Directors of Peninsular Metroworks Sdn Bhd - the concessionaire for the controversial Penang Outer Ring Road (Porr) plan - has been criticised again for another project currently underway in a residential area on the island.

Ad-hoc committee on Porr coordinator Linda Lim claimed the main shareholders of PMW - who are also directors for Mensoll Corporation Sdn Bhd - is undertaking another 'problematic' development project at Island Park, Green Lane.

Mensoll is constructing a high-rise condominium and road situated on a hill slope directly behind a line of double storey linked houses at Solok Tembaga.

Lim pointed out that Umno Bukit Bendera chairperson Ahmad Ismail and businessman Goh Choon Aun are the main shareholders and proponents of PMW. They are also the main players in Mensoll.

She said the residents fear that their safety and health may be comprised due to the "dreadful performance" by Mensoll while developing the project.

"If Porr is undertaken in the same way as Mensoll is conducting its development project at Solok Tembaga, the consequence for the thousands of families beside the proposed highway will be disastrous," she said.

"In a very short time Mensoll has shown itself to be reckless and indifferent to public safety, health and comfort," she added.

Lim reiterated that PMW and Mensoll may have the same owners for "all practical purposes".

Grave concerns

She added that judging from the current performance of the company, the residents have grave concerns about the yet to be constructed Porr.

She urged the federal and state governments to reconsider Porr and review the agreement made with PMW.

She said her appeal comes in light of Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's recent advice that the state needed to take into consideration the people's concerns and complaints.

His statement was backed by Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Ting who said recently that all new development of major infrastructure projects located in environmentally sensitive areas must be referred to and approved by the National Physical Planning Council.

Further delayed

Responding to Lim's statement, Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the state will check with the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and the Malaysian Highway Authority whether it is necessary to conduct a review of large highway projects like PORR.

Koh said he was afraid that the RM1.02 billion project, which will cut through hills, residential areas, coast and parks, would be further delayed.

"In fact, when the Jelutong Expressway was delayed, most people were agitated as they were often struck in traffic jams," he said.

The directors of the company were not available for comment.

Meanwhile, malaysiakin i visited the said location and several residents complained that the contractor was using the existing back lanes and side roads, damaging these road with bulldozers.

A resident, who has lived in the area for over 20 years, claimed that social problems like theft and peeping toms, have cropped up in the area since the development started over a year ago.

Dangerous explosions

Lim echoed his grouses, saying that the developer was not able to exercise proper control over the employees.

"There have been frequent public displays of nudity by the labourers and they are defecating in the open areas around the project site, creating a public health hazard," she said.

Further lamenting about the problems in Solok Tembaga, Lim said rock blasting have been carried out less than six meters from residential houses resulting in cracks appearing in several properties.

Lim said on at least two occasions, May 13 and June 2, debris from the blasting were scattered as far as 70 meters, causing damage to several properties.

"Only good luck saved the occupant of house no.59 from certain death, when a football-size rock landed on her bed. Another woman was not so lucky; she sustained cuts, which require stitching," said Lim.

"Work is being carried out from sunrise to sunset, giving the residents no respite from the intense dust and noise. Until recently work went on even on Sundays, giving the neighbours no chance even to go for a short walk on their one day of rest," she added.