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Transport woes - sustainable Penang at a crossroads

COMMENT Councillor Chris Lee Chun Kit who represents the DAP on the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) makes some good points in his nicely written Nov 12 article that appeared in Malaysiakini on why new highways are needed for Penang. I agree with some but not all of them.

Let me take a handful of the points he brings up for brief comment. I have a goal in this, and that is that I hope to get us both on the same side: working for a better, healthier, happier life for all in Penang. We need his brains and commitment. So let's have a look:

1. More cars? Chris opens by reminding us all that Penang does not control its destiny as far as influencing car purchases and ownership both for first time owners and others updating their vehicles. He is right on target and indeed that is not good news for Penang's sustainable transport strategy.

The federal government of Malaysia is, for now at least, heavily committed to sustaining and supporting your national automotive industry. That's a simple fact and a real constraint. But hey, that's life and there are many of them - and it is the job of the decision makers and their planners who know their stuff to deal with this as best and imaginatively as possible.

2. Car use. Anyway, the issue is not one of car ownership. It is one of car use. Cars are great for those who can afford them, are able to drive them, etc, etc. But the issue here is not one of people buying cars, but of how they use them. And that's where your first class transportation strategy should start to kick in.

3. Technical excellence helps. In fact, I am willing to bet that if Penang could now come up with a world class transportation, mobility and access strategy which is at the same time cost effective, equitable and exemplary, they would probably have a far better relationship with what should be their key working partners in the nation’s capital.

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