Penang CM rubbishes Najib’s comparison of PIL 1 with ECRL project
GEORGE TOWN: It is “misguided” to compare the cost of the proposed Pan Island Link 1 (PIL 1) project here with the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and the KinraraDamansara Expressway (Kidex), as all three developments involve different set-ups.
This was Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s response to accusations made by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on the 19.5km PIL 1 project, the estimated cost of which has now increased.
Chow said Najib, without strong grounds, made a like-forlike comparison and contrasted the cost per km between a highway and railway — which could mislead the public.
“I feel his allegations are misguided, as the comparison made was not right. One cannot compare an apple to an orange.
“Najib cannot compare the PIL 1 project with the ECRL as the former is an elevated highway with a tunnel structure, while the latter is a rail system with a tunnel,” he said before the start of the state legislative assembly sitting yesterday.
Chow said the PIL 1 project involved twin tunnels, which were almost three times the size of the ECRL, which comprises only a single tunnel.
He also said that in terms of viaducts, the PIL 1 is a six-lane highway while the ECRL is a twintrack railway with the PIL 1 viaduct almost 2.5 times the size of the ECRL’s viaduct.
“All PIL 1 work packages will be awarded by open tender for full transparency and equity, while the ECRL (was done) via direct negotiations.
“As for funding, PIL 1 is fully self-funded via the Penang South Reclamation Scheme, which will not unduly burden the public, while the ECRL (was launched through a loan from another country, thus financed by public funds.)
“In terms of the environment, PIL 1 will be built in an urbanised setting to alleviate congestion in a dense city environment, while the ECRL is a greenfield project,” he said.
Chow also stressed that the PIL 1 cost was only preliminary and would only be finalised after open competitive tenders were awarded to qualified work package contractors.