==> Pls visit new site at http://malaysia-today.net/ <==

But some residents are pleased as they say the costly plans were controversial

The Straits Times 

The Penang government, led by the three-month-old Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition, said it was unhappy with the decision to shelve the monorail and Penang Outer Ring Road (Porr) projects, and would have to study other ways to reduce congestion.

But others gave the thumbs up, saying the projects had been saddled with controversy from the start due to high costs and allegations that well-connected businessmen would benefit.

The government on Thursday shelved the RM1.5 billion (S$625 million) Porr highway and the RM2 billion monorail, saying it was diverting the funds to more 'people-centric' projects.

The opposition and the PR government in Penang criticised the move because the industrialised state needed the projects to reduce worsening traffic congestion and upgrade the ageing transport system.

'Without help from the federal government, the state will have to look for its own solutions,' Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said on Thursday.

He said the shelving of the projects was an act of politically motivated revenge as Penang fell to the opposition in the general election in March.

The charge was denied by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, who said essential projects would be carried out whether or not a state is under opposition control.

Datuk Teng Hock Nan, the state secretary for Parti Gerakan, a member of the ruling coalition, said a delay would hamper plans to turn Penang into a northern logistics hub.

But others are gleeful. Influential Penang blogger Anil Netto wrote: 'All those who cherish sustainable and cost-efficient public transport for Penang will be celebrating.'

He and others who have been opposed to the two projects say they prefer trams to be built, replacing the old, smoky buses and taxis that do not use meters.

Telecommunications worker G. Baskeran gave another reason why it was good the projects have been shelved.

'If the projects are carried out, not everyone will benefit because they are only for those who live in the towns,' he was quoted by Utusan Malaysia newspaper as saying. The projects did not involve mainland Penang, which includes many rural districts.

Comments (14)

...
written by ctchoolaw, June 28, 2008 07:52:30

this is the final nail in Gerakan's coffin. penangites now know that they are "running dogs". http://ctchoolaw.********.com/

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 15

...
written by mmrokay, June 28, 2008 07:56:12

Nothing to worry ? everyone knows they will collapse. it is not million miles away to 16 Sep 2008. Thereon, Penang will prosper.

report abuse

disagree 2

agree 14

...
written by binarytan, June 28, 2008 07:59:55

BN will collapse without any longer.

Look at the idiot PM term review of 9MP which still emphasize on cronyism, on paper still says wanna to bring up the Malay stakes. It is yet again another move to group more cronies by KJ and gang.

No worry Penang, idiot federal leader will not last long.

report abuse

disagree 2

agree 20

...
written by Michael Pg, June 28, 2008 08:00:06

I would recommend that Penang Pakatan government must come out with its investment arm or Create a pool of financial resourses by creating a Penang Korperasi. whereby the investor will invest in this korperasi for loaning the money to Penang government to finance local project that will benefit penang people. for example :
Penang Korperasi Supermarket: cheaper food product then the existing foreigner supermarket which too much High Profit margin,
Penang Korperasi tourism resort : like singapore Pasir Ris. tourism resort. for foreigner and member with discount.
Penang Korperasi Toll: take over all the concession toll in penang. and charge a min. amount toll and use our local MPPP and JKR for maintenance to reduce the toll charge.
Penang Korperasi Transport : Integrated all the local public transport. must controll taxi, bus and tram into a single entity of transport system. oh ya, clear up the Pesta area into a full Public bus and express bus area. and close down the Komtar bus station. (that area is not touris friendly area. too messy) demolish the Pesta building because u only held Pesta every end of year, is a waste of public fund for this building maintenance.

and Of course the Korperasi will earn some interest of loaning the fund. it is like a big mother company that we Penangite and Resident of Penang will benefit the end result. rather then we have to depend on the federal funding. secondly Penang development progress will not be hamper everytime the federal is changing government or due to weak local state governemtn like our Gerakan x-CM Mr Koh.

report abuse

disagree 1

agree 12

...
written by MsiaCTzen, June 28, 2008 08:50:25

The Straits Times is just try to paint a good image on the scape project by Federal Government. BIAS

Answer this :
1.Is PORR and Monorail or trams not "People Center".
2.Is it not that these project being cancel due to LGE pressure to have it made public, show transparency and accountability which the Federal is not accustomed to.
3.Why pick two comment,try reading Malaysia Today Blog, There are negative and positive and even fantastic suggestion. Straits Times Bias.

Just to comment on Anil Netto 'All those who cherish sustainable and cost-efficient public transport for Penang will be celebrating.' Sustainable and cost-efficient public transport means Maintenance and schdule: Present state government have CAT what had the previous state government have nothing but cronies and sleeping lazy uneducated employee.

Telecommunications worker G. Baskeran reason being that only ra'ayat in town benefits and not the rural area. This is due to the Federal Government mentality "who can pay more will get it". they have no sense of intergation. e.g. LRT and Buses in KL (Rapid,Star,monorail and buses)nothing fits. All individual cronies looking into their self interest. Blame the Government transport dept. Federal Government have never put the interest and safety of the ra'ayat in their agenda except their cronies. Buses and LRT will being all NEW. Pakatan Ra'ayat will be able to deliver lowwer cost,better services and comfort due to CAT.

Need i say more.

Read an article of MRT delay due to workers error. MRT(s'pore) was FINE S400,000 (if my memory serve me right) for about seven hours delay. Can Malaysia Government do that.

I doubt.

report abuse

disagree 1

agree 7

...
written by Commonsenses, June 28, 2008 08:52:27

Latest news in Insider today. Thousands of Bumi contractors hit by high steel price, so the latest withdrawal of fuel subsidy and savings of 30 bill will be used to support these cronies. This is UMNO policy, rob the poor to susidise the rich and minority. Guys just watch they will raise more VO, so that thay can take 3 wives and drive mercs.

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 11

...
written by cahaya, June 28, 2008 09:08:47

Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister’s Department today said that the RM2 billion Penang Monorail and RM1.5 billion Penang Outer Ring Road have been shelved...[from Malaysiakini]

What they probably mean by "not people-centred" is "not UMNOpeople-centred".
So that is why some projects are put on hold.

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 10

...
written by cahaya, June 28, 2008 09:13:22

A blessing in disguise. Penang does not need a monorail. The Penang Outer Ring Road, maybe.

Penangites can work together to solve their traffic problems on Penang island as well as improve transportation on mainland Penang. Some suggestions:

1. study re-introducing trams in Georgetown city area (not a new idea. Penang once had trams!)
2. establish a new bus company to better serve both island and mainland Penang
3. add more buses and better routes, introduce park and ride system
4. improve traffic flow along major roads (e.g. reduce traffic lights on busy roads like Jalan Burmah, Datuk Keramat, and "Green Lane", no right turns allowed at bottleneck junctions, etc)
5. reduce traffic congestion during peak hours (e.g. private companies stagger working hours of their staff)
6. encourage car-pooling by neighbours for work, shopping, recreation, etc.

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 10

...
written by temenggong, June 28, 2008 09:28:24

Trams, hovercrafts and metered taxis! Thats it! Far more romantic too. This is affordable by the state and does not need federal assistance.

The second bridge is a must! The federal govt dare not oppose the second bridge as the china company would be willing to solely undertake the bridge on a built-operate-transfer basis.

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 6

...
written by SeriousLy, June 28, 2008 09:37:21

I think is best to shelve all projects including the bridge! It's the cost is too high! Better change the bridge to mono rail! I think the monorail will be fantastic!

report abuse

disagree 1

agree 2

...
written by Commonsenses, June 28, 2008 09:57:34

LGE, if u r reading this, please find alternative transport modes and implement it free from Federal government financing. There are many cheap methods to explore from, such as in many cities and maybe in san francisco.It will be PR advantage to show to the federal government that if u have a government free of corruption u can do wonders with limited resources.

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 8

...
written by Sagaladoola, June 28, 2008 10:14:00

Should we change the Federal Government?

Taking this as example, the projects may not be allowed to continue because the projects were temporarily halted in the Federal (BN-led) level. So, perhaps, if we want such projects to resume, we may need to change the Federal Government to a new one, i.e. Pakatan Rakyat.

What do you think? We don't really have much choice.

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 3

...
written by Old Man Jasin, June 28, 2008 11:07:54

If after evaluation by the PR government , there is a urgent need to carry out the two projects , then by all means they should be carried out as soon as possible , thro the most transparency mode . For tomorrow the cost will further increase .

Just look at those advance countries with vision , who carried out such transport system , they are enjoying the fruit of their investment , Not all projects will benefit all the citizens . But then we should weigh the benefits as a whole.

As long as not only a single race or a single section of the population shall benefit all the development.

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 1

...
written by wood, June 28, 2008 11:13:58

YB LGE and team, When there is a will there is a way and When the going gets tough the tough gets going ! Suggest you ask them to scrap the 2nd bridge as well !
Penang rakyat will make do with what we have ! Many suggestions had been given by the rakyat. Study them and implement them when your team is ready. Penang rakyat do not need to beg !

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 1