An activist group which has been campaigning against the construction of the Penang Outer Ring Road (Porr) plans to launch a campaign to urge voters to reject candidates who back the controversial RM1.02 billion highway project.

Central Ad Hoc No Penang Outer Ring Road committee coordinator Linda Lim, who claimed to represent some 10,000 people, said the group would go all out to urge voters not to back candidates who support the project.

"Our views are premised on the basis that any effort to tackle Penang's traffic woes must first accept the fundamental principle that cars must adapt to cities and not the other way around.

"Our motivation stems from the desire to see Penang as an island with an excellent public transport system that will ensure a proper quality of life for all, both residents and visitors," she said in a statement.

Memo to Pak Lah

On Wednesday, the committee submitted a 120-page memorandum to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi urging him to reconsider the viability of the project.

Abdullah was told to halt the project, which would affect residential homes and places or worship, and to give top priority to a sustainable transport option proposed by the committee in the memorandum.

In the memorandum, the group also called for the setting-up of a state transport commission and the drawing-up of a comprehensive transport policy complete with public input and feedback.

They also want an integrated bus service system operated by a single consortium and called for the implementation of traffic mitigation measures proposed by research group Halcrow Consultants in 1998.

Another member of the committee, Sam Sng, said the group hopes to see more serious efforts to implement a rail-based public transportation system in the state.

He also lauded Abdullah for taking the initiative to review mammoth projects based on affordability and utility.

Sng was referring to the premier's recent postponement of the RM14.5 billion double-tracking railway project.

"All these are in line with the group's values and beliefs. He (Abdullah) has given the people hope that we have a caring leader who will use his powers to ensure that the welfare of the people is not compromised," he said.

Threats will not solve problem

Meanwhile, a ruling Gerakan parliamentarian said the committee appeared to be making a 'threat' with its decision to campaign against those who support the highway project.

"It is difficult to comment about the matter as anything I say will be wrong, We need to discuss more about this issue. Threatening others will not resolve the problem," said the MP, who declined to be named, when contacted.

On Monday, Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon was quoted as saying in a news report that he has yet to receive a copy of the memorandum.

However, he said he would consider the proposals by the group as the state was "always prepared to hear positive and constructive suggestions which would benefit the people".

The state Barisan Nasional coalition, which is led by Gerakan, currently controls 30 out 33 seats. The opposition PAS, Keadilan and DAP have one seat each.

In the coming general election, which could be held in the coming months, will see an additional seven seats in Penang.