PENANG DUN | Jason Ong (PKR-Kebun Bunga) was "attacked" at the state legislative assembly last night for his views on the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) and its component Pan-Island Link (PIL) highway which cuts across hills and parks.

In his speech, Ong said Kebun Bunga residents were concerned as the PIL will affect the Youth Park there.

"They are concerned about the highway's impact on their lives and environment," he said, adding that such highways do not necessarily reduce traffic congestion and it is better to encourage people to use public transport.

Ong also said that the state must consider all views regarding the massive transport plan.

"So far, revenues for both bridges have suffered losses, what if that is the case also for the third-link?" Ong asked.

Phee Boon Poh (DAP-Sungai Puyu) then told Ong off for merely considering those on the island just because he lives there.

"We live on the mainland. I have to take the first bridge to come to the island, just imagine how much carbon footprint I would leave".

Sungai Puyu is located in North Seberang Perai while the first bridge is in Central Seberang Perai.

Ong then wanted to reply Phee (above) but the latter told him "I'm holding the floor now, you sit down".

Ong disagreed, but Phee said, "Whether you agree or not, you have given me the way to speak".

At this point, Speaker Law Choo Kiang intervened and told Ong, "You either give him the chance to speak or not".

"I want to stop giving the chance now," Ong replied, to which Phee said again, "you sit down".

Phee continued by lamenting that the state had always focused on developing the island and not the mainland.

"We feel like the stepchild. Besides, what would happen to Penang if the first bridge has problems? We have to (use the) second bridge in Batu Kawan to get to the island.

"This is why we need the undersea tunnel," he said, adding that a project cannot just be killed off and there needs to be a proper plan in place.

Maintaining his cool, Ong thanked Phee for his advice, adding that he was "only just a messenger".

To which Phee retorted, "So you don't have a stand. You are just a messenger but this is my statement!".

Ong urged Phee not to jump to conclusions but to consider upgrading the state's ferry service which would be cheaper.

He urged the state to review the PTMP and PIL projects as many have objected to it.

Read more:

CM: 200 buildings will be affected by Penang highway project

NGOs hold peaceful protest against Penang's PIL highway project

Ministry to hold town hall session on highway project in Penang

Ong also asked for the detailed environment impact assessment report to be reviewed by an independent party.

"We do not want our future generations to inherit our debts and mistakes due to bad projects," he said.

At this point, Chris Lee (DAP-Pulau Tikus) stood up and said that Ong was wrong as only certain quarters objected to the road projects, not everyone.

"Are you sure this is the voice of Penangites and not just certain individuals?

"Why didn't they contest in the elections? Why were you not against the PTMP when campaigning in GE14?" Lee asked.

Satees Muniandy (DAP-Bagan Dalam) agreed with Lee saying, "These are the same individuals who campaigned for a candidate in Tanjung Bungah who got only about 100 votes in GE14".

Satees was referring to the PRM candidate who obtained only 122 votes against DAP's Zairil Khir Johari in the recent general election.

Ong insisted on pushing forward public transportation and asked that the state consider a referendum on the undersea tunnel, adding people were not against the PTMP but wanted to see a viable plan to end Penang's traffic woes.

Earlier, Satees admitted that New York and London are still very crowded as the population and number of vehicles increase, but added that people can only be encouraged but not forced to take public transport.

"The third link (undersea tunnel) is not needed until 2023, you said and Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had also said the project will only start then.

"The second bridge had brought development to the south of Seberang Perai (Batu Kawan), so we support the PTMP and undersea tunnel as it will bring development to the north," Satees said.

The proposed RM46 billion PTMP involves a series of highways and transit lines including the 7.2km undersea tunnel which will connect George Town’s Pangkor Road and Bagan Ajam in Butterworth.