Be transparent about Pan Island Link 1, Penang govt urged

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has been urged to be transparent on the proposed Pan Island Link 1 (PIL1) highway project, which is set to change Penang island’s landscape.

Non-governmental organisation (NGO) Citizens Awareness Chant Group said people had voiced their concerns on the possible impact of the project.

Its adviser, Yan Lee, said many elderly folk had consulted them on whether the project, during construction and upon completion, would have an adverse impact on them.

No one, he said, knew what the project would look like, where it would run through and where the affected areas were, which led to unverified photos and graphics being shared on social media.

“The ‘uncles and aunties’ are asking if heavy vehicles will fall on their houses in the event of accidents.

“This is why we have been fighting for a public consultation on the project, so that all these queries can be answered.

“Just remember that more than 90 per cent of the people of Penang have given the strongest mandate yet to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s administration.

“And under the New Malaysia, the authorities are answerable to the people,” he said.

Yan said they were not against any development projects, but hoped that public engagements could be carried out.

He said although there was a public display of the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, regular Penangites did not understand its technical contents.

“We hope that a townhall session can be held by year’s end, before the start of the project.”

On Thursday, Chow issued a statement saying the Penang government was open to holding public consultation with the people for the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) project, which features the PIL1, among others.

He had also hit out at the inaccurate representation of the PIL1 highway project by several NGOs.

The 20km PIL1 is part of the three main roads included in PTMP.

The highway was expected to reduce travelling time from Persiaran Gurney to the Penang International Airport to only 15 minutes, compared with the current travel time of between 45 minutes and an hour.

The EIA for PIL1 is up for public display for 30 days ending Aug 30, at 10 locations, including the National Library, Environment and Natural Resources Ministry in Putrajaya, Penang Island City Council, apart from Department of Environment and the state government’s website.