GEORGE TOWN – A former DAP MP expects major development projects in Penang to come under scrutiny at the party’s upcoming state convention, as they have digressed into controversies while being delayed or uncompleted.
In an interview with The Vibes, Jeff Ooi Chuan Aun – a pioneering Malaysian blogger who was Jelutong MP from 2008 to 2018 – said the controversies have dragged DAP’s name down, and that the party is unable to ward off criticisms against the projects effectively.
Among the projects is the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) scheme, where 1,821ha of land would be created off the pristine Permatang Damar Laut beach along a southern coastal stretch of Penang island.
Although the project has commenced its initial phase with a compensation payout to inshore fishermen who will be affected, he said that there are reservations among many quarters – including fellow Pakatan Harapan leaders – about the project, with concerns including the subsequent socio-economic and environmental impact brought about by the massive reclamation.
“There is a need to lend greater political legitimacy to the project in view of the objections out there,” the ex-MP said
“I think the concerns are real, as reclamation in Penang is not totally beneficial. Yes, some areas such as the Queensbay Mall area have flourished – but other parts have become an eyesore.
“The state needs to employ greater transparency to address the concerns,” he said, adding that the environmental effects must be considered more closely as the world is now grappling with global warming.
Environmentalists had sounded the alarm that such a massive development would adversely impact the livelihood of fishermen and the marine ecosystem in the southern part of the island.
The state had proposed to implement the PSR project to raise funds for the ambitious RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), which is touted as a catalyst to improve connectivity and boost the economy.
The master plan is expected to begin this year after the environment management plan is approved by the Environment Department and pockets of land are acquired.
Some 60ha of reclamation is expected to be completed this year and another 161ha done by next year. The entire project – involving three artificial islands – is expected to take 30 years to complete, with a minimum of nine years needed to complete the first island, which has been named “A”.
A seven-kilometre highway to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway which is planned to link to the undersea tunnel is also expected to begin construction at Air Itam.
According to plans, once sales of reclaimed land parcels are done, parts of the proceeds would be invested in a light rail transit from Komtar to Bayan Lepas, a Pan Island Link 1 highway project connecting Gurney Drive and the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas, and roads linking Penang island to one of the reclaimed parcels.
Ooi stressed that although the reclamation – which is aimed at financing the PTMP – looks impressive on paper, what is disconcerting is whether the state can afford the costs and if the environment can weather the development.
He pointed out that when the project was conceptualised a few years ago, no one expected the global pandemic that hit the country last year, let alone the political upheavals that subsequently happened.
In light of this, the state needs to adjust, as ploughing ahead with the reclamation may be unbeneficial when the immediate focus should now be about protecting the environment, creating quality jobs, reducing living costs and meeting social amenities such as housing and healthcare.
The ex-MP also mentioned other contentious projects, including the cross-channel undersea tunnel, the relocation of the Jelutong solid waste dump site, affordable housing, and the revitalisation of the George Town heritage zone.
“We need to voice out what the average person is questioning about the DAP leadership in Penang. We are a party into our third term – surely we cannot allow complacency to creep in,” he said. – The Vibes, March 18, 2021
