The folks in charge of the Penang Outer Ring Road project are missing the forest for the trees. We as Penangites are not concerned about the construction or future of the road, or anything remotely related to the physical being of the PORR.

We are concerned about the way the project was awarded —, i.e. to some special individuals whose prosperity is guaranteed for the next 30 years, thanks to the toll collected from the road users.

We are concerned about the way prime land — reclaimed land off Gurney Drive — is being given away in exchange for the "services rendered" in building a 17km road.

We want the government to explain publicly the formula used in calculating the exchange of land for the construction of PORR.