Reclamation efforts for PTMP hangs in the balance: Jagdeep

GEORGE TOWN: There is no indication whether the Federal Government will approve or reject a proposal to reclaim three islands off the south coast of Penang island.
Penang Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh (pix) said the state has yet to receive any indication so far.
He said the state has submitted the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for assessment as required by the law.
"Either they approve or not, we have complied with the Act (Environmental Quality Act 1974) so we are waiting for the response," he said in a press conference today.
He was asked about the proposal to reclaim some 1,821ha islands after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak reportedly said the federal administration could not support the plan.
The premier had cited the 1,500 fishermen there who will be affected by the reclamation as a reason when he visited Balik Pulau on Aug 26.
The reclamation is to fund the ambitious RM27 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) but its fate now seems to be hanging in the balance.
Earlier, Jagdeep welcomed the Urban Well-being, Local Government and Housing Ministry to consider building People's Public Housing (PPR) units on two plots of state land totaling some 4ha in Jelutong here.
He nonetheless said the two plots were bisected by a 14ha plot belonging to the federal government and urged all three plots to be amalgamated so more PPR units could be built to benefit the people.
He estimated the combined 18ha plot could accommodate more than 7,000 PPR units which could cater to rising housing needs.
He pointed out the waiting list for PPR housing in Penang currently stood at 2,008 applicants and so would welcome the dramatic increase in supply for PPR units.
"Bear in mind the list is not static and the additional PPR units will cater to a bigger pool," he added.
Jagdeep also expressed his hope the willingness to consider additional PPR units in Penang was not an election ploy and would be followed through to completion.