Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has warned members of the public to be wary about NGOs that have adopted the BN line in opposing the proposed RM6 billion integrated road system.

"Some so-called independent NGOs have adopted the BN line and aligned themselves with the BN - you know which organisations these are, they are playing on the sentiments of the people," Lim said at the launch of the Bukit Bendera election centre last night.

"We invited them to come and talk, we had dialogues since 2011; they never attended once and yet they criticise us for doing these projects in a rushed manner," he added.

lim guan eng Lim ( left ) said these NGOs have also adopted the BN line of accusing the state of not having an accountable open tender process for the project, which includes an undersea tunnel linking the island to the mainland.

"That is why I say, in this election, do not think we are going to win. It is still uncertain," he said during his talk at Bangkok Lane.

"When BN has aligned itself to some of these NGOs, they become very dangerous. They look very independent, but they are talking the BN talk," he said.

"Be careful with these NGOs. Can or not? Can or not?" he asked the 200-strong crowd, to a resounding “yes”.

Later, Lim told journalists that the NGOs have become dangerous because during this general election period, they have become "hostile forces".

NGOs like Penang Forum and the Consumers Association Penang (CAP) have fiercely opposed the project slated for completion in 2025.

While the Penang Forum has attended a dialogue and a public forum with him, Lim said that CAP had failed to do so.

The BN and the NGOs have criticised the state for rushing into the deal, while questioning the project's impact on the environment and the RM2 special purpose vehicle - Consortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd - set up to oversee the four companies’ tasked to build the roads.

Lim had quashed their allegations by saying that the companies' total paid up capital amounted to about RM4.5 billion.

Federal gov’t ‘uncooperative’

He said the contract was yet to be signed with the consortium, pending a proper environment impact assessment study.

Meanwhile, Lim said the state government would delay constructing  the tunnel if Pakatan Rakyat wins federal power.

NONE All along, Lim has defended the need to implement the mega project, stressing that the state cannot improve public transport as the federal government has jurisdiction over the area, and has so far been "uncooperative".

Last night, Lim promised Penangites that the state would endeavour to build trams on the island and across the first Penang bridge if Pakatan manages to seize Putrajaya in the coming polls.

 

"But still, if you look at the Transport Master Plan, we need a third link between 2025-2030," he noted.

He queried, "In case we do not win federal power, what are you going to do? Are you going to waste time? Are you going to let the federal government choke you by not allowing public transport? No! I refuse to accept that situation!"

Lim then continued to criticise the NGOs for not making noises even though toll charges for the first Penang bridge had been extended from 30 to 45 years.

He also took them to task for not opposing the previous government for giving away land for as low as RM1 per square foot to private developers.

He claimed that this is because the NGOs have also questioned Lim for exchanging 110 acres of prime land in Tanjung Pinang to Consortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd for the construction of the road project.

"BN will get these NGOs together to play with the people’s sentiments and oppose the people-centric government of Pakatan," said Lim.

"Only you can save Pakatan, and only you can save Penang from BN’s return to power," he added, triggering loud cheers from the audience.

The three projects comprise a 4.2km bypass from Gurney Drive and Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, a 4.6km bypass between Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu and Bandar Baru Air Itam, a 12km paired road from Jalan Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang, and the 6.5km Penang-Butterworth undersea tunnel.