The state government appears to be "nit-picking" on citizen groups concerned with the controversial alignment of the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) project, social activist Ong Boon Keong lamented today.

Ong, who was arrested for allegedly distributing a newsletter without permit at a public forum on the island's transportation problems on Saturday, said the authorities were trying to harass those who criticise the RM1.02 billion project.

"There are definitely big shots behind this. It [his arrest and police presence] was meant only to intimidate people not to attend the forum," Ong, who is Save Ourselves (SOS) coordinator, told malaysiakini .

"When I was brought to the police station in Jalan Patani, all I was asked to do was watch television. They only spent five minutes taking statements from me," he added.

On Saturday, Ong was apprehended by the police after the two-and-half hour forum on 'Penang's future Cars or People Friendly' which he organised at SOS headquarters in Lorong Prangin, a centre that was set up to assist residents affected by the repeal of the Rent Control Act.

Some 20 personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department and Special Branch had waited from 7pm outside the headquarters where the forum was held.

Ong, however, was released about two hours later, after DAP member of parliament for Tanjung, Chow Kon Yeow, posted bail for him. Ong was also accompanied by Penang Keadilan deputy chief and lawyer Cheah Kah Peng.

Distributing newsletters

The police arrested him when he was distributing the second edition of SOS newsletter "Alamak Penang A Publication of Penang, by Penangites and for Penang" to those who attended the forum, including residents affected by the PORR project.

His guest speaker, Paul Barter from Australia, who is the liaison officer for the Sustainable Transport Action Network for Asia and the Pacific, and another speaker, Ganesh Rasagam, an independent transport researcher and consultant, were not arrested.

The forum was to be originally held at the Dewan Sri Pinang but was cancelled abruptly by a hall official without reason, said Ong.

The northern edition of The Star reported yesterday that George Town CID Team A chief ASP Somsak Din Keliaw confirmed that Ong was arrested under Section 11(2) of the Printing and Publication Act for distributing the newsletter without a permit.

Ong maintained that his newsletter was a one-off publication that did not require a permit.

Project too costly

The PORR courted controversy when it was unveiled recently by the Malaysian Highway Authority.

Penang residents claim that the project, which will affect 172 structures including private homes, places of worship, graves and shoplots, was too costly and will not solve the island's perpetual traffic problems.

In an immediate response, Cheah said that he concurred with Ong that there was "a black hand behind all this obstruction and it comes from those who stand to benefit from the project".

"Ong must have stepped on somebody's toes. The police should not be a hindrance to democratic forums organised by concerned citizens against PORR," he said.

"This is another version of state pressure on individuals, political parties and non-governmental organisation who want to highlight the truth," he added.

Cheah urged Penang Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon ( photo ) to order the police not to interfere in public forums organised by the people, otherwise it only shows "how limited his power is".

PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali said this development was "highly disturbing as it reveals a crude attempt to stifle public debate on a vital issue".

"The fact that the authorities are not prepared to tolerate dissent on an issue like transport is a reflection of the extent to which our fundamental liberties and rights are being trampled," he said.

Limited capacity

Syed Husin said the capacity of the PORR to ease the traffic congestion by absorbing some of traffic from the existing roads is extremely limited.

He added that the real and only solution to the problem of traffic congestion and urban crawls, as all these studies reveal, is a comprehensive and efficient system of public transport.

Meanwhile, Gerakan Sungai Pinang state assembly representative Looi Swee Cheang defended the police saying Ong was arrested because the forum was conducted without a permit.

"Police must have acted within their job specification. There is a rule of law. Distributing materials without permit can also get you into trouble," he told malaysiakini .

Looi said the state government was currently studying all the complaints submitted by residents who oppose the project and will make a representation soon.

"Anyway, when those affected receive their compensation, they will be happily laughing. It happens all the time, like during previous projects including Komtar, Jelutong Expressway and Penang Bridge," he added.