GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state government today said it plans to submit the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Bayan Lepas Light Rail Transit (LRT) to the Department of Environment (DoE) by end of May.
State Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said preparation for the EIA report was in its final stages and expected to be completed soon.
He said the rail scheme for the LRT Bayan Lepas line, submitted to the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) for review last year in March, was still being processed by the commission.
“The review is pending the completion of the Northern Region Transport Master Plan being drawn up by SPAD,” he said in replying to Dr T Jayabalan (PKR – Batu Uban) on behalf of Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Jayabalan had asked about the status of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), which also includes the Bayan Lepas LRT.
Meanwhile, the state assemblymen also expressed their concern over the number of suicide cases in Penang after Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Rashid Hasnon revealed there were 118 cases from 2014 to 2017.
He said information obtained from the police showed that the victims were 93 men and 25 women, aged between 19 and 44.
“Police identified six causes of such attempts which were family problems with four cases, debt problems with three cases, psychiatric patients with five cases, arguing with partner with two cases, feeling pressured with seven cases and unknown causes with 97 cases.
“All of them came from various backgrounds and nationalities including Myanmar, Bangladesh, Indian and Vietnam,” he said in reply to Lee Khai Loon (PKR – Machang Bubuk) during the question and answer session.
Lee, in a follow up question, expressed his concerns over the high number of cases categorised as "due to unknown causes".
“This is very worrying as we do not know the truth of the matter, we know no one commits this act without reason unless they are mentally ill.” he said, while RSN Rayer (DAP – Seri Delima) concurred.