The Penang government will go ahead with its RM6.3 billion integrated road system and undersea tunnel project, even at the risk of votes being lost in the next general election.

"We want to ensure economic growth for the next 20 years. We are a responsible government which invests in the future," Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng told a press conference today.

"These infrastructure projects are not for profit but to avoid traffic congestion. We are willing to win the future (even) at the risk of losing votes.

“We do not want to be a do-nothing government. It is enough for Penang to have had a do-nothing government for 20 years (prior to 2008).”

O NONE n Sunday, Lim had held a public dialogue during which he had been questioned on the details of the tender award .

The state BN has hit out at Lim for awarding the tender so quickly, also questioning the financial capacity and credibility of the four companies under a consortium that has been set up as a special purpose vehicle for the project.

 

Lim noted that younger people in Penang have shown support for the project as they do not want to spend time being stuck in traffic jams.

"We are willing to continue to engage with those who protest but we have to make a decision," he said.

Two more dialogues planned

The state government is organising another dialogue on March 19, this time in Mandarin, at the Penang Chinese Town Hall. Invitations have been sent to all Chinese associations and NGOs, but members of the public may participate as well.

A session in Bahasa Malaysia will be held in Butterworth at a later date.

NONE Asked to explain the purpose of the dialogues when the state government has decided on the project, Lim said: "We want to refine our position. We have been holding dialogues since 2011.

“The contract for the project has not be formalised. We have a few months more to go and things can change after the general election."

He denied the claim that the Transport Master Plan did not make provisions for a tunnel, and said that this is mentioned in the document.

The project covers a 6.5km undersea tunnel from Gurney Drive to Bagam Ajam in Butterworth; 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.