GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has told detractors of the Penang light rail transit (LRT) project to look at the bigger picture instead of continuously criticising the project.
Speaking to newsmen at his office in Komtar here today, Chow said the project had gone through all the mandatory processes before it was finally approved, including engagement sessions with stakeholders.
He said the project would kick-start after the necessary discussions and details are finalised within a short time.
"The project will be implemented after having gone through a long and tedious process. I believe the views of non-governmental organisations and individuals had been taken into account.
"We hope that those who still have reservations will look at the bigger picture…the long-term benefit to the people and the socioeconomic development of the state.
"This project is supported by more than 90 per cent of the population," he said today.
It was reported last Friday that the cabinet had approved the Penang LRT project during a meeting on March 22.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the decision meant that the federal government would take over oversight of the Penang Mutiara Line LRT from the state government.
He said construction of the Mutiara Line LRT was slated to start this year, and was expected to be operational in 2030.
Civil society groups in Penang, which have been critical of the project, had expressed disappointment that the cabinet had not heeded their calls to review the need for the LRT.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman said the government should have reviewed the LRT project given its huge cost and inflated projection of usage.
With regard to the high cost, Chow said the initial projection was RM10.5 billion.
He, however, said the final cost would be determined by the design, system and train in use.
"If you talk about costs, high costs are incurred daily just by being stuck in the worsening traffic.
"Although the LRT may not solve the state's traffic problem 100 per cent, it is still an initiative by the government.
"But there are other components which need to be implemented as well under the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP)," he added.
Chow said any project was bound to inconvenience the people in the beginning.
"But what is important is the ultimate results," he stressed.
Chow was met at the unveiling of the Aspen-Klippa Penang Bridge International Marathon 2024
