The Penang State Exco has set up a Penang Transport Council, whose motto is “moving people, not cars”. The biggest and most formidable challenge for the Council, however, is how it responds to any attempt to revive the highly controversial Penang Outer Ring Road (Porr) project.
The formation of the council, chaired by state exco member Chow Kon Yeow, is a step in the right direction. The Council’s task is to tackle transport problems especially trying to get the public to move away from “over-dependence on private transport to a more economically and ecologically sustainable public transport system. The system will be people-centric and part of the council’s task is also to increase public awareness, participation in and acceptance of such a system.”
The council is made up of “state and city council members, civil servants, university professors, professionals, stakeholders, and members of the public with interest in and knowledge of transport issues”.
The council has embarked on a pilot project to de-congest the busy Pulau Tikus area. But the biggest challenge for the council will come in its response to any plan to revive Porr. The latest edition of The Edge carried a report that Porr could be on the table again.
The paper quoted sources as saying that a private company Daya Aliran Inovasi Sdn Bhd (shareholders Ahmad Ismail and Nordin Chin), with the blessings of the Economic Planning Unit, has submitted a proposal to the Penang government to undertake the project.
On 8 September, Bernama reported that the Penang government is still waiting for feedback from the federal government on the project. Guan Eng reportedly said the state government had sent a few letters to the federal government and the EPU but had yet to receive any response.
Now, Porr would be totally against the vision of the Penang Transport Council to get the public to move away from an “over-dependence on private transport to a more economically and ecologically sustainable public transport system”.
The Penang state government has to state categorically what its positions on Porr and sustainable transport are. It is difficult to see how the two can be reconciled. After all, how can you “reduce use of private cars” if you are building more highways and bridges for private vehicles?
When Porr was first mooted under the BN administration, it received stiff opposition from residents groups, civil society groups, and significant segments of the public. Because of this and other financial constraints, the state government and the company quietly shelved the project eventually.
Now there are rumblings about Porr again. Is there any difference between the BN and Pakatan when it comes to this project? Those pushing for Porr are not thinking about the long-term future of Penang as a sustainable place.
The Penang Transport Council has the following plans. These are commendable, but if Porr returns then that could effectively – and sadly – nullify these noble intentions:
Short-term
- Inform public of objectives and plans, solicit input and feedback. Involve mass and alternative media
- Decongest traffic and enforce rules against illegal parking and traffic blockage
- Improve public and private car parks
- Work with Rapid, bas kilang, bas sekolah to improve bus services
- Start Master Plan process going
Medium Term
- Build bicycle lanes and improve pedestrian walkways and disable friendly paths
- Introduce multiple feeder systems to main road arteries – bicycles, smaller buses, trishaws etc
- Improve taxi services
- As bus service improves, introduce mechanisms to reduce use of private cars such as peak hours fees, area road pricing, incentives for car pooling, disincentives for single occupant cars during peak hours etc.
- Improve and extend ferry service and water taxis
- Review all mega-projects
Long Term
- Implementation of Master Plan for whole state
- Integration of different transport modes – buses, cars, trams, ferries, rail – one ticket system
- Continuous public education programs
- Park and ride points, e.g. PISA, Jelutong Expressway etc.
Muar city outer ring road was fully paid by Federal government and no a single toll is erected to collect money from the road users.
The only problem is its road construction quality is suck from (a politically well connected) company.
Ask this question. Why Penangites are discriminated by BN government?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Secara amnya, sistem pengangkutan di Pulau Pinang susah hendak berjaya tanpa kerjasama dan bantuan kewangan dari Kerajaan Persekutuan BN.
Terdapat seruan-seruan dari UMNO Pulau Pinang supaya Kerajaan Persekutuan BN hentikan segala projek mega disitu. Apa tujuan seruan-seruan begini?
Sistem pengangkutan awam di Kuala Lumpur sudah gagal apatah lagi di Pulau Pinang.
Syarikat Rapid memang tidak boleh diberi harapan yang lebih. Ingat ke tidak beberapa tahun dahulu, apabila subsidi minyak diturunkan dengan alasan dengan penjimatan perbelanjaan subsidi, kerajaan boleh membangunkan sistem pengangkutan awam.
Maka RapidKL diberi amanah bagi memastikan sistem pengangkutan awam di KL dan Lembah Klang menjadi cekap dan murah. Ketika itu berbillion-billion ringgit dicurahkan. RapidKL memperkenalkan sistem ticket satu harga bagi penggunaan sehari. Ini bermakna dengan satu tiket kita boleh naik mana-mana bas RapidKL sepanjang hari.
Pada 1 September 2009 tambang RapidKL dinaikan dan juga tambang ini hanya sah bagi satu hala!
Seorang bapa kepada 2 anak yang bersekolahn pernah mengeluh kepada saya bahawa mengapa tambang dibenarkan naik sedangkan harga petrol juga naik. Dimana wang yang dijimatkan kepada subsidi petrol?
Kemudian dia memberikan kira-kira perbelanjaan tambang bas kepada saya:
Sebelum tambang bas naik > RM2.00 x 20 hari x 2 anak = RM 80.00 sebulan
Selepas tambang bas naik > RM2.00 x 2 pergi-balik hala x 20 hari x 2 anak = RM 160.00 sebulan!
Dari RM80 sebulan melonjat ke RM160 sebulan selepas 1 September 2009
Saya melihat mata si bapa itu seolah-olah hendak menangis. Kepada orang ramai, kenapa tiada protes kerana tambang bas naik?
Rakyat didahulukan? Kalau betul, kenapa naik harga tambang bas?
Pencapaian diutamakan? Kalau betul, sila pecat orang yang setuju naikan tambang bas!
Sekian.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
PEMBETULAN:
Sebelum tambang bas naik > RM2.00 x 20 hari x 2 anak = RM 80.00 sebulan
Selepas tambang bas naik > RM2.50 x 2 pergi-balik hala x 20 hari x 2 anak = RM 200.00 sebulan!
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Same plan but the only difference is that different people becomes rich with their respective cronies….
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hmm… Why can’t we do both? If Penang can take advantage of funding and interest from certain parties, I don’t see why enhancing public transport cannot go hand-in-hand with better highways that will improve connectivity between relatively disparate destinations. This will free up the “in roads”, which will assist timing of public buses (or dare we suggest trams?) and allow for bicycle lanes.
IMHO, the order from which we can achieve more sustainable transport is:
1. Relieve congestion by better road and highway systems,
2. Less congestion allows better connectivity and scheduling of public transport,
3. Less congestion allows more bicycle lanes, especially on roads where current congestion makes bike lanes impossible and impracticable.
Hence, perhaps we can view something like (but not necessarily) PORR as an essential first step that will enable sustainable transport in the long run?
I believe a major concern earlier with PORR is the disputable reputation of contractor/developer and perhaps suggested route. I believe as long as the route is well-designed, construction reliable and future maintenance well-planned, development of a good highway system is not a bad thing and we don’t have to deprive ourselves of that just to encourage more sustainable transport. A good city should have both good public transport as well as good road/highway systems.
Highways shouldn’t be seen as deterrents because when efficiency of public transport is established, the advantage of public transport versus paying for tolls on highways will (hopefully) become clear and people will naturally opt for public transport than having to drive. Of course for this to happen, it is important that public transport is comfortable and efficient time-wise.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Wong Ka Wai….
How many of us non-bumi are bother to read and use bahasa again after graduation?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Kepada nkkhoo,
sebab itu kaum Cina hidup dalam kelompok kaum sendiri sahaja. Perpaduan tidak akan tercapai jika berlaku begini.
Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia.
Saya tahu banyak orang memandang rendah kepada Bahasa Melayu. Tetapi bahasa itu cuma media perantaraan. Isi yang cuba dihujarkan tetap sama biarpun dalam Bahasa Inggeris atau bahasa yang lain.
Tindakan UMNO tiada kena-mengena dengan Bahasa Melayu itu sendiri. Islam juga tidak kena-mengena dengan Bahasa Melayu itu sendiri.
Jika hendak contoh yang terbaik, Bahasa Jepun tiada kena-mengena dengan Perang Dunia Ke-2.
Harap maklum.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
nkkhoo,
I’ve been living overseas for 8 yrs, but I keep my Facebook, Hotmail and gmail in Bahasa Malaysia just so I don’t forget the language. I find it helps.
So far on this post I can see 4 people (besides Anil): WKW, LYB, you and I. That makes at least 50%!!!
Btw, for the record, I think science and maths should be taught in BM and I’m a scientist. I’m a molecular biologist who is attached to a research institute overseas and have attended & presented at prestigious international scientific conferences and meetings. I studied at SMK CPT (a relatively small national school) in Penang and learnt sc & maths in BM. I attest that people who think you can’t learn Sc & Maths in BM are just whingers.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
In case I open a can of worms with my previous statement about Sc & Maths in English…
Let me ask those who argue and insist sc & maths should be taught in BM:
1. How many of you were actually taught in BM? I find many who comment were actually taught in English and because of declining standards assume that the change in medium of instruction is the root of our problem. I disagree and believe that we will still produce poor science/maths graduates if our syllabus continues to involve just rote learning. If you want to improve their English, then please just work on the English syllabus (Or have a syllabus! There is currently none).
2. How many are actually scientists by international standards (ie. having collaborations and communications overseas)? Scientists who are exposed internationally will know French, Dutch, Portugese, Italian, Iranian, Chinese, Japanese scientists who learnt science/maths up until university level in their native tongue, but are highly successful and respected in the scientific community. Language is never a problem, it just makes discussions more fun!
Sorry to digress…
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
People,
Do watch the show again!
1)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqJ8idr_z08&feature=related
2)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tDoeUUuVDE&feature=related
3)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vF3LDRy7CI&feature=related
It explains everything even towards the KBP issue
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Wong Ka Wai
September 10th, 2009 at 6.11pm
Kepada nkkhoo,
sebab itu kaum Cina hidup dalam kelompok kaum sendiri sahaja. Perpaduan tidak akan tercapai jika berlaku begini.
===
Sorry, you can call yourself anak Malaysia forever, but does the present government recognize such one way patriotism.
Talking is cheap. Have you taken action to work along with Malays to serve and protect this country like joining army or police?
Did Malay, Indian and others take initiative to mingle around with Chinese and other races?
Why students in local universities living according to their own color while no such obvious racial polarization problem in secondary schools.
Stop your narrow and bias against Chinese for racial disunity problem in this country.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
soohuey, wong ka wai…
FYT, I had beaten all Malay students in BM subject when I was in secondary school.
Many people have misconceived that Chinese and Japanese graduates are very poor in English. They may be handicapped in English oral skill, but they have no problem to read reference books written in English unlike many local students.
BM is still weak and worthless in science, technology and engineering applications.
I have totally shunned the BM after my graduation for non-value added reason.
Speaking and writing BM is more patriotic is just another stupid propaganda by UMNO.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
wong ka wai…If any local graduate cannot write in simple English, you shall blame the BM education system introduced in early 70s by UMNO-led government.
The sons and daughters of our BN politicians are studying in the overseas and mastering English. While our poor rakyat are brainwashed to believe that using BM is an act of patriotism.
Writing in BM (maybe to conceal own weakness in English) does not make you more patriotic than others.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
nkkhoo,
Racial politics has created a polarization in universities as well as in schools, and I believe influence starts right from home prior to schooling. I agree it is not just the Chinese who aren’t putting enough effort to get to know other races. Majority of Malaysian society is like that due to policies and chest-thumping that go on everyday in our nation. But that doesn’t mean the more socially conscious people can’t try to be different.
For me, being comfortable with the use of BM is about national identity. Without it, there will be nothing to differentiate us from Singapore. I believe national identity is important for national pride, without which we cannot work together.
Even though my sister and I attended national school where lessons are taught in BM, my parents made sure that we received Mandarin tuition when we were little. The result is that now I can read some Chinese words and can communicate orally in Mandarin even though none of my close friends in school can.
In the same way that I believe knowing the Chinese language and culture is important for my self-identity, I also believe knowing Bahasa Malaysia and the various Malaysian cultures is important for my national identity. It is not worthless and I don’t think I’m a sucker for UMNO propaganda.
Doesn’t matter if no one in the government recognises my “one way patriotism”. It is just about who I am, and hopefully some of the people who’ve noticed my emails accounts etc being in BM will stop to consider the importance of being Malaysian after they stop laughing and have picked their jaws from the ground. I’ve spent the past 8 yrs in Australia and will spend the next few years in France. I’m very Westernised in my outlook and lifestyle, and people say I look mixed even though I’m 100% Chinese. I need to know Bahasa Malaysia to remind myself I’m Malaysian and differentiate myself from the Singaporeans and China’s Chinese whom I meet along the way.
I must admit, tho, I’m more fluent in English and I’m writing here in English so my argument can reach a wider audience as I believe Anil’s readers prefer English.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
nkkhoo… why have you lowered yourself to do some chest-thumping of your own?
Saya tidak tahu mengapa Wong Ka Wai tetap menggunakan Bahasa Malaysia dan bukan Bahasa Inggeris. Namun, sebagai rakyat Malaysia, dia tidak bersalah menggunakan Bahasa Malaysia dalam pertuturannya dengan rakyat Malaysia yg lain dalam blog yg membincangkan isu2 semasa Malaysia.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
LGE and KTK are no different, both are for PORR. If LGE has the money, he will not hesistate to launch the PORR project which Penang DAP vehemently opposed.
LGE only want DEVELOPMENT, which is something he does not really understand.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hi soohuey…
I have worked along side with many India
s Indians in 90s. English is their official language does not make them less Indian and patriotic.
Do Malaysians in overseas celebrating our national day like singing national anthem, flag raising, prayer in a gathering?
I observed that Indians and Indonesians in overseas are no shy to show off their pride for their country in the national day’s gathering held on the foreign land.
My business partner is leaving for Australia soon for his sons’ educational prospect. He loves Malaysia as many of us, but too sick with UMNO racial and crony policies.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Ho soohuey…
When I worked as an expatriate in Indonesia, Malaysian identity is not speaking BM.
Foreigners recognize we Malaysians (specially Chinese and Indian) are hardworking and responsible professionals. That MNC fired a whole team of Singaporeans and replaced them with Malaysians for above mentioned “identities”. These identities differentiate us from Singaporeans.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Kepada nkkhoo,
saya tahu kerana tindakan UMNO sudah menyebabkan kamu benci terhadap segala-gala yang berkaitan dengan Malaysia.
Saya ini manusia biasa. Saya tidak mempunyai kebolehan yang luar biasa. Biarpun saya masuk unit tentera, keadaan makro bukan boleh diubah oleh saya sendiri sahaja. Ia perlu diubah oleh ahli politik dan orang-orang awam secara beransur-ansur.
Soal sekarang ialah adakah kita bersedia berbuat demikian?
Tahukah anda semua kawan-kawan saya dari tadika sampai ke kolej masih saya kekalkan sebab apa? Sebab saya tidak mengambil kira Bahasa Melayu itu tidak setanding Bahasa Inggeris.
Jika kamu berpendapat Bahasa Melayu itu bermakna patriotisme, kamu salah. Pernahkah kamu baca novel dan komik dalam Bahasa Melayu? Betulkah penulis novel dan komik Malaysia itu tiada mempunyai nilai?
Memang betul Bahasa Inggeris digunakan dalam perniagaan, sains, dan teknologi. Semasa saya di kolej, semua dalam Bahasa Inggeris. Soal sekarang ialah, adakah perlu saya bertindak bodoh dengan melupakan 12 tahun pendidikan dalam Bahasa Melayu?
Mengapa tidak kekalkan keupayaan berbahasa dalam Bahasa Melayu?
Mungkin kamu terlalu lemah untuk berbuat demikian. Keupayaan individu memang berbeza, saya tidak menyalahkan kamu.
Kamu sudah sesat terhadap fungsi bahasa sebagai alat pengantaraan dengan isi penyampaian. Jika “kiri” dalam Bahasa Melayu, ia tidak bermakna “kanan” dalam Bahasa Inggeris.
Saya lihat cara penghujahan kamu, kamu sudah berputus-asa terhadap Malaysia….
Saya tak rasa tahap penguasaan Bahasa Inggeris kamu baik. Jika hanya sekadar boleh elakkan sebarang kesalahan tatabahasa, ini tidak bermakna ayat yang dibentukkan itu bermutu. Sekali pandang cara kamu menbentuk ayat dan perkataan yang dipilih, saya boleh pasti bahawa kamu bukan pengamal asal Bahasa Inggeris.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
PEMBETULAN:
berpendapatan = berpendapat
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Dear Progressive Friends
There was a very interesting programme on pay TV
the other day on how Seoul tackled its
traffic problem i.e. using buses, the subway,
computerisation and DISMANTLING a motorway!
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
nkkhoo,
Please don’t get me wrong. I don’t think fluency in or preference for BM is a necessary measure of patriotism. To me, it doesn’t matter if a person speaks English, BM, Chinese, Tamil, Thai, Hindi, French, German… it is what is inside that is important.
I don’t know Wong Ka Wai and don’t necessarily agree with all his comments, but in the same way that it is OK for anyone to use English, it is also OK for Wong Ka Wai to use BM. I may be wrong, but your comments make me feel as though you’re antagonising him because his use of BM upsets you. You don’t like that we value BM? Why?
We need to start accepting each other. Why must we always make comparisons – BN vs PR, English vs BM, Person A vs Person B, Indonesian patriot vs Malaysian patriot..?
Just wondering… imagine if right from the start Wong Ka Wai used the pseudonym ‘Kammarrul Walid’. Would that have caught your ire? Would it be normal for ‘Kammarrul Walid’ to use BM, but inappropriate for Wong Ka Wai to use BM? How interesting…
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Eu Soon – hahah..you make me laugh
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Please don’t get me wrong. I don’t think fluency in or preference for BM is a necessary measure of patriotism. To me, it doesn’t matter if a person speaks English, BM, Chinese, Tamil, Thai, Hindi, French, German… it is what is inside that is important.
===
That fella blatantly labeled non-BM speaking Chinese is living in isolation and causing disunity. See how irrational that BM speaker in his mind.
Talking about national identity. Malaysians are notorious for talking big in everything, but mostly their projects end up on paper.
Firstly, I do not object and criticize Wong to use his beloved “Bahasa Melayu”. But I have my own rights and freedom to dislike BM in any democratic country.
Didn’t you feel funny when he tried to be an armchair English and Malay language expert? He related my personal choice of not using BM after my graduation as “keupayaan rendah” to master Bahasa Malaysia….
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Ok folks, the post is about the Penang Transport Council, Porr and sustainable transport. Could we go back to the original topic, please?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
anilnetto…ok
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0