Prime Minister Najib Razak may have expressed his disapproval for the Penang South reclamation project, which will fund the state’s transport master plan, including the proposal to built LRTs to ease traffic congestion.
But Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said there is one more way to get the proposal off the ground so that the proposed LRTs can become a reality.
“The only way to do it is to change the prime minister; only then we can get approval for the LRTs.
“We have no choice but to change the PM,” Lim said during his speech at the DAP’s ‘Love Malaysia, Get Rid of Kleptocracy” cum GE14 fundraising dinner in Bayan Baru last night.
“We have to change the PM, or else Penang would be dead; if we have a change, Penang will stay alive,” he said, drawing cheers from the 3,000 strong crowd at the event.
Last month, Najib told Penang’s Balik Pulau fishermen that the federal government would not approve the reclamation projects if it leads to “sand thrown into the ricebowls” of the local community.
Najib said he was aware of the grouses of approximately 1,500 fishermen whose livelihoods would allegedly be affected by the 4,500 acre reclamation project.
Lim at the time expressed shock at the PM’s statement, pointing out how the federal government had approved reclamation projects in other states such as Johor, Malacca and Kedah.
Lim added his administration had always maintained that the livelihood of the fishing community would be protected as the reclamation project delivery partner - SRS Consortium - have met with many stakeholders including fishermen to ensure their needs are fulfilled.
More tourists, more traffic
Meanwhile, Lim last night said among other factors, traffic congestion is the result of growing developments in investments and the tourism sector.
He added that during weekends, tourists visit the island and “we cannot blame them” as there are many places of interests to see.
Due to the island’s traffic woes, the Penang government has drawn up a transport master plan to allow better connectivity among the five districts on the island.
Lim said reclamation projects will pay for the RM27 billion Penang Transport Master Plan slated for completion in 2030, which has yet to be approved by the federal government.
“But Najib will not approve it; in the past he has promised to give Penangites LRTs, but all his promises remain empty ones,” said the DAP secretary-general.
Other Pakatan Harapan leaders who spoke at the dinner included the coalition’s chairman and former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Amanah president Mohamed Sabu, MPs Lim Kit Siang (Gelang Patah) and M Kulasegaran (Ipoh Barat), PKR secretary general Saifuddin Nasution and Penang DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow.- Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.