –whether to build it at grade, which will be cheaper or elevated.”

Chow said even after the approvals are received, the project consultants might take another six months to a year from approval dates to work on details before they can roll out the first tender.

He was also asked whether the state government, for the sake of fiscal prudence, would consider reviewing the PTMP, which is estimated to cost more than RM40 billion.

“We are mindful of the cost but our financing model is the reclamation. We feel the land generated will be sufficient to finance the infrastructure projects and also provide land for future development.

“The RM40 billion price tag includes the two projects – the reclamation and the infrastructure on the islands, all in. But the final cost can’t be determined at this juncture.”

He was referring to the 1,821ha PSR project involving three man-made islands off the southern coast of Penang island.

Penang civil groups have repeatedly criticised the PTMP for years, raising concerns about the cost, possible impact on the environment and local communities and the effectiveness of building more roads to ease traffic congestion.

Yesterday, environmental group Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) said it is sending its report on the impact of reclamation projects to members of the National Physical Planning Council (MPFN) in a bid to stop the “sea-grabbing” in Penang and elsewhere in Malaysia.

The MPFN is chaired by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and is scheduled to meet on April 16.

SAM president S.M. Mohamed Idris said the PSR project was not needed, as Penang did not need to generate more land for housing when there was already a property overhang now. He also said PTMP was an “unjustified” project.

For needs beyond 2050

Addressing SAM’s criticism, Chow told the business radio station that the plans undertaken by the state are long term, to cater to future needs beyond 2050.

“We are not talking about 2020 or 2021. They are long-term projects to meet the needs of the future.

“Penang island has no more corridors for roads. If we don’t build them now to set the corridor, we won’t be able to do it when land is released for development.”

When asked about what legacy he would like to leave Penang as its fifth chief minister, Chow said he had been working hard to improve basic amenities like what the state was pursuing in the PTMP.

He also said he hoped Penang residents would be happier, able to realise their potential and have access to quality jobs.

“I would like to leave behind a better-connected Penang in terms of transport and infrastructure and a more liveable Penang in terms of quality of life.

“I don’t want to be remembered for mammoth buildings. Probably just for taking Penang a little bit up the ladder.” – February 28, 2019.