Penang Forum's launch of a "better, cheaper and faster" transport master plan (TMP) yesterday irked some members of the state's Transport Council.

Penang Chinese Chambers of Commerce (PCCC) Heritage and Tourism division head Michael Geh said he was not informed about the matter although he is also a member of the Penang Transport Council (PTC).

"We all are part of the PTC, why did they hold a press conference without notifying us?" Geh asked in a statement to the media.

"If anyone took the information from the PTC and holds a press conference without informing other NGO representatives, it could be considered as unethical and unfair to the other members," Geh added.

"The press conference conducted by the four representatives from Penang Forum cannot represent the entire NGO community, not to mention all Penangites," he stressed.

"I urge them to present what had been said today during the next PTC meeting, so all council members can give their comments," Geh added.

Yesterday, Penang Forum representatives Shahrom Ahhmat, Aliran's Anil Netto, Penang Heritage Trust's Khoo Salma Nasution, and Penang Island City councillor Lim Mah Hui launched an alternative plan which they claimed would cost one-third of the state's mega TMP.

The group urged Penangites to sign a petition on their website to ask the state to consider their alternative plan.

They viewed the state's RM27 billion TMP as less integrated and more costly, adding that it did not comply with recommendations in the 2011 Halcrow Report, a state-NGO collaboration that had cost RM3 million.

They also criticised the state's financial model of carrying out 4,100 acres of reclamation in the southern post of the island to fund the TMP.

'Don't split hairs'

Meanwhile, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Penang chairperson Ooi Eng Hock appealed to Penang Forum not to have a "hairsplitting" mentality

"Please don't, for the sake of Penangites' future, or else no single plan is going to be successful," Ooi said in a statement.

"At this moment, everyone should remain calm and let the federal government approve the master plan as soon as possible," he added.

Ooi said the state government plans to hold public consultations over a period of two to three months.

"It is still not too late to raise any comments by then," he added.

'Why not earlier?'

Ooi said Penang Forum should have submitted their proposal for an alternative TMP during the request for proposal exercise, "if they were really capable".

He claimed Penang Forum comprised many outsiders as members, urging them to "please respect the wish of Penangites to move forward and connect to the whole world".

"I hope they will look at the issue maturely," Ooi said.

Ooi advised those who do not want Penang to develop to consider migrating and residing in small towns.

"This is because the Penang transport master plan will not only provide public transport, but act as the future economy growth engine while the service industry is booming."

Meanwhile when asked at a press conference yesterday, Penang state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow said he will only respond after going through Penang Forum's report.

"I need some time to read the report first. Anyway, it is our approach to deal with all the feedback with an open heart."