RECYCLING PROMISES: Penang monorail back on track?

THE monorail project for Penang seems to be back on track after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak announced on Saturday that it was among measures under consideration to solve traffic congestion in the state. The caveat, however, is that the people of Penang have to "return their trust" to Barisan Nasional (BN) if they want to have it in place.

This announcement during his recent visit represents a U-turn after his predecessor Datuk Seri (now Tun) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's administration had shelved the RM2 billion project as provided for in the Ninth Malaysian Plan (9MP). This happened when the 9MP's original allocation for Penang, totalling RM4.862 billion, was cut to just RM1.452 billion in a "mid-term review".

The removal of funds coerced the scrapping of the monorail project and the RM1.5 billion Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR). An incensed Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had reportedly described the reduction in monies as akin "to sabotaging the economy of Penang".

He was rebuffed by the then second finance minister (now minister in the PM''s Department) Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop saying that "the federal government has to deal with bigger things like running the country and battling the rising prices of things".

Questions also arose about the economic feasibility of such a huge project which can potentially cost billions of tax payers' money.

Taking the Kuala Lumpur monorail as a guide, the country's first 8.6km single-track rail system was built to the tune of RM1.18 billion, amounting to roughly RM137 million per km.

Statistics from the Transport Ministry showed ridership to be just over six million passengers for the third quarter of 2012.

However, it should be noted that the government had failed to create a comprehensive rail system in Kuala Lumpur which could provide commuters scope to reach destinations across the capital, as is the case of neighbouring Singapore or Hong Kong.

Currently, Penang has a population of about 1.5 milllion divided almost equally between the island and the mainland. It should be assumed that the monorail will be situated on the island, given its cultural, historical, political and economic significance.

But where on the island? The Unesco heritage zone in George Town may be out of the question given the 18m or five-storey height limit. The system could, of course, be located underground but the costs would increase tremendously. There is also the environmental impact to be considered when constructing the monorail.

It is obvious that the announcement has met positive response. However, some pragmatic deliberation by all concerned should preclude the chest-thumping and exuberance.

Cooler heads must prevail in this project which will have a profound impact on life in Penang. The question "Do we need it?" must be asked and answered sincerely as the monorail should not be seen as the silver bullet for easing traffic congestion.

The impact of the monorail, especially on everyday life, should not be underestimated and must be factored in deliberations on whether the monorail is indeed the best solution for Penang and her residents who eat, live, work and play in the Pearl of the Orient.

After all, if the monorail is not utilised to its fullest extent due to proper location and placement, the authorities end up subsidising the operating cost by dipping into the public's pockets.

Numbers from state-linked think-tank Penang Institute show manufacturing to be the dominant economic activity so the monorail may be located near the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone to maximise potential commuter-traffic.

This is a huge project whose construction will precipitate significant impact on the island and its community.

-thesundaily