The Penang public have mixed feelings about a planned RM6.3 billion four-phase integrated transport system for Penang. They support the three road packages, but are concerned about the undersea tunnel to link the island with Butterworth.

At a public dialogue held at the Town Hall yesterday with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, 24 participants stepped up with questions after Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) traffic expert A Rajenderan briefed the audience on the project and the tender award.

NONE The project covers a 6.5km undersea tunnel from Gurney Drive to Bagam Ajam in Butterowrth, 4.2km Pesiaran Gurney-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass, a 4.6km Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway-Bandar Baru Air Itam bypass, and a four-lane 12km road linking Tanjung Bungah with Teluk Bahang.

MPPP councillor Lim Mah Hui (left) said he supports the chief minister but that he was not ready for the tunnel.

"... Are you ready for the tunnel?” he asked the audience, who responded with a resounding “No!"

When he repeated the question, a group at the back of the hall shouted “Yes”, but it was not loud enough to drown the louder “No”.

Guan Eng later explained that the state has no choice but to propose the project, slated for completion in 2025 as "public transport is not an option due to non-cooperation” from the federal government.

Lim said Gerakan had supported a similar project by then-works minister S Samy Vellu when BN administered Penang prior to 2008.

However, state BN Youth information chief H'ng Khoon Leng refuted the claim, shouting "No! Don't lie. Don't be a liar!"

NONE Guan Eng did not respond to the outburst but went on to express his annoyance, saying that those who have raised issues were the ones who do not use public transport.

"We have done several public consultations as far back as 2011. We have done this in Seberang Perai as well, and the response was positive.

"I do not want the island to be reserved exclusively for those who can afford,” he said, implying that those who protested have an “islander mindset”.

‘Mayor is sleeping on the job’

Developer Michael Geh, who was the first to take the microphone, told the CM: “Enough of talk, just do it.”

Activist Ong Eu Soon blasted Lim for the miserable condition of the state’s public transportation system.

"The mayor is sleeping on the job! Explain why we have such a poor public transportation system," he demanded, referring to MPPP chief Pattahiyah Ismail.

Tony Phuah, a Penangite, queried the state’s urgency in awarding the tender to Konsortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd.

"Why not try your best to change the federal government? Why plan your failure beforehand? If we change government, would you cancel the tunnel project?" he asked, directing the questions at Guan Eng.

NONE Boo Soon Yew, a motorist who uses congested roads in Greenlane, welcomed the project.

"I know so many who are stuck for long hours in traffic jams. I support the project because it will help disperse traffic," Boo said, urging that an environmental impact assessment study be conducted.

PY Yeoh from Tanjung Tokong also backed proposal, saying it would bring development to the northern region of the country and ease traffic congestion along the tourist belt.

Penang Consumer Protection Association president Koris Atan said he supports the project and called for water taxis to be incorporated in the Master Transport Plan.

Resident David Cheah said the project would work for Penang as it did in Sydney, adding that he knows why the CM has agreed to the tram system - which is a success in Melbourne.

NONE Penang Transport Council member Leong Yueh Kwong expressed worry that, despite assurances, there were no provisions for the monitoring of projects, citing the Tanjung Tokong and Tanjung Bungah cases, where development cut through hills.

Aliran president Francis Loh told Malaysiakini that it was "good on the part of the CM to meet the public and answer the various questions posed to him".

Although former chief minister Koh Tsu Koon was often criticised for not conducting such dialogues, he did meet residents before 2004 over the Penang Outer-Ring Road project, which was later shelved.

Gerakan's Pulau Tikus coordinator Rowena Yap defended the former state government, saying it had usually held closed-door consultations and meetings with the people, and that these were not publicised.