Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon refuted allegations that the controversial alignment of the proposed Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) project was a 'done deal' without public consultation.

"It is not correct. The plan went through public scrutiny and was gazetted in 1990," Koh told reporters after the state assembly sitting in Penang this afternoon.

Koh said the proposed plans had been exhibited in 1999 based on a study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) in 1981.

On toll charges incurred by road users and compensation for land acquisition involving several households, temples, holy shrines and shops, Koh said the issue will be addressed by the Malaysian Highway Authority and the federal government after reviewing the responses from the people.

The project initiator of PORR is the federal government through the Works Department. The project is aimed at easing traffic congestion within the city by building a highway with eight interchanges along the coastal roads and outer fringes of Georgetown.

At 17km long, the RM1.02bil PORR has its origin in the Jica study entitled "Urban transport study in greater metropolitan areas of Georgetown, Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam".

Road network

According to the study carried out by the development agency, a ring and radial pattern road network for Georgetown was proposed then.

On Saturday, MHA displayed 17 exhibits on the proposed plan in the Caring Society Complex, depicting among other issues, the summary of land acquisition and areas affected.

Earlier, Consumers Association of Penang handed to Koh a signature petition by a group of concerned citizens affected by the PORR project.

"We wish to express regret that we have been kept in the dark about the proposed alignment of PORR and the effect it will have on our lives," said the petition, signed by 777 people.

Claiming that the project will affect more than 150,000 people on the island or over 20 percent of the population, the group said they were outraged that no effort was made to inform or consult the affected people before the project was approved.

Legal requirement

The group also criticised the government for not conducting a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment before proposing the plan and depriving the people "of the opportunity to be heard".

They said that in the process of drawing up structure plans and local plans under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976, public feedback and comments are a legal requirement.

In the petition, the group also urged the federal and state governments to halt the project and make public the full details of the road alignment and the proposals for land reclamation.

They are requesting the authorities to hold a forum to discuss and seek feedback on all other forms of sustainable transport for Penang.

The concession agreement between the project developer, Penang-based Peninsular Metroworks Sdn Bhd, and the government should also be made public, the group added.

Meanwhile, Koh said the exhibits on display at the Caring Society Complex may be extended for 30 days due to public request.

He conceded that the seven-day viewing period may be too short and said he would speak to MHA on the matter.