Penang MCA Youth has accused the Penang government of planning to build the "most expensive" highway in Malaysia ever - the Pan Island Link 1.

According to Penang MCA Youth leader Michael Lee, the numbers cited by Penang exco member Chow Kon Yeow - a RM7.5 billion price tag for a 19.5km highway - would translate to RM385 million per kilometre.

"This cost is 140 percent more than the planned Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (KIDEX) in Selangor (it cost RM 161 million/km), which DAP elected representatives claimed was the most expensive highway in Malaysia three years ago," he said in a statement today.

He also questioned if the state government had consulted the Federal Public Works Department (JKR) on a cheaper alternative.

Lee said it would appear that Pakatan Harapan's major infrastructure projects, particularly those in Penang, costs significantly more than similar projects be the federal government.

Along with the Bayan Lepas LRT and three roads, the proposed highway is one of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) projects approved by the state government so far.

The PTMP, the second largest infrastructure project in Malaysia after the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, was initially estimated to cost RM27 billion.

The figure was later revised to RM46 billion after more projects were added. However, these projects need to be green lit by the federal government.

To finance the plan, three artificial islands will be built and then sold to private developers.

Previously, the state government had taken a RM1 billion loan from the Export Import Bank of China to service the PTMP, without first discussing it in the state assembly.

The South Reclamation Scheme (SRS) Consortium, a joint venture between Gamuda (60 percent stake), Ideal Property Development Sdn Bhd (20 percent stake) and Loh Phoy Yen Sdn Bhd (20 percent stake), has been appointed to deliver the PTMP.