The Penang Opposition (BN) said it is premature to object the proposed RM27 billion Transport Master Plan (TMP) as it is currently under study.

State opposition leader Jahara Abdul Hamid said it is also too early to say if she were satisfied with the briefing on the TMP today by the state government and project delivery partner SRS Consortium held in Komtar.

"We would have to look into the plan first," Jahara said at a press conference after the two-hour briefing on the TMP held for BN assemblypersons.

Accompanying her were Umno assemblymen Shariful Azhar Othman (Bertam), Mohamed Yusof Mohd Nor (Sungai Dua) and Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain Shah (Teluk Bahang).

The briefing was conducted by state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow and SRS Consortium project manager Szeto Wei Loong.

Asked if the BN assemblypersons had put forward any objections to the massive plan, Jahara said: “We don't want to oppose for the sake of opposing.”

"Such plans (to address traffic problems) including an undersea tunnel (linking the island to Butterworth) are nothing new as we have also discussed it during BN's time," Jahara said.

"However, 10 years ago, we felt the undersea tunnel was not suitable," she added.

Jahara said the current studies involving TMP will be submitted to Putrajaya in June.

But the BN representatives will now explain the TMP to the party's local leaders and affected stakeholders.

"We want to ensure that everyone will benefit from the plan which covers the island and Seberang Perai.

"Due to the proposed reclamation and building of artificial islands, the plan will impact residential homes, hills, forests and livelihood of fishermen," she added.

"The plan is supposed to solve many problems, especiallt traffic congestion but we do not want to see more problems appear because of this development," she said.

Jahara said the briefing showed that the positive outcome of the plan include investment, tourism and better transport.

"But we must also have plans in place to address the future problems which may arise from all these outcomes".

The TMP is expected to cover some 4,100 acres of reclamation in the southern post to pay for the RM27 billion plan.

The ambitious plan is supposed to link the island and mainland by three highways, light rail transit, trams, public buses and water taxis.