DAP caught up by confusing stands on PORR

DAP opposed the PORR as part of its political stands in the last 2 general elections. After forming the government they are clamouring for the hastening of the project -which has been opposed by many residents. Where do they really stand? When I asked Ooi Wee Aik during his book launch he categoriocally stated that DAP opposed the PORR, in clear view of media, party supporters and members of the public. Now what tune is he singing? Can he explain the reasons for his change of stand?

Friday July 4, 2008(Star)

I'm all for PORR project, says Law

DAP elected representatives hit back at former Gerakan's Batu Uban assemblyman Goh Kheng Sneah over comments that the state government had sent "confusing signals" over the shelved Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) project.

Penang Tourism, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said he was all for the project, provided several concerns were addressed.

"I tabled a motion in the state assembly in 2002 to postpone PORR as there were several concerns about the project. Firstly, there was no open tender and the selection of the company to build the road was not transparent.

"Secondly, we were against the (then) state government's plan to allow the acquisition of 202ha of land in the Gurney Drive area and its agreement to give 30.8ha of prime land in George Town for the project.

"We were also against the cross subsidy concept (that allowed the company to undertake property development on reclaimed land to fund the cost of road) as we felt the Federal Government had sufficient funds to build the road," Law said, adding that he had asked for a postponement and not cancellation of PORR.

He also said that DAP had been concerned about the proposed three toll gates on PORR as it felt it was the government's responsibility to provide transportation routes for the public.

Law, who was speaking at a press conference in Komtar yesterday, was commenting on Goh's allegations that DAP had been against the PORR project before taking office on March 8.

On Monday, Goh, who is also Gerakan Youth Small and Medium Industries (SMI) Bureau chairman, said the state government had an inconsistent stand on PORR by citing examples of Law's postponement motion and objections by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's political secretary Ng Wei Aik made in August 2007.

When contacted, Ng said he was against the proposed alignment and toll collection of PORR.

"The alignment was made without any public consultation and there were many reservations on the toll collection.

"I believe some aspects of PORR need to be abandoned to ensure that the road benefits all parties," said Ng, who is also the Komtar assemblyman.


Comments
5 July 2008 - 5:49pm — Nalainamathe

1 - Do we really need this
1 - Do we really need this mega project?

2 - Y LGE is paranoid over losing these projects, as if his whole political dependent on it?

3 - Has LGE & Co run out of ideas to improve the public transportation and traffic management system in Penang by exhausting and exploring other ways and means?

4 - LGE is not a Penangite, as are many of his advisors. So isn't it wise for him to get public opinion b4 jumping up & down on loss of mega projects?

5 - I think LGE should seek the money that was supposedly alloted for Porr and monorail and re-channeled it to introduce tram buses, free city bus shuttle service, build link roads, not ring roads, to connect most roads across the state, mini buses or even 'Indian or Thai' auto services to improve public transportation.

6. Many housing areas, old and new, are not serviced by any public reliable, affordable and efficient public transport system. Why can't LGE government seek federal fund to improve the service in these areas.

7. I am not sure that DAP objected to Porr, but I am sure Danny Law proposed a ring road that connects Batu Maung to Batu Feringhi cutting the jungle and hilly terrains of the island, rather than houses.

8. LGE should stop getting emotional and euphoria when he touches on federal government and Petronas. It's no good to him, his government and the people of Penang.

9. The state government should form a permanent high powered public transport and traffic management commission, consisting people with brains, not just stupid fools from NGOs, to explore everything and anything to upgrade the travel operations in the state, to ensure it is smooth, hassle-less, traffic-less, cheap, reliable and right on time.

10. LGE & company must comprehend the fact that majority Penangites would not favour Porr or monorail if it does not improve the public transport and traffic management systems. So whether does the priority lies?

11. To operate a feasible, vibrant and efficient monorail system, you need nearly a million people using public transport. Penang island only has 800,000 and of it only 8 per cent uses public transport right now.

12. Perhaps Bus Pulau Pinang could do the trick, either as a company directly operating the service, or a consortium of companies controlling and scheduling the operations.

Bye 4 now ... Marmayogi