The Sabah government should be transparent in the planned rail project to link the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) to the city centre, said Luyang assemblyperson Phoong Jin Zhe.
He said this should include laying on the table the possible alternatives and their strengths and weaknesses.
This was after Sabah Works Minister Bung Moktar Radin, who is also the deputy chief minister, announced plans for a "Sky Train" project.
Bung added that a consortium of three firms - Guancai (M) Sdn Bhd, China State Construction Engineering (M) Sdn Bhd and Vizione Development Sdn Bhd - will be coming up with a proposal.
Phoong (above) asked the state government to clarify if the Sky Train is a suspended, driverless railway system compared to the traditional rail system.
He said if that was the case, the government should brief the public on its effectiveness as the technology is on trial in a few China cities including Shanghai.
He added the Sky Train has a relatively lower capacity compared to conventional light rail transits and also moves at a slower speed of 50 to 60km/h.
Phoong said this means a trip from KKIA to 1Borneo Shopping Centre in Kota Kinabalu could take around an hour.
"The biggest concern is how would this achieve the purpose of encouraging the public to take public transport and how would it effectively reduce traffic during peak hours?
"According to related reports, the Sky Train's capacity is relatively lower compared to light rail transits. The deputy chief minister must explain how would this resolve the capital's traffic congestion," he said.
Phoong said while he cautiously welcomes a linkage between KKIA and the city centre, he emphasised the importance of transparency.
He said among the issues that require explanation include what the government is offering to the private sector as a trade-off to fund the project.
Furthermore, he said the Sabah government should explain why it is so firm on the Sky Train and isn't considering other alternative forms of rail.
"There are many viable options out there and I think the government must open for proposals and suggestions in selecting which is the best system that works for Kota Kinabalu city," he said.
He added that these issues would be best addressed in the Sabah state assembly and urged for the legislature, which is suspended during the emergency, to be reconvened.
"Before implementing the project, the state assembly must debate on this so that the capital city would benefit from the best option," he said. - Mkini
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