A Gerakan leader has questioned the need for an undersea tunnel when the second link (Penang bridge) is still under construction, asking if the state has any plans to stimulate the economy via the project.

The 6.5km undersea tunnel project, proposed by the Beijing Urban Construction Group, will connect Gurney Drive on Penang island and Bagan Ajam in North Seberang Prai.

NONEBN coordinator for Machang Bubok Ooi Suan Hoe (right) asked why all the rush to construct an undersea tunnel when the focus should be to increase the average income of residents on the mainland.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has said that the third link will improve the economy of the mainland residents whose average income is less than those in the island or urban areas.

However, Lim had failed to convince even the NGOs on the viability of the project, which they claim was proposed without public consultation.

“Although the average income of Seberang Perai area residents is relatively low compared to the urban residents, the urgency should be on how to increase their average income, rather than wanton development,” said Ooi at a press conference.

“Such development would lead to the increase in prices of goods and cost of living. It is like throwing stones at somebody who has already fallen down into a well,” he added.

He was accompanied by BN Batu Lanchang coordinator Lee Boon Ten and Air Itam coordinator Teoh Hang Chong.

NONEOoi said the second bridge is being constructed to solve the congestion problem of the first bridge, but traffic has been slowed down by the massive presence of trucks and buses travelling between the island and mainland.

With the second bridge, he added, thousand of trucks delivering raw materials to around 2,000 factories on the island would need to travel from the southern part of the mainland.

“With the reclamation project in Batu Maung, the second link which links Batu Kawan and phase four of the FTZ saves a lot of travelling time,” he said.

“This is considered good news for workers who travel between mainland and the island.

Who will bear the costs?

"But what is the economical consideration for building the tunnel? Who would eventually bear the cost of the undersea tunnel?” he asked.

If the cost is up to about RM10 billion, with an interest rate of three percent, Penangites would need to eventually pay RM300 million, not including loan and maintenance fees, he said.

“Penangites do not want to become bridge slaves, the state government should explain who will bear the cost and interest of the project eventually.

"Do not sell the land simply for glory,” he added.

“Will an undersea tunnel bring impact to the port which has been in operation since the 18th century?” he asked.

Ooi said reclamation works without proper control will pollute the sea water and destroy Penang’s beautiful seashores.

“Didn’t DAP oppose the Penang Outer Ring Road earlier because they opposed land reclamation?” he queried.

Ooi said the state government has to explain in detail how it wants to resolve the island’s massive traffic jam.

“Do not just simply say that just because other countries are doing it (undersea tunnel), Penang can do it too.

“This is not a professional response, the state should conduct a proper study, do not simply shoot down any doubts raised by others,” he added.