Gerakan praises Penanti assemblyman for questioning cost of PTM

GEORGE TOWN: Penanti assemblyman Dr Norlela Ariffin's move in questioning the cost of the Penang Transport Masterplan (PTM) is a bold move and should be emulated by other Penang state assemblymen, said the Penang Gerakan vice-chairman Oh Tong Keong.
He said the PKR assemblyman was indeed brave for questioning the DAP-led state government in the interests of the people in the state.
"There is truth in what she was saying because the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) line project was implemented by the government at a cost of RM21 billion without any activities that polluted the environment," he told reporters here today.
Last Monday, Norlela was reported to have made a "live video" on Facebook on her first experience riding the MRT, and in another video, made a comparison between the cost of MRT project and cost of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project to be implemented by the state government from the Tun Abdul Razak Complex (Komtar) to the Penang International Airport.
The 51km MRT SBK Line was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak the same day.
Oh said the DAP-led state government was still keen on implementing the PTM project despite being deluged with protests from the people and non-governmental organisations who were worried about the negative impact of the project on the economy, social, and environment.
"I personally do not understand why they (state government) persist in being stubborn and insist on going ahead with the project when it is said to bring more harm than good," he said.
Prior to this, the state announced that the PTM project, which costs RM27 billion, would also involve the construction of a 6.5km undersea tunnel, three expressways and the Penang Sky Cab. — Bernama