Opposition continue to chide state over Penang Hill-Botanic Gardens cable car project
The opposition has not reacted well to Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow's recent announcement that work on the cable car project on Penang Hill would begin this year.
Former Umno Pulau Betong assemblyperson Muhammad Farid Saad said Penangites prefer the state government to resolve the state's transport woes instead of contributing to the crowd issue on Penang Hill.
The opposition has not reacted well to Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow's recent announcement that work on the cable car project on Penang Hill would begin this year.
Former Umno Pulau Betong assemblyperson Muhammad Farid Saad said Penangites prefer the state government to resolve the state's transport woes instead of contributing to the crowd issue on Penang Hill.
He noted that there is already an existing train system and roads up the hill, which is an iconic tourist spot in Penang.
"Besides, the CM says the feasibility studies would just be carried out this year but the Finance Ministry has already approved a budget of RM100 million for Penang Hill? Strange," Farid told Malaysiakini.
"What is so special about this project? Is it to support the Habitat? Will there be any other development on Penang Hill which warrants so much spending?" Farid (above) asked.
The Habitat is RM3 million eco-tourism project which was awarded to local engineering firm Creative Quest Sdn Bhd.
"Just because the train ran into some problems in December, should this be an excuse to implement a cable car system?
"It is better to spend the RM100 million to improve people's lives," he added.
In an exclusive report in The Star today, Chow said the state has resolved to implement an "alternative way to ascend the hill, which is through a modern cable car that connects the summit with the Penang Botanic Gardens."
Chow said this after the recent breakdown of the funicular train to Penang Hill on Dec 21, which caught the attention of the Yang DiPertuan Agong, who was visiting the island with his Queen.
He said that the link will be among several infrastructure projects expected to take off this year besides the Light Rail Transit and the Penang South Reclamation.
Both projects are integral parts of the RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan.
"If things go as planned, construction work on the cable car could begin by the end of this year, and that a pre-feasibility studies of the project are ongoing while a full technical study will be carried out as the next step," Chow was quoted as saying.
Activists have warned the state not to repeat mistakes of the previous BN administration of overdevelopment on Penang Hill.
Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong (above) said the party had no objection to any development plan.
"But any development must take into account whether the people can benefit, and will this plan destroy the environment?" Oh asked, referring to the same report.
He said Penangites need to know whether the Environmental Impact Assessment for the project has been approved.
He asked about the cost of the project and where would the money be coming from.
"All these must be explained clearly. There should not be any black-box operations," Oh said.
Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) said it would be better to look into improving the current single funicular train system as it probably faces regular breakdown due to poor maintenance.
PSM central committee member Teh Yee Cheu (above) said the state government should not take this opportunity to expedite the installation of a new cable car system to boost "mass development" on Penang Hill.
"Huge mega-development would definitely destroy the environment and natural resources on Penang Hill.
"Both flora and fauna will be affected, as well as water, the eco-system and water catchment area, this would eventually lead to raw water shortage for Penangites," Teh cautioned.
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