Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was "hammered" by a group of NGOs opposed to his decision to proceed with a massive four-part integrated road system across Penang.

NONELim (left) remained adamant that the project which now cost RM6.3 billion will not be cancelled, assuring the NGOs that it would follow the proper guidelines, including obtaining an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report from the Department of Environment.

"I know I can be very popular with you by stopping the four projects or imposing access fees (on cars entering the island at peak hours) as you proposed, but we have many other considerations," he told the 10 members of the Penang Forum at a two-hour meeting at his office in Komtar yesterday.

"We cannot be island-centric, we must be state-centric and that includes (considering issues related to) the mainland as it has been often said to have been neglected (when developing the state)," he added.

BN leaders also blasted Lim yesterday for the "amazingly speedy" tender award to Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) for building the road.

The tender includes the construction of the Tanjung Bungah-Teluk Bahang paired road, the George Town inner and outer ring road, and the Air Itam bypass.

A 110-acre plot of land in Tanjung Tokong would be exchanged with the company forking out the money for the project.

At the meeting, the NGOs were frank and critical in their evaluation of the proposal, while Lim tackled each question hurled at him with firm answers till the end of the session.

The NGOs had preferred the state to improve public transport, including providing dedicated bus lanes, and limit the number of vehicles entering the island at peak hours by imposing entrance fees, as is the current practice in Singapore.

Why not after GE?

NONEPenang municipal councillor Lim Mah Hui (right) fired the first salvo, saying that building more roads was "mathematically proven" to attract more cars, not resolve traffic congestion.

"We are looking towards you for a new vision for Penang. We must get away from the old model," Mah Hui had told Lim, adding that the state had not invested enough ideas and energy in considering the two sides of the traffic situation: supply versus demand for roads.

Penang Heritage Trust representative Loh-Lim Lin Lee questioned why the CM was going ahead with the project as many of the transport problems are related to Putrajaya.

"Why do it now before elections? Can we not wait and see if things change at Putrajaya (in the coming general election)?" asked Loh-Lim, who is also a restoration consultant.

She lamented that while the NGOs are grateful that Lim had invited them for a dialogue, it does not mean that either side are convinced of each other's arguments.

"The press is here. We don't want BN back but it does not mean that we cannot raise our concerns at what has been happening in Penang for the last five years," she said, referring to the massive development of high rise buildings instead of affordable homes.

Aliran treasurer Anil Netto pointed out that the project was not in line with the state's ‘Greener, Cleaner Penang' campaign, which are visible in large bill boards all over the city.

He queried why the state was not presenting the people with a "different yet sustainable transport system".

"A key part of Pakatan Rakyat's manifesto was to take transport system to a higher level instead or building highways but this is not seen in this proposal," said the well-known socio-political blogger.

"Don't mistake that people voting against the BN is an endorsement of your policies. You are taking advantage of people's sentiments against them," he added, when Lim remarked that perhaps, the real alternative would be to have BN back in power.

Pakatan's priority should be transport

Towards the end of the session, Lim said he believed in engaging with the NGOs to clarify issues surrounding the large-scale road plan despite the criticism.

He continued to lament that the state would have liked to adopt the NGOs proposals but their hands were tied as transport - including taxis and buses - were under the purview of the federal government.

He added that no company would want to invest in the state's public transport system as the federal government can cancel the project "when they feel like it and they can do it".

public transport penang buses"Even when we had offered to pay RM10 million annually to Rapid Penang for free buses, they have not come back to us after 18 months," Lim complained, ticking off the NGOs for not taking the enterprise to task for the matter.

On imposing fees to limit cars into the island, Lim was firmly against the idea, saying "We are willing to be attacked and criticised for this. I know you want to hammer us, you can boast that you have hammered us on this".

Lastly, the NGOs asked for assurance from Lim that public transport would be a priority if Pakatan took over Putrajaya in the coming polls which may be called in weeks.

Lim agreed, adding that he would still look into road improvement issues.

On whether the state can appoint an independent company to carry out the EIA while BUCG pays for the report, Lim said "we would give it serious consideration".

Penang Forum will organise a public consultation meeting with Lim at the Town Hall on March 9 on the road plan, where the latter has agreed to be transparent about the state's decision to award the tender to BUCG.