Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai has been told not to act like a colonialist when he sets foot in Penang, or to dictate what the state can or cannot do.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today expressed regret that Liow had "arrogantly" rejected the proposal for the Penang Sky Cab, which is a cable car project.

The sky cab, to be developed by Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB), is a 4.8km cable car system proposed by the state government in March last year to link the island with Butterworth.

Liow, who is also MCA president, said on Sunday that the Penang Port Authority (LPPP) did not agree with the idea for fear it might affect the port activities.

Liow had reportedly informed the state government that the proposed alignment for the Sky Cab route would affect the port.

"Liow could so arrogantly reject the Sky Cab proposal, even though it would be developed by a federal government-linked company," Lim said.

"If he can reject this, what more a Penang-proposed project?" he  asked.

"Liow should not act like a colonialist when he comes to Penang, and tell us what we can or cannot do.

"He probably rejected the proposal due to his political vengeance, but politics should not influence his decision," Lim added

He also denied that his administration was informed about Liow's stand on the proposal, which is one of the projects under the RM27 billion Penang Transport Master Plan.

The master plan also includes the construction of a 6.5km long undersea tunnel between the island and mainland Penang and three expressways.