Penang must discard outdated development model – CAP

THE Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) supports the prime minister’s pledge yesterday to review the disastrous mega Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project, which has come under bitter criticism from civil society organisations, including CAP. 

The prime minister’s message indicates that the mega PSR project is defective in its planning and design, and raises serious questions about the state government’s competence to formulate effective development programmes for the citizens of Penang.

In a letter sent to the prime minister on Friday, CAP had set out the reasons why the PSR project is not needed. Initially, the Penang government justified the mega reclamation project as being needed to raise funds from the sale of reclaimed land to implement Penang’s Transport Master Plan. 

However, the federal government has now agreed to provide the funds for the Penang LRT. So, why proceed with the reclamation?

Faced with strong criticism of the reclamation project, the state government has raised the argument that Penang needs more land for development and job creation. However, this claim is baseless and contradicts the reality on the ground.

Just across the second bridge in Batu Kawan, over 1,214ha of cheap land is available for economic growth. It has all the amenities and is very close and well connected to the Butterworth port and Bayan Lepas Airport. Investing there would contribute to bridging the uneven economic and social development between the mainland and the island.  

The chief minister himself had admitted recently that 12,000ha of land is available for development in Penang, with around 500ha in the island itself. Also, several industrial estates in Penang are underutilised. Therefore, what is the rationale for the proposed land reclamation?

This sordid episode has put into sharp relief the deficiency of the Penang government’s outdated development model – a model that is heavily real estate driven to the detriment of social development and building the capability of Penang’s real economy.

The proposed LRT is yet another example of an unsustainable development initiative. CAP has raised concern about the logic for building the LRT instead of pursuing other cheaper, less disruptive, and more modern urban solutions. 

Instead of solving Penang’s traffic congestion problem, the LRT will scar her urban fabric and create new more complex problems for Penang’s citizens.

We strongly urge the Transport Ministry to appoint credible traffic experts to study the original Halcrow plan, and modify it taking into consideration the latest development in transport technology and urban solutions.   

Finally, we call upon Penang to convene a state conference to critically reassess its development model and shape a new more meaningful development agenda that will position Penang as a model of Malaysia’s new economy and a beacon for sustainable development. – The Vibes, May 7, 2023

Mohideen Abdul Kader is president of the Consumers Association of Penang