PAS feels vindicated by controversies surrounding Penang undersea tunnel

GEORGE TOWN: PAS believes it has been proven right, as they were among the earliest parties to condemn the proposed RM6.3 billion cross-channel undersea tunnel here, before the project became riddled with all kinds of alleged controversies.
Penang PAS secretary Iszuree Ibrahim said that the party started to take a critical view of the project back in 2014 after it noticed that the state government had gone off tangent in dealing with issues relating to squatters and the environment.
"For us, it was more on the environment. Only now, we have been reading reports of various controversies and possible financial scandals over the project."
Firstly, the undersea tunnel has drawn protests from various quarters over the possible ecological damage to the channel waters due to the construction process.
Then, there is a mounting squatter issue in areas such as Tanjong Tokong, Batu Ferringhi, Batu Uban and Butterworth, which cannot be resolved amicably.
"It reflected that the DAP-led state government had apparently got their priorities wrong. We should be placing more emphasis on the squatter issues instead of diving into more development," said Iszuree in an interview.
He was outspoken on the issue when he was the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) councillor, before he was forcibly removed in 2014.
"Now, history has come back to bite the state. I was among the pioneers who had pointed out that the undersea tunnel and too much development will backfire. Now I am proven right," said Iszuree.
Penang was later also inundated with floods for a record 20 times last year, with the biggest ever coming in November.
Again, this comes from an over-emphasis on development instead of courting conservation and preservation measures in Penang, he added.
"Our drainage system was unable to withstand the gushing mud waters which flowed down from hillslope projects as there were no tree roots to soak up the waters."
He said that such issues will resonate in the coming general election as floods, landslides and mega-projects will affect the people in one way or another.
According to Iszuree, PAS will be taking up such issues when it campaigns in Penang.