GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has declared its readiness to take stringent measures against the developer of Package Two of the bypass project, stretching from the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway to Air Itam, should it cause disturbances to the public.
State infrastructure committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said that potential actions included issuing stop-work orders or fines.
"We have issued stern warnings to the project developers to comply with the established rules and regulations," he said.
"Non-compliance will result in immediate stop-work orders or fines."
"We have a monthly progress meeting, which I chair, and we will get a monthly report on the project," he told the state legislative assembly sitting here today in response to a supplementary question from Connie Tan Hooi Peng (DAP - Seri Delima).
Tan had asked about the disturbances the project posed on her constituents in recent months and what the state government was doing about the matter.
Zairil also said a section of the project had been slapped with a stop-work order by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) recently because the developer had worked outside permitted hours.
To compound matters, the works were not for mitigation-related matters.
Elaborating further, Zairil described Package Two as a design-and-build project extending 6km.
"We have a dedicated team closely monitoring this project," he added.
To another supplementary question from Joseph Ng (DAP - Air Itam) on measures taken to prevent flash floods along Lebuhraya Thean Teik from the project site in the event of heavy downpour, Zairil assured that the issue had been addressed with the developer.
"I've been informed that the sedimentation ponds have been deepened, and new ones have been constructed to mitigate this risk. The developer is also responsible for post-flood clean-up efforts," he said.
On May 21, Tan took to social media to express her disappointment with Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd for the alleged constant nuisance they were causing to the people over the construction work of the Package 2 project.
She told the Penang government to prioritise the welfare of the people and take decisive action against any entity that jeopardised their safety and comfort.
Tan claimed that despite numerous attempts to engage with Consortium Zenith for better coordination and updates, their requests had been met with inaction.
The company's disregard for proper communication protocols was unacceptable and had led to severe inconveniences for the community, she added.
The bypass from Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway to Air Itam is one of the projects under the Major Roads and Third Link Components (PMRT) and the PTMP which started in 2021 for Section 1 and in 2022 for Sections 2 to 6.
Once completed, the 5.7km-toll-free road connecting Bandar Baharu Air Itam and the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway will shorten travel time from 40 minutes to around five minutes.
