Fate of Penang Transport Master Plan hangs in the balance (Updated)

BALIK PULAU: The fate of the proposed RM27 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) hangs in the balance as the federal government cannot support the plan to reclaim 4,500 acres of land off the south coast of Penang island which will be used to fund the PTMP.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said the proposed reclamation will victimise 1,500 fishermen (within the Balik Pulau parliamentary seat represented
by Barisan Nasional) in the area.
“There is no reason for the federal government to support a project like this, this is what the people are asking for, the people need to be protected,” he said in his speech when opening the Umno Balik Pulau division delegates meeting today.
The PTMP is a plan by the Penang government to improve connectivity in the state via several public transport infrastructure projects including the Light Rail Transit (LRT), dedicated bus lanes and water ferries.
The ambitious plan is to be funded via the proposed land reclamation but approval from the federal government is needed to reclaim land of that size.
Earlier in a luncheon with the people, Najib said any development project should not negatively impact and result in losses to the people and local communities.
He said the project may affect some 1,500 fishermen in the area and described it akin to "throwing sand into people's rice bowl".
He also said any project should also be environmentally friendly and also environmentally sustainable to implement.
"In addition, if there is an alternative which can save the money of the people (then) it must be considered," he said in his speech to outline three conditions the Penang administration needs to meet.
Najib is in Penang to attend the luncheon, the opening of the Umno Balik Pulau division delegates meeting and to attend the SMK Seri Balik Pulau Golden Jubilee celebrations.
Earlier in the day, he had opened the Umno Sik division meeting in Kedah.
Najib also pointed out the stand of the federal government was not to reject plans brought by a state government administered by the national opposition.
"That is not our stand, if it is then there will not be development projects to Penang," he said.
In his speech earlier, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya asked Najib to ensure the proposed reclamation did not materialise.
He said the area was an area rich in sea life and thus many fishermen depended on fishing in those waters for their livelihood.
"We have commissioned USM to conduct a study on the matter and the report has been submitted to the federal government and the Prime Minister," the division chairman said.
Hilmi also expressed his confidence of retaining the Balik Pulau parliamentary seat in the 14th General Election.
He said youth here were firmly behind BN and said the coalition had captured the youth vote here in the previous election.
“We are not worried about the youth votes in Balik Pulau,” he said.