Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has urged Putrajaya to allow him to prove that Penang can built a bridge without toll being collected.

“If the federal government can open its heart instead of playing politics or using the tunnel issue to attack the chief minister, please approve the request for the bridge,” Lim said at a press conference in Komtar today.

“We will then try to exempt the bridge from charging tolls. Let us prove it,” Lim said.

He added that there was no reason for Putrajaya to object the request by Penang as the state government would foot the bill for the construction of the third bridge to link the island to the mainland.

The undersea tunnel the state had earlier proposed is a long-term project that is expected to be completed between 2025 and 2027, or 15 years in the future, Lim said.

Penang wants 'balanced development'

He explained that one of the reasons for the undersea tunnel was to ensure that there  is “balanced development” in all districts in Penang, especially on the mainland.

Now, he said, Seberang Perai Central and South have links with the first and second Penang bridges but there is no link to island with Seberang Perai North.

“Seberang Perai North houses the opposition constituencies, but still we want development in the area,” Lim said.

Lim and federal minister cum BN strategy director Abdul Rahman Dahlan have been in a verbal war over the Penang government’s plan to build the undersea tunnel and three highways, which are part of the state’s RM27 billion Transport Master Plan linking the island with Bagan Ajam on mainland Penang.