Guan Eng defends PTMP

GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today defended his administration over the RM27 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) against criticisms.

He said the PTMP was to ensure future generations are taken care off and that Penang will not lose out to regional competitors.

Without naming names, he swiped at critics saying the PTMP was not for one or two "senang" (well-off or carefree) people but for the more than a million Penang residents.

Taking the proposed light rail transit (LRT) project, a component of the PTMP, as an example, he said the project was to provide convenience to benefit the people.

"We want to make things easier," he said in his speech at the opening of the RM1.87 million road upgrading project to link Jalan Bunga Hinai to Jalan Bunga Kaca Piring here.

Lim said there was a delay in the project due to having to move 10 squatter families in the area even though the tender was awarded in 2012.

He said the squatters have since been successfully relocated to various housing schemes in November 2014.

"Work started in 2015 and was completed in May this year," he said.
He also noting the cost was high for a 100m road upgrade due to the steep slope as the upgrade work also included soil strengthening and the construction of a retaining wall to strengthen the slope.