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"Sustainable development," is defined by the state government as "balanced development which will ultimately improve the quality of life for all in the long run, without destroying or jeopardising our natural environment and cultural heritage'' 

Aliran, the NGO, is sceptical

It points that following the repeal of rent control, many will have to vacate their homes without adequate compensation or alternative low-cost housing 

Aliran says that the traffic situation in Penang is worsening. The Penang government's solution is to keep widening the roads. There should be a greater commitment to creating an integrated public transport system that will encourage people to leave their cars at home. 

The 1.7 billion ringgit 'second link'  project is also criticised..  In the 1980s, about a dozen ferries were in service; now there are only  four or five ferries, with only single decks for vehicles. Instead of an expensive tunnel there should be more ferries, more terminals 

Aliran claims that Penang suffers from landslides, floods and overflowing rubbish bins. Even tap water has turned brown in some areas.  The neglect of the environment is also hurting the economy. The waters around Penang are filthy. The beaches along the tourism belt are strewn with litter while dirty water discharges into the sea. Tourists would rather spend their money in the cleaner islands of Thailand, where even the public toilets are much cleaner.

The emphasis on economic development has also led to social problems. State Health, Welfare, and Caring Society committee chairman Dr K Rajapathy revealed that Penang has the country's highest number of drug addicts with 14 per cent of the 35,359 addicts recorded last year.  Penang even moved up from its third position in 1998. 

There is growing evidence to suggest that Penangites are also becoming mentally sick. When a disturbed man on a roof-top tried to commit suicide recently, the crowd that gathered actually goaded him into jumping to his death. In another incident, the Star reported the case of a ferry passenger who drowned after falling into the sea. According to an eye-witness, none of the ferry crew members dived into the sea to save him as he tried to swim to reach the floats that were thrown at him. The victim was only 60 metres from the ferry when he went under. The eye-witness also said that there were commuters who were actually laughing and saying that the man would soon die. This is outrageous behaviour. What kind of society are we turning into? asks Aliran 
 

Gerald Samuel writes:

     AGREED there is as usual little consultation; and there may be issues pertaining to the transparency of the award of the tender. But to imply that an improvement in the ferry service would solve our transportation woes is at best naive.

There is a need for a link direct to the North -South highway from the island especially from the North. This will take away some pressure from the bridge which can barely cope now let alone in 5-10 years time, which would be about when a 2nd link is ready.

An improved ferry service is needed but will be very helpful to cars heading for Butterworth only, but not the daily traffic to SP and Kulim. Furthermore, workers in Georgetown will be able to have the choice of living on the mainland, buying houses  which they cannot afford now given the property prices on the island.

Of course the toll will be an issue but logically it has to be competitive;  but the possibility that tolls are high should not be the reason for not constructing the tunnel. That issue should be dealt with separately. It is not as if the concession holders are immune to public pressure as was seen
with the LDP tolls in KL.

It is uncertain whether the tunnel will increase the total number of cars coming in or not, but it will certainly make it easier for those who do. The traffic problem will be there in any city; it is unavoidable with increased affluence and it cannot be solved until there is some form of restriction on vehicle use, and I do not see the Malaysian public accepting that voluntarily. Public transport has to be improved for its users, but it is unlikely that the Malaysian driver will give up his precious car because of better public transport.

The focus should be really on how the tunnel can most effectively serve Penang rather than just opposing it.  -  Gerald Samuel 

[Ed. Note: The proposed 13 km second link will be part tunnel part bridge joining Bagan Ajam to Bagan Jermal It will cost RM1.7 billions and take three years to build. Lee Keng Fatt of the New Straits Times reminded critics that when the Bridge was built in 1982 loud protests were also to be heard but today the RM850 millions bridge is carrying 100.000 vehicles a day, its maximum capacity ]
 

TOWN HALL

The controversy over the Town Hall goes on. PHT chairman, Dr Choong Sim Boey has refuted Dr Teng Hock Nam's statement that the proposals of the 26 organisations would benefit only a small section of society He reminded Dr Teng that the Hall was built in 1880 for that very purpose. The Hall should not be used by government departments 

[Ed Note:  the Town Hall is a gazetted and listed building]
 
 

CABLE CAR

Discussion continues. The latest to join in is Chia Kwang Chye, parliamentary secretary to the ministry of Energy, Communications and Multimedia. In a surprise statement he points out that the  proposed 7.5 km RM200m Penang Hill - Telok Bahang cable car link is outside the Local Plan which has already provided for another link to the Youth Park. Mr Kwang Chye urges a thorough review and publicising of the proposed development. It will appear that the Youth Park scheme is still alive and kicking