I refer to CAP S M Mohamad Idris' letter, A myth Porr will cure traffic congestion . Whilst we can agree to disagree, CAP's disagreeable manner clearly indicates CAP is not accustomed to being challenged to justify their wild claims with facts.

CAP has refused to own up to their false accusation that Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has refused to consult the public on any proposed Porr project when Lim had unequivocally stated that there would be public consultation.

I reiterate the Penang state government's position that any proposed Porr project by the federal government must be accompanied by a new alignment of the original routes.

Other critical factors to be taken into account include the views of the affected residents, effectiveness in reducing traffic congestion, environmental and social impact assessment and pricing issues together with public consultation.

To this end, the state government has established a Penang Transport Council to frame a transportation master plan for the entire state. All options will be considered, especially the users of public transport.

As a responsible government, we have neither the luxury of inaction nor the option of forcibly reducing the number of cars entering Penang as a solution to worsening traffic gridlock.

Are we to stop giving fish to the poor in preference to fishing nets when the poor do not even have the strength to fish? Similarly are we to stop considering a realigned Porr or stop building new roads completely just because we could not reduce the number of vehicles in Penang?