Penang DAP rep blasts NGOs for saying they were not consulted on mega-projects

A DAP assemblyperson has lambasted NGOs who opposed the Penang South Reclamation project and Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) saying it is untrue that the state government failed to consult them over the mega-projects.

First-time Pengkalan Kota elected representative Daniel Gooi said numerous efforts were made by the Penang government to engage civil societies for the light rail transit (LRT) project since the formation of the Penang Transport Council.

In a statement today, Gooi said engagement sessions involving members of Penang Forum were organised after the PTMP was adopted by the state government in 2015.

He noted that individuals from the Penang Forum had the opportunity to speak at these events.

"In fact, besides transport-related platforms, various civil groups were invited to the Penang 2030 stakeholder engagement session last year, where Penang Forum's Khoo Salma Nasutiom had also participated," Gooi said.

"Moreover, the state government provided explanations and clarifications whenever Penang Forum made baseless claims," he added.

"But, unfortunately, when explanations are made by the state government, quite often it did not please Penang Forum.

"In fact, lies and misleading statements were often used by this group of individuals to tarnish the state government and our effort to provide a holistic traffic solution for the people of Penang via the PTMP," he stressed.

Gooi was responding to Penang Forum's remarks proposing a debate with Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow over the impending Bayan Lepas-Komtar light rail transit system.

In her statement, Salma had taken Chow to task for not responding to her inquiries concerning the LRT project but instead focused on the Environmental Impact Assessment which was displayed in 2017.

Her inquiries were raised in a letter titled “Penang’s Bayan Lepas LRT – Glorious Legacy or White Elephant Project” published in Malaysiakini on Oct 22, to which Chow described the allegations therein as "baseless".

Gooi cited the just-concluded Asia Pacific Urban Forum (APUF) held in Penang last week, where Khoo Salma had also attended.

Gooi claimed that at the event, Salma "repeated her various baseless claims, attempting to stop development" in Penang.

"Enough is enough. Trying to hook themselves up with a debate with the chief minister is part of their agenda to get some limelight for them to keep telling lies and misleading facts.

"These individuals have always put on their agenda to see Penang fail as a state, particularly in putting up negative comments," he added.

By this, Gooi was referring to what he described as the state "successfully restoring" Sia Boey and Prangin Canal.

He said the NGOs also tried to create fear that shores at Clan Jetties were "polluted", but it was only a normal phenomenon during a certain time of the month.

Gooi said the Penang government is committed to the state's sustainable development by addressing the needs of Penangites without jeopardising our environment.

He said the state is answerable to the present and future needs of Penangites, especially in developing feasible and lasting transport infrastructure or risk being voted out in the coming general election.

"Unlike individuals representing Penang Forum who are not accountable and will not get voted out even when there is no development happen in Penang."

These NGOs, as members of the Penang Reject Reclamation coalition which include fisherfolks, are against the 1,820ha project, which involves the creation of three artificial islands. Part of the islands will be developed and sold to cover the projected RM46 billion PTMP. - Mkini