Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has defended his interview on business radio station BFM during which he hung up.
Chow, who was being interviewed on the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), had gotten into an argument with radio host Khoo Hsu Chuang.
Khoo had at the beginning of the interview quoted a Star report that the reclamation of three islands in southern Penang could generate up to RM70 billion but later denied saying this, prompting the argument. The reclamation project is intended to fund the RM46 billion PTMP.
"There were two interviewers, I heard one interviewer quoted Star - that it is RM70 billion (in revenue) - but then he said he didn't quote Star when I heard they quoted Star,” he said when asked about the interview yesterday.
"You quoted Star, so I quoted Star. I wanted to clarify. You can't deny you didn't quote Star, how can you deny? I don't know which interviewer (said it) because I can't see you."
A video of Chow's response was uploaded by state government-owned Bulletin Mutiara.
Chow added that he didn't "really" cut off the conversation as it was already the end of the interview.
"It was not really a hang up as time was up. I was unsatisfied that they denied - I don't know who it was - but the person quoted Star that it was RM70 billion so I also quoted the Star that it was RM70 billion, but my final answer was that it can be more.
"But they didn't want to give me a chance to answer, they didn't want to listen," he said.
The PTMP will comprise various component including the Bayan Lepas LRT, Ayer Itam Monorail, Tanjung Tokong Monorail on the Penang island and the Raja Uda-Sungai Nyiur-Bukit Mertajam-Permatang Tinggi Monorail on the mainland coupled with a BRT extension to Kepala Batas.
There will also be the Permatang Tinggi-Batu Kawan BRT line on the mainland which will be extended northwards to Bukit Tengah/Seberang Jaya and southwards to Nibong Tebal.
The masterplan will also include the construction of the Pan Island Link 1, Pan Island Link 2 and 2A, North Coast Pair Road and also new interchanges at Butterworth-Kulim and Juru, road upgrades at Permatang Pasir-Perda and Bukit Minyak as well as an undersea tunnel as a third link between the island and mainland.
They will also include reclamation works for three man-made islands in the south of Penang, which land will be used to fund the projects.
The transcript shortly before the argument broke out in the interview is as below:
Q: CM, in terms of the RM46 billion cost for the Pan Island Link Highway, which, of course, as you have previously supported...
Chow: No, it is not RM46 billion... get your facts true.
Q: What is the exact amount?
Chow: Uh, RM46 billion for the Pan-Island Link, no...
Q: What is the Penang Transport Masterplan going to cost overall?
Chow: Then yes, you say the overall transport masterplan plus the reclamation, it is around that figure, yes.
Q: How is it going to be funded?
Chow: Land reclamation.
Q: By who?
Chow: The land has to be reclaimed. I mean the sea has to be reclaimed, then revenue generated...
Q: That's right, three islands, 4,500 acres, who is going to be developing it and reclaiming the land?
Chow: The state government is the project owner and asset owner...
Q: Who will be doing the work, chief minister?
Chow: It has to be appointed through an open tender.
Q: And who are the tenderers at this point of time?
Chow: Anybody who thinks they can offer the best price can tender for the job...
Q: Who have you earmarked at this point of time for this tender.
Chow: How could we earmark? It's an open tender, everybody is welcomed to bid for it.
Q: When is the tender open?
Chow: When it is ready.
Q: Which is when?
Chow: Probably next year.
Q: Specifically, first half or second half?
Chow: No, I have no answer. We have just got this go ahead and I think there is still a lot of work that has to be done - so many compliances we have to fulfil before even thinking of starting the project. I think we have given our commitment that we will never, and can never, start unless we secure all approvals and compliances fulfilled.
Q: Last question, chief minister, RM46 billion cost, what is the expected fiscal return from this project?
Chow: I mean you quoted The Star RM70 billion...
Q: I didn't quote any Star number, CM, I'm asking you now.
Chow: You quoted, I said you quoted earlier on.
Q: It wasn't me, I'm asking you now, what is the expected fiscal return?
Chow: I mean your radio station. I don't know who is over the other end, do you expect me to name the person? I can't.
Q: No, I'm asking you what is the fiscal return for this project which is going to cost RM46 billion.
Chow: Let me get my thoughts and reply you, you have been getting rude now.
Q: Fair question CM, (the) government is going to spend RM46 billion, what is the fiscal return?
Chow: That is why I answered, you quoted Star RM70 billion, I think it can be more than that.
Q: Thank you ever so much for your time.
Chow: You didn't want to hear my answer.
Q: So what is the answer, CM?
Chow: Thank you.
Chow hangs up.
-Mkini
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