It's good and bad news for Penangites.

The good news is that the federal government has decided to restore the RM40 million project to upgrade Penang Hill funicular train service under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).

nor mohamed yakcop However, the bad news for the DAP-led government is that the Barisan Nasional administration would not revive the shelved mega projects Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) and monorail projects.

This was revealed by Second Finance Minister Nor Mohamed Yakcop after launching the temporary Penang Sentral Terminal (PST) for buses, taxis and hired cars in Butterworth today.

According to Nor Mohamed, the federal government decided to revive the Penang Hill project because it is a "natural, sensitive and emotional heritage landmark for Penangites" like the ferry service.

The minister who is also Tasek Gelugor MP had assisted in changing the mind of Penang-born Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to restore the project, which was dropped during the mid-term review of 9MP early this month, citing lack of funds.

Fond memories

Nor Mohamed said the project would be completed on a fast track policy since it was a vital heritage tourist attraction to Penang.

"The Penang train service invokes fond memories to many Penangites like me, present prime minister and even the former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad," he said.

However, he affirmed the federal government's decision to cancel the RM2 billion monorail, RM1.5 billion PORR and RM1.1 billion Mengkuang Dam expansion projects still stands.

guan eng visit selangor 070308 guan eng It appears the decision stays despite numerous pleas by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to either restore them or replace with cash for the state government to implement projects of its own for the benefit of Penangites.

Under the 9MP, Penang was originally allocated RM6.152 billion or 3.1 percent of the total RM200 billion budget.

However, after the review, it was slashed to RM1.452 billion or 0.6 percent of the increased total allocation of RM230 billion.

Although relieved to have the Penang Hill project back on track, Lim said he would press on to revive the shelved projects and another RM60 million originally allotted to carry out minor infrastructure projects.

The state government will be tabling a motion at the legislative assembly sitting on Monday to urge the federal government to revive all projects and funds originally allotted under 9MP.

Under the Penang Hill project, a new one-stretch cable railway track will be laid between the lower and upper stations, doing away with the present middle station.

More new buses

The track will be laid in bigger cages to accommodate larger and longer funicular trains. lim hock seng

State executive councillor Lim Hock Seng thanked the federal government for reviving the project for "it would be a major value-added international heritage and eco-tourism attractions."

The federal government has also set aside RM20 million as initial fund for the state government to commence the project by year end.

Another RM100 million will also be set aside for RapidPenang to buy another 200 buses by year end adding to existing 150 buses to cater to 57 routes across the state.

Since its inception last July, RapidPenang has emerged as the state top bus provider catering 60 per cent of public transport needs and ferrying 48,000 Penangites daily.

The main RM2.3 billion PST project near the Butterworth ferry berth will be developed by Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB) in two phases – the first consisting a terminal for buses, hired cars and taxis will be operational in 2011, and the second, a commercial complex, is scheduled to be ready by 2015.

PST will be a major public transportation hub for the imminent Northern Economic Development Corridor.