GEORGE TOWN: Concerned Penangites and representatives from numerous non-governmental organisations (NGOs) came together to voice their protest of the controversial Pan Island Link 1 (PIL 1) today.
The group, numbering more than 50 people, also called for a review of the highly-ambitious RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
This is the second protest in the past five days.
They also reminded Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow on how he had opposed the Barisan Nasional-mooted Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) in the past, when he was the opposition.
Tanjung Bungah Residents Association (TBRA) chair Meenakshi Raman, who likened the PIL 1 as an extension of the PORR, said she and many other present today had opposed the PORR when it was first announced.
“We have always been consistent with our stand. How could something not good back then, be good today?
“What about the chief minister? He had opposed the PORR then as the opposition. Now that he is the government, he is supporting the PIL 1, which is similar to PORR and much bigger.
“When he is the opposition, he stands by the people, the NGOs. Now, he’s changed his stand and principle to support the PIL 1. This is something we do not understand,” she said at the protest held outside the state legislative assembly building.
Spotted among the crowd were former DAP’s Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu and former PKR’s Batu Uban assemblyman Dr T Jayabala.
The group carried placards which read “No PIL, Review PTMP”, “How can 1.7 million Penangites afford to pay RM46 billion”, and “No Bitter PIL 1 Review SRS PTMP”.
They also chanted “No way highway, PIL no way” and “SRS stay away, this is what I want to say.”
They also handed out copies of Chow’s speech back on May 29, 2002, during the launch of the public display of the PORR plan.
Back then, they claimed that Chow had said that, former chief minister, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, would be irresponsible if PORR was implemented as it was not a long-term solution to the traffic problem in the state.
He had also said that an overall review of the PORR should be carried out to ensure the interest of the people were protected and not the interest of the company which would rake in RM5 billion from the project.
Meenakshi said now, Chow was singing a different tune.
“Wouldn’t it be irresponsible for Chow if PIL 1 is implementer now, since it is not a long-term solution to the worsening traffic woes in the state?
“PIL 1 should also protect the interest of the people and not certain companies with political interest to make huge profits,” she added.
Meanwhile, a representative from Penang Forum, Khoo Salma Nasution said the people demanded greater transparency from the Penang government to reveal the full details of the PTMP.
“We want the whole picture. The real picture. We want transparency in the name of CAT, drawing reference to the competency, accountability and transparency mantra advocated by the state government.
“We keep talking about the rule of law. But who is actually benefitting from the PTMP? The PIL 1? Not the people of Penang of course,” the former Penang Island City Council councillor said.
Youth For Better Transport member Andrew Ng Yew Han said the young people yearned for a more sustainable public transportation.
“There are some saying that those who opposed the PIL 1 and PTMP are retirees and elitists.
“Do I look like a retiree? Let me ask you this, how many young people can actually afford to buy a car? You keep building more roads, but what about young people like us who can’t afford a car?
“The solution has to be a proper public transportation like the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and not more highways,” he added.
On the proposed light rail transit (LRT), Ng said Penang only has a population of about 1.6 million, and according to studies, the state only experienced a 10,000 people growth annually.