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Sunday, July 5, 2015

Question marks over Penang’s ad hoc planning

Critics point to mega projects despite lack of socio-economic blueprint, delayed land use plans and heritage demolition.
penang-blueprint
GEORGE TOWN: Concerned Penangites are raising questions about the state government on whether it has a socio-economic development blueprint for the state and if it will ever be implemented.
Critics believe the state government is working on an ad-hoc basis, according to its whims and fancies.
They point to the lack of a clear state policy on socio-economic development for the next five or 10 years as a sign of the state government’s incompetence, citing as examples the ad-hoc approvals given to high-rise high-density posh housing all over Penang, and the demolition of heritage mansions.
The state government has yet to implement the updated and reviewed state structural, local, and special area plans, which govern land use.
In March, state Gerakan secretary Oh Tong Keong issued a 100-day deadline for the state government to unveil its development blueprint, but as expected the state has failed to heed his call.
Although the state government has announced mega projects such as three major road projects, an undersea tunnel across the North Channel, and a cable car link across the South Channel, all costing billions, there are many who doubt these projects will ever take place.
Consortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd has been awarded a land swap deal to conduct a feasibility study and detailed design studies on the RM6.3 billion mega project of three expressways and undersea tunnel.
Detailed environmental impact assessment studies will also be required, with separate studies done on each highway.
The road projects call for a 12km paired-road from Jalan Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang, a 4.6km bypass from Air Itam to Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, and a 4.2km bypass from Gurney Drive to Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu.
The undersea project includes a 6.5km tunnel linking Gurney Drive on the island and Bagan Ajam on the mainland.
The three highway projects are for completion between 2018 and 2022, and the tunnel for 2025.
In return for conducting the studies, Consortium Zenith BUCG has been awarded the rights to nine acres or 3.64ha of reclaimed land in Seri Tanjung Pinang I in Tanjung Tokong, said to be worth RM305 million.
That RM305mil will reportedly fund the feasibility study at RM180 million, detailed design for RM92 million, and environmental assessment for RM33 million.
The state government has said the project would be scrapped if the studies show that the highway was not feasible.
Questions have been raised on why the state transport master plan was drawn out only after the road and tunnel projects were announced.
Other questions that arose were why the feasibility study was awarded to Zenith BUCG after the project had already been awarded to the same company, why the same company was to carry out the feasibility studies as well as the projects, why the feasibility was not conducted before the project plan was drawn up.
Critics asked why land swaps were awarded in payment for the project plans, and whether a company with enough financial strength should have been appointed to carry out the projects with its own money.
Further, will low-cost and low-medium cost houses be built on swapped land for lower income Penangites?
Despite the lack of a master blueprint and updated structural and local plans, the state has already awarded tenders for mega infrastructure projects involving land swaps, pointing to a lack of interest in implementing any blueprint under which mega projects would be carried out.
Answers to these questions have not been forthcoming, despite the state government’s claims to practice a policy of competence, accountability and transparency.

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