I seriously wonder what is happening to the island of Penang. Every day there seems to be something new being planned by either the federal or state government without proper or with no public consultation.

The latest plan is to convert Market Street into a pedestrian mall similar to that of Campbell Street. Didn't the authorities learn from their mistakes when they converted Campbell Street into a pedestrian mall?

This latest conversion will cost another part of the history and culture of Penang to be lost to development. The authority apparently wanted to emulate Singapore's 'Little India'. Why are the authorities bent on creating an artificial Little India when the current Little India is filled with its little quirks, beauty and identity of its own?

Spruce up, tidy up, maintain the premises in the area, for heaven's sake, but do not change history and the identity of Little India.

Market Street is a lively area which attracts many tourists from far and near. Tourists come here not only to shop and dine, they also come here to look at and appreciate the many different dying trades in the area. The repeal of the Rent Control Act has already caused many small trades to die a slow death. The inner-city area is slowly dying, too. This change will only add to Penang losing more of her natural charm.

This is only the beginning. There is still the issue of the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR). A mammoth project which we have been told will eradicate all traffic problems. Never mind that a few temples are demolished and graveyards exhumed and bulldozed, never mind that people may lose their homes and cost neighbourhoods their peace and tranquillity.

Never mind that Penang will lose her charm, character, history and green to a silly project the benefits of which are dubious. What is more important is that the pockets of a few big shots are filled and interest of voters are deferred till elections, the only time the cushioned pedestal is reserved for the public.

There is only so much of traffic an island can accommodate, how many more vehicles do they plan to bring into the island? Ring roads are not the solution to traffic woes.

When the island begins to sink because of too much development — could it be possible? Cut away all the hills and green, erosion — could this be possible? Heat, global warming effects, concrete jungle, highways and byways in the backyards, pollution, floods, etc. Where do we go after we sink?

It is ironic how the authorities wish to emulate Singapore's Little India into our historical enclave but they do not want to consider how Singapore manages her traffic system using sustainable transport options. This is a case of mixed-up priorities.

We are moving into a realm of 'concrete-isation' and artificial development. Development which is meant to rob us of our culture, identity and history. When we have finally developed everything within our sight, what else do we have left to give to our children to appreciate and enjoy.

When all that is left of Penang are only in memories, photographs and items in museums, is this how we would like to remember Penang by?