Be transparent about PIL 1, say the people of Penang

GEORGE TOWN (July 27): Citizens Awareness Chant Group (Chant) said the people urged the Penang government to be transparent about the proposed Pan Island Link 1 (PIL 1) highway project.

According to the NST, Chant adviser Yan Lee said that a number of the elderly citizens had brought up concerns over the project construction having an adverse impact on their daily lives.

There was too much misinformation, which needed to be cleared up, he said.

“The uncles and aunties are asking if heavy vehicles will fall on their houses in the event of accidents.

“This is why we have been fighting for a public consultation on the project so that all these queries can be answered once and for all.

“Just remember that more than 90% of the people of Penang have given the strongest mandate yet to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s administration, and under the New Malaysia, the authorities are answerable to the people,” he told the NST.

Yan said that public engagement with all segments of society would be welcomed, citing the disconnect between the publicly displayed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, which may be too technical for regular Penangites, reported the daily.

“We really hope that a town hall of sorts can be held by year’s end, before the start of the project proper.”.

Chow issued a statement on Thursday, reported the NST, decrying the inaccurate PIL 1 highway project representation by several non-governmental organisations.

The EIA for the proposed PIL 1 is up for public display for 30 days, from July 11 until August 30 this year.

The public can access the report at 10 locations including the National Library, Environment and Natural Resources Ministry in Putrajaya, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) apart from Department of Environment (DOE) and the website of the state government.