Now this is alarming: not only is the 18km tolled Penang Outer Ring Road back on the cards again, the concessionaire is reportedly seeking to reclaim 61ha of land off Gurney Drive and 142ha at Middle Bank, close to the Weld Quay jetties.
When it comes to taking a stand on Porr, is there much to separate the BN from the Pakatan state government?
They both think that building more and more highways is the solution to congestion. Forget climate change and global warming – that doesn’t seem to figure prominently in their planning.
What about a bus rapid transit system or other forms of public transport to reduce the number of private vehicles on the road? No, they must think BIG = big highway and bridge infrastructure projects = good for Business.
Such is their thinking. More cars and highways = progress. They are probably not thinking of the congestion in say, another generation; they might not be around then. For now at least, the mighty $$$ rules.
See the story in theSun here.
DAP stand on PORR – LKS
Liong Sik and MCA are heading for another public humiliation in being pressured to define and define statisfactorily the “indefinite suspension” of party membership of Tan and Lim according to the dictates of Gerakan and Penang UMNO
Media Statement
by Lim Kit Siang
(Penang, Thursday): MCA President, Datuk Seri Dr. Ling Liong Sik and the MCA Presidential Council are heading for another public humiliation in being pressured to define and define satisfactorily the “indefinite suspension” of the party membership of Tan Cheng Liang (Jawi) and Lim Boo Chang (Datuk Keramat) for abstaining in the vote on the motion by the DAP Assemblyman for Batu Lanchang, Law Heng Kiang in the recent Penang State Assembly to defer the RM1.02 billion Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) project.
Gerakan Deputy President, Datuk Kerk Choo Ting had reiterated that Gerakan would protest to the Barisan Nasional Supreme Council over the “indefinite suspension” of the Penang MCA duo as “too lenient” (Sin Chew Daily) while UMNO Youth leader, Datuk Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has declared that UMNO Youth would raise at the UMNO Supreme Council meeting tomorrow the “highly questionable” disciplinary action taken against Tan and Lim and would “give an assessment as to whether MCA is committed to support the spirit of Barisan Nasional solidarity”. (Utusan Malaysia)
The stage appears to be set for Liong Sik and the MCA Presidential Council to be humiliated another time, in having to define and define satisfactorily to Gerakan and Penang UMNO’s acceptance the exact meaning of “indefinite suspension” to ensure that it contains at least the following elements:
That the indefinite suspension of Tan and Lee would continue till the end of their current tenure as State Assembly member.
That both would not be renominated as candidates for the next general election.
That prior notice be given to other Barisan Nasional component parties and their consent sought before the “indefinite suspension” of the MCA membership of Tan and Lee are terminated.
Gerakan is in fact spearheading a two-prong attack on the MCA, protesting on the one hand the “insincerity”, “farce” and “mockery” of the “indefinite suspension” of the Penang MCA duo while on the other hand, escalating the pressure on MCA by demanding disciplinary action against the MCA Penang State Chairman, Wong Kam Hoong for being the “instigator” behind Tan and Lim’s breach of Barisan Nasional discipline making it untenable for Wong to continue as parliamentary secretary to the Ministry of Domestic and Consumer Affairs.
This is why the Gerakan secretary-general Chia Kwang Chye said that Gerakan is preparing its case against Wong for the January meeting of the Barisan Nasional supreme Council and it would not reveal further “proof” of its accusation against Wong until then. (New Straits Times)
There is also the possibility the Gerakan may launch a third-prong attack on the MCA by zeroing on Liong Sik himself on the ground that he had gravely undermined the image, credibility and integrity of the Barisan Nasional when the MCA President said publicly on Monday that PORR is not a Federal project, with the shocking quote:
“The PORR is not a Federal Government project and we don’t have a clue what it involves. It is a Penang outer ring road, not a Federal Territory or Johor outer ring road… As far as we’re concerned, we don’t want to make a stand on something we know nothing about.”
It was already an aggravated humiliation for Liong Sik and MCA when Gerakan Penang Chief Minister, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon announced yesterday two Barisan Nasional task forces to oversee constituency responsibilities for the two constituencies, Jawi and Datuk Keramat, one headed by UMNO and the other by Gerakan, completely ignoring that they are MCA constituencies and without consultation or consent of national or state MCA.
Liong Sik and the MCA Presidential Council can expect no public sympathy for their repeated humiliations if they continue to be weak-kneed, unprincipled, opportunistic and self-serving in dealing with the controversy over the abstention on the DAP motion on PORR by Tan and Lim, especially when they are:
afraid to point out that no disciplinary action was taken against the four UMNO Terengganu State Assemblymen for violating the Barisan Nasional stand to oppose the PAS Terengganu Syariah Criminal Bill (Hudud and Qisas) by abstaining during the voting on the Bill in the Terengganu State Assembly on July 8; and
fearful of defending the abstention of the Penang duo in the interests of the people of Penang and by using the Vision 2020 enunciated by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad for a fully developed nation by achieving one of the nine strategic objectives of “a mature democratic society practising a form of mature consensual community-oriented Malaysian democracy that can be a model for many developing countries”.
Liong Sik and the MCA Presidential Council should pose to the Barisan Nasional Supreme Council the serious question as to how Malaysia could achieve Vision 2020 and become a fully developed nation status with “a mature consensual community-oriented democracy” when elected representatives are banned from reflecting the views and aspirations of the people as in the PORR project!
What is most pathethic and a real eye-opener for the people however is that the MCA Team B leaders are even more weak-kneed, unprincipled, opportunistic and self-serving in the controversy over the Penang MCA duo, demonstrating their total lack of political vision or ideals and their sole obsession with toppling and replacing the MCA Team A, whatever the cost and utterly indifferent about the interests of the people, political principles or party integrity.
(19/12/2002)
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
If we continue to move the main thrust of development from Georgetown to the south and south west of the island and from the island to the mainland, there will be less pressure for more roads.
Very often, traffic jams are cause by stupid planning. The 3rd lane on Penang bridge is a much waited relief for many bridge users. However, along the coastal highway from the bridge to Queensbay Mall, an idiot from PDC had put in place a bottleneck. Imagine heavy traffic from two 4 lane highways being channeled into a single 2 lane bottleneck which is locked in place from side way expansion by an overhead pedestrian crossing bridge. We are resigned to cursing that stupidity every workday morning.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
You people out there knows how to talk … You condemn LGE for whatever he do or propose. When he talk about LRT/Tram, you say wasting money and he’s looking for $$$. Now he mention PORR, people says his idea is stupid, again looking for $$$. If he doesn’t do anything people says he’s inefficient, inexperience. Why can’t you people who object or critical of PR rule give some good solutions. Talk is cheap. I guess this group are B-end supporters trying to run down LGE & PR. What has been done by you people when you rule, $$$$?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
what kinda idiocy is this?
I know many appose the PGCC but PORR? Sometimes Anil, you seem to be over reacted and you shouldn’t write in your article sounded like your thought is on behalf of Penangites. Buses and transit (or tramp) might be your liking but we like to drive. We loves our car. No matter how good the pubic transportation is in Penang, peoples will still drive. This is Penangites. Why do you think Penang have most porsch and amount of cars around (ratio:ratio) in Malaysia? If we only care to travels from A – B then we can go on bicycle or even on bike. So public transport is not relevant, although i agree it should be much better and serve those who desire. The government should really clean up some old buses and make a plan for a better public transportation.
PORR is a solution for us, (most of us) Penangites that use a lot of driving around, working peoples, sales person, marketing and etc. This helps and it reduce our cost of gas and also driving distance. With that it naturally clean up the air and minus off some pollution. Since the gurney is now a muddy sea front, this can be a solution to it as well.
Me and my buddy and I believe most Penangites will be lighting up firework if this goes thru.
Those who speak up about the tol (if) they need to pay for using any highway or ring road.. nobody is stopping you from driving the old way right? The road you use to drive is always there. So why complaint?
Some drink kopi “o” for 1myr, some pay 10myr for a cup at *bucks. So if you don’t like the 10myr coffee, you can always opt for the 1myr kopi “o”, but why stop starbucks from opening to those who want it? What is wrong with you people?
Btw, anil… $$$ always rulez. Plain & simple. Just accept the fact.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Do Penang want to be like Singapore? Expressways and Pay and Pay. Or Penang find its own solution with better and more efficient public transport. Do Penang people really have a hand in making this decision? Or is it going to be shaft down their throats.
The only way Penang gets what it want is for People in Penang to take responsibility in their hands. Tell the govt of the day or BN, do what we want or you are out. And in no uncertain terms. LGE, KTK, UMNO, BN give us what we want or you are gone. Do not wait for the politicians to come to you.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Use horses or donkeys instead if no development is allowed.
Be realistic peoples, Penang depends pretty much from Central/Fed Gov for monetary support for major projects. Penang does not have much choice(s) unless the Fed Gov is taken over by PAKATAN.
Don’t just complaint and complaint, its not easy to rule. We cannot please everyone.
No development means no income for the state gov to run the administrative effectively. JUST BE REALISTIC in this 21st century, we are not living in dark age.
Don’t get me wrong that I am all for PORR, but, Penang needs to move on with or without PORR.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
public transport is the best way to solve traffic problems in penang island in the long run… more roads will only encourage increase in car amount, which will be our future problem like now… more roads, more cars, more roads, more cars… it is simply endless…
while we know public transport is a good method, implemented in well developed cities, why dont we learn their success secret?!
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
dear KM,
i know we need development… but instead of developing more roads, why dont we develope better public transport?!
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
@ Ong Eu Soon (September 17th, 2009 at 9.00pm) “The proposed large scale reclaimation will trigger urgy competition of lands as it will set a bad precedent for other developers to go for large scale land reclaimation work. This will rob the orginal seafront property owners the exclusivity of natural landscape. Thereby reduced their property value. This is worse than the KBP and Tanjong Tokong Malay village case.”
- No, it is NOT worse than large corporations using their power and influence to essentially force the less fortunate out of their homes (compensated or not). The people who currently own “seafront properties” (more like stinky swampfront to me) along Gurney Drive won’t become homeless and won’t have to work out where to relocate their cows if they had any. In fact, it is likely PORR won’t happen because the people who own properties along Gurney Drive and the developers who own or are developing properties in the area will themselves have enough power, money and influence to stop it – Unlike KBP villagers.
@ wira (September 18th, 2009 at 11.12am) “If we continue to move the main thrust of development from Georgetown to the south and south west of the island and from the island to the mainland, there will be less pressure for more roads.”
- Actually, this phenomenon is called ‘urban sprawl’, which is generally considered bad planning, foolishly inefficient and will just lead to greater reliance on cars.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
We should not oppose the PORR or BORR project as it will relieve road congestion in Penang Island & Butterworth. What we oppose is not for some UMNO cronies who have NO EXPERIENCE, MONEY and without doing any work get to benefit financially.I remember the UMNO company which was awarded the project (worth RM 5 billion)only has a paid capital of only RM 50,000. Isn`t this is outrageous.
Let me gave another example of 1 housing project worth 100 million in Penang. The land is the Penang state government land given under the guise of joint project to this UMNO cronies. Kg Buah Pala was sold to an UMNO cronies and this land is no different. The project was awarded to a UMNO company which has very limited finance. The company in turn gave the project to a Chinese listed company to build the project. In turn this UMNO company (allegedly) got commission without doing any job. Now after the 18 months warranty, the Chinese listed company wash its hand off and asked us to refer to the UMNO company (developer) for any problems. The developer is not the listed company as they are only the builder for this UMNO developer. Now problems cropped up as this developer has no experience. Moreover this UMNO developer office has only 1 or 2 clerks working. Now they are holding on to the sinking and management fund and has kept dilly dally on the transfer. JUST IMAGINE 10-15% OF 100 MILLIONS WITHOUT DOING ANY WORK.
Any projects that benefit the people and state of Penang is OK as long as there is transparency, competency and accountability. The previous government of GERAKAN … has none of it and are the (alleged) cheater of the people of Penang for the benefits of the cronies of UMNO.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I recognise that funding for and focus on better public transport and similar alternatives is disproportionate to development of motorways. I’m also a staunch environmentalist.
However, I can accept having better motorways as *one of* (not the only) solution to relieving congestion. I outlined in my comment on September 10th, 2009 at 3.09pm “Pg Transport Council’s biggest test could be Porr” that relieving congestion can help transition into increased use of sustainable transport in the long run.
Nonetheless, I do agree that further land reclamation must not be encouraged because of a range of foreseeable and inevitably unforeseeable consequences. We should instead learn to make better use of the space we currently have.
Everything taken together, my view is that PORR is a no go because:
1. Although it is OK to develop highways hand-in-hand with enhancing public transport as a means of reducing congestion,
2. we need to look at our land mass/space carefully to work out where we can put any future highways, and land reclamation is not an option.
3. If we don’t really have appropriate space, then to work with what we have means focusing on our much neglected public transport system.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I think a partially implemented PORR in conjunction with clean, reliable, efficient & frequent bus lines can solve some of the traffic woes facing the island.
For the longer term, Penang Rapid Transit (PERT) train services are needed to cover the whole Penang metropolitan area. We should model it after BART in San Francisco, MRT in Singapore, Taiper MRT or the Beijing Subway, by cloning the best parts from each system.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
For inspiration see:
1.
2.
Note on 1: I like his comment “the car is like your mother-in-law. You have to have a good relationship with her, but she cannot command your life. So when the only woman in your life is your mother-in-law, you have a problem”!
Note on 2: The video is worth watching even though our problems aren’t exactly the same as the Bronx or Bogota. In fact, our problem is almost the opposite – Penangites love their cars (too much) and Penang has too many cars.
Nonetheless, their successes are inspirational and proves that with collective will Penang *can* be inspirational too. Her talk is also very topical because she talks about urban planning deficit and developers, government and community not working together.
Her stance is moderate, which I think many of us can learn from – “Now let’s get this straight. I am not anti-development. Ours is a city, not a wilderness preserve… So I don’t have a problem with developers making money… I do have a problem with developments that hyper-exploit politically vulnerable communities for profit.”
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Sorry above urls didn’t come up.
1. http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/jaime_lerner_sings_of_the_city.html
2. http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/majora_carter_s_tale_of_urban_renewal.html
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Dear Anil,
Here in Subang Jaya, there is a LOT to separate between Pakatan and BN with regards to “development”. Residents work closely with DAP ADUN Hannah Yeoh http://hannahyeoh.blogspot.com/ Several success stories. Traffic congestion – it now takes me 5 mins to leave Subang Jaya in the morning compared to almost half an hour previously. The solution – traffic study followed by re-timing of traffic lights at key junctions, traffic diversion, cones, no U-turns etc. It took only several months to implement at a fraction of the cost of the RM250 mil spent over several years by the previous BN ADUN to construct a network of the ugliest highways and flyovers criss-crossing Subang Jaya that made construction companies rich without solving the problem. The joke among people in the Klang Valley is that the “Highways and flyovers force you to pay toll and enable you to reach the traffic jams faster”. That’s exactly what it is – you pay toll, you zip along the highway, and you end up at the bottleneck on the other end. It’s going to be worst in Penang. IT WON’T SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
Another battle, this time with regards to Subang Ria Park, which is the only park in Subang Jaya. Sime Darby wants to “develop” the land. We, the residents, do not want to see this park vanish. Our ADUN is with us all the way as we continue the battle with Sime Darby since the days of BN.
Don’t want to bore you with other examples. All I want to say is ADUN Hannah Yeoh, a born-and-bred resident of Subang Jaya, campaigned on the grounds that “We DO NOT want any more development in Subang Jaya” – and she’s living up to that promise every single day.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Good. Hope there are more Aduns like that around. Maybe Penang can learn from Subang Jaya.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Anil
Sometimes, you do not think. Subang may sovlve its traffic but many of the vehicles are going outside Subang and clog up the roads in PJ and KL. I have many friends, love to be a PJlites but work in KL. As the result, KL is very pollutted and full of cars. PJlites are selfish. They are about themslves. They bring their rubbish to outside places. The solution is public transport but Malaysians are spoiled. They do not walk to talk for 10 to 15min for public transport. You can see cars are double and triple park and occupied footpath and bicycle or motorcycle lanes.
Dear kingkong, totally support you on the need to do something about public transport and reduce private motor vehicle dependency. – Anil
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I would support the PORR project PROVIDED it has an open tender system.Looking in the long term , PORR will do more good than harm, i’m using the concept of utilitarianism as there’s no clear right or wrong answer. We have to weigh the pros and cons.
Anil, i think it would be great if you can conduct the poll :
-Whether Penangites prefer to have their car and have PORR to cut short their travelling distance
OR
- To increase the toll in the City centre and parking rates just like in Singapore and do away with PORR.
Thus, i honestly think, PORR should compliment the public transport system.
To revamp the public transport system, MPPP should have a fleet of busses than runs within the CBD and City centre and multi storey parking lots should be built at the edge of the city so as to enable ppl from suburbs to park their cars at the multi storey car park before hopping into the City Centre bus.
Take Jelutong expressway for example, i think it has eased the congestion at the Jelutong road.its very convinient for ppl in Gtown heading to Sg.Nibong and beyond.
Honestly, i think all these ppl advocating for anti PORR are SELFISH, to safeguard their property value.
We have to look at a bigger picture so as to make the whole Penang Island a community and a sustainable city.
I think Hunza’s boss would (be unhappy) if the government approved the PORR project. =)
Looking at most of the comments, everyone has their own agenda in this issue. I guess its human nature and humans are selfish and refuse to look at the bigger picture.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I was wondering , why is everyone bashing the PORR project. How come u guys are not bashing IJM for reclaiming a piece of land at ‘The Light Project’?? I think it’s not necessary at all.
I think its becauses those ppl staying at the Gurney drive stretch are from the upper class of society and they have a strong connection to voice out their worries about the impact to the ‘nature’ and etc..I think it’s more like their insecurity, and those ppl are selfish!
Im a strong supporter of Pakatan , as much as i despise the racist Ahmad Ismail who will be the indirect beneficiary to the PORR project, i think PORR should go ahead PROVIDED there’s an open tender system.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hi Anil
I think you are allowing 2 people to use the same pseudonym of “K”.
Sorry, I need to be more vigilant! – Anil
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
nkkhoo
I think you spoke too soon about PR’s success on flood prevention. The Hari Raya holidays saw the return of the flood yet again. To be frank I dont think MPPP has improved at all, in fact my friends there speak of constant political interference not just by exco members and CM but also by all kinds of small time politicians.
Penang is on the path of North Korea.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Dear 680 et al,
Fully agree with your suggestion (no question about it), but, we (state) still need Fed Gov for the fund. Politically link too. As whatever contract that would to be given to the company has to be linked to BeeEnd cronies if PAKATAN does not take over the Fed Gov.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It is so horrible every time to get to Tanjong Tokong via Pulau Tikus. Be it in the morning, afternoon or evening they all all the same. PORR will help and it is time for Penangites to have a good highway. Those so call concern on evironmental effect are just bunch of hippocrates. I don’t hear you talk so loud when the government approving tons of new highway in Klang valley? Why is it when comes to Penang, it is being exploited and exploded beyong propotion. Forget CAP they are buch of idiot anyway.
PENANGITES NEED PORR…WE NEED PORR…WE NEED PORR…ada paham!!!
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
This is for those who dont live in tg bungah, althoug residing but dont care travel time to airport and bayan lepas (southwest of the island).
I stay in tanjung bungah futher down a bit just before the floating mosque.
At leisure almost monthly, sundays saturdays me & friends from outstation will enjoy bt fghi beaches.
Most of the time i got to drive them to bayan lepas airport by going back down to tg bungah to tg tokong to gurneydrive to jalan sultan azlan shah to penang road to get into JE to bayan baru to sg. tiram to bayan lepas airport.If lucky, i made it 40minutes, if unlucky it was once 90minutes.
Jalan Sctoland to Jalan Masjid Negeri to Udini Road is most of the time pack traffice jam friday evening onwards.
When I had to take early flight to Subang from PEN
at 7.15am, i must leave Tg Bungah early at least 5.30am. Why? Anticipated any flood along the way to Bayan lepas airport on the normal routes and please bear in mind FireFlyz has their cut off check in time. PORR would ease this…just think for the foreign tourist.
Look at the condition of the old road to bt fghi.
Tell me what is it to be proud of? If tis road collopsed, please tell me what ambulance can reach there on time and return to medical centre ontime.
What is its a sickly tourist?
PORR could have been an alternative here.
Should i always got to cope this kind of trip to bayan lepas airport and bayan lepas to visit my parents for the next 20years when we have option for PORR.
Why is it when Fed did so many highways and road in KL Klang none CAP opposed like what you did to Penang with PORR?
PORR is also an infrastructure party to boost tourism.
Wake CAP, we Penangites need PORR, do you understand!!
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Penangites please understand, for infrastucture projects in states like Penang (PORR & 2nd link), states are bound to terms of Federal.
Please do homework to know the terms before shooting at CM DAP like CAP did telling to stop PORR, CAP wants this that this that this that…hello, know the terms!!!
States are not independent from Federal.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Mr Ong Eu Soon,
You updates of PORR company structure is long outdated.
What are the state land that DAP PR govt can give to Federal in exchange for tollfree road for us rakyat?
IJM was given reclaimed rites in exchanged for tollfree road for us rakyat. THAT is the IJM Module.
Mind you propose here, what state land and alreadi so limited!!!
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0