Views on PTMP will be taken into account, says exco

GEORGE TOWN: Penang will continue to engage nongovernmental organisations (NGO) on the proposed RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) although both sides are “poles apart” on the viability of the mega project.

However, state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari said work on the master plan will proceed as planned.

Zairil, who is in charge of the infrastructure portfolio, said the views of NGOs would be taken into account in any large-scale project that requires environment impact assessments.

He was commenting on a call by an NGO, Aliran, for PTMP to be scaled down or scrapped due to the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,

“We are not dismissive of the views of all,” he said yesterday.

“But the project is crucial for Penang and it has majority support of the residents here.”

Zairil said Penang will be innovative in seeking financing for the project.

“It has always been the case for developments here as the federal government seems to perceive the state to be better off,” he added.

“Even for the cable car project (for which the federal government has ceased funding), there are always ways to go about it without federal funds. We are confident that all our projects will continue.”

During Budget 2020 last October, the then Pakatan Harapan federal government allocated RM100 million for the proposed Penang Hill cable car project.

Besides using funds from the proposed Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project to create three islands with a total area of of 1,821ha, Zairil said the state is considering issuing bonds or seeking loans from other financiers.

It was also proposed that Penang work with the China Infrastructure Development Bank on the PSR project as part of the Belt and Road Initiative linking the state to China.

PTMP involves construction of two major highways – the Pan Island Link and a light rail transit system at the cost of RM10 billion, and a cross-channel undersea tunnel and three interlocking highways linking the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway to Air Itam, Batu Ferringhi and Gurney Drive, costing some RM30 billion. – by Ian Mcintyre