LETTER | I refer to the letter Penang Transport Master Plan makes financial sense.

Am I the only Penangite who finds the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTPM) issue confusing? Who is right, the state government or Penang Forum?

On the one hand, the state government says that the RM46 billion PTPM will not cost Penangites a single sen as it will be paid for from the sale of reclaimed land under the Penang South Reclamation Project.

On the other hand, Penang Forum says that the RM46 billion bill is too high and will not even solve the traffic problems. It has offered some basic ideas for a better, cheaper, faster transport roadmap.

So the disagreement is not about having a transport masterplan but what kind of master plan. Both parties and every Penangite wants a solution to the traffic problems.

It is not quite correct for the state government to say that the PTMP is cost-free because there are “other costs” associated with massive land reclamation such as costs to the environment, fishermen's livelihood and higher fish prices for consumers.

Whatever one's views of Penang Forum, it is a civil society organisation. So there is no ulterior motive behind its stand. Lately, it suggested that the PTMP be reviewed by an independent transport consultant.

That is a reasonable suggestion.

We need to ensure that our transport masterplan is the right one in terms of price and implementation.

Thus having experts to have a second look at the PTPM is the ideal solution.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.