GEORGE TOWN – An MCA man showed up at the Penang assembly building today with a giant placard with the words “Most Expensive RM305 million Feasibility Study Penang Undersea Tunnel and 3 Routes”.
Penang MCA social movement bureau chief Cheah Chin Woon, who was alone with the item, wanted to hand it to opposition leader Datuk Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Noor.
Cheah, however, was stopped by police from entering the building, and was told to move away to avoid traffic congestion as he attracted curious onlookers.
He said the placard is a symbolic protest against the mega project.
“With the value of RM305 million, we can build many low-cost and affordable houses. But the state government is only doing a feasibility study.
“I am an accountant, and I know this value is very absurd. Why is it so expensive?”
Last April, Cheah made headlines when he jumped into a garbage-filled drain that connects to Sg Pinang, which was said to be one of the dirtiest rivers in the country.
He claimed that his action was aimed at raising public awareness to keep the environment clean, especially in the rivers.
Last March, the state government announced that the Penang undersea tunnel project would be continued after eight years of the feasibility studies.
The 7.2km tunnel project, which connects Persiaran Gurney to Bagan Ajam in Seberang Perai, is part of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
PTMP is a state government initiative with an estimated cost of RM46 billion, comprising a seabed tunnel connecting the island to the mainland, highways, LRT, monorail and a comprehensive network of bus routes on the island and mainland. – The Vibes, June 1, 2022
