Penang Forum has urged the authorities to organise more publicity and briefings about the Penang Structure Plan 2020 so that the public can come forward and review the Plan.

The PSP2020 was put on display at several locations in Penang since Dec 1, and Penangites can view it and submit feedback to the state government until Jan 31.

However, the NGO asked that the deadline for submission of public feedback be extended by another two months in view of the festive period.

The NGO lamented that a briefing organised by the state government on Dec 8 last year was not effective.

"Questions raised from the floor were not satisfactorily answered. The consultants of the outsourced Report of Survey should be present to respond," Penang Forum said in a statement.

The NGO outlined several issues which were not adequately addressed by the briefing, at which the outsourced Report of Survey was presented by State Town and Country Planning director Mohd Anuar Maidin.

The issues included the protection of environmentally sensitive areas, the housing needs of low-income groups, open spaces and recreational areas, universal accessibility to transport and other amenities.

"Strategies to upgrade the skills level of our workforce are also not adequately addressed to ensure that Penang becomes sustainable, liveable, international and intelligent," the group said.

Zero public feedback

The NGO, a loose coalition of 14 groups, was responding to Penang executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo, who heads the state's housing, town and country planning committee.

Jagdeep raised concern over zero public feedback on the PSP2020 after a public briefing on it given on Dec 8 last year.

Meanwhile, the activists reminded the state that public participation in the planning process is enshrined in the Town and Country Planning Act of 1976 (Act 172).

"The people have a right to know and participate in planning decision-making, which could affect their communities and the neighbourhoods in which they live and work, even the price of their property," Penang Forum added.

But other than the PSP2020, Penangites are mainly concerned about the Local Area Plan, which has not been gazetted until today as the document would reveal the number of units allowed to be built, hillslope development and traffic situation in their areas.