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CAP against rm1 bil loan for penang transport

  • Publication Date | July 23, 2018
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Development & Planning
  • Issues | Planning, Transport, Urban Development
  • Tags | EIA, LRT, PIL, PTMP
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This is a Consumers’ Association of Penang’s Media Statement (Kenyataan Akhbar) supported by Sahabat Alam Malaysia.

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) is shocked that the Penang State Government is seeking a RM 1 billion loan from the Federal Government to jump start the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) to facilitate the Pan Island Link (PIL) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) projects.

Earlier, the Penang Chief Minister Chow KonYeow and his predecessor who is presently the Finance Minister, had assured the public that the project would not involve any public funds.

Now a different story is being told and if this loan goes through, it may put at risk the financial situation of the state of Penang.  There are large economic and environmental risks associated with the PTMP and it is doubtful that some key projects linked to the plan can generate revenue to pay for themselves.

Moreover, what if it is later found that the RM 1 billion is insufficient and the State would have to borrow even more? This will only add a heavier burden on the State and the people of Penang.

We have been told by the Federal government, including the Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng that Malaysia cannot afford to have new mega-projects because of the trillion-ringgit national debt.

Why should an exception be made for the PTMP?   The estimated cost of the project is over RM40 billion.

Indeed, funds from the Federal Government are required for Penang. But these funds are needed for essential expenses including the rehabilitation of hundreds of hillslopes and hill areas affected by landslides and by neglect and improving the state of our rivers and the creation of green spaces and permeable surfaces to absorb rain water.  Funds are also needed for rehabilitation and conservation of coastal areas such asbeaches and mangrove forests, flood mitigation projects, and improving the living conditions of vulnerable and poor communities.

These are all vital areas for financing if Penang is to recover from the damages caused by recent storms, high winds, heavy rainfall and floods and to prevent or minimise future such problems.

The Penang government should be requesting the Federal Government to urgently finance a comprehensive strategy and plan to avoid future floods and other environmental disasters.

The PTMP, especially with the cutting of hills and the massive land reclamation from the sea would add on to these environmental problems rather than solving them.

CAP reiterates its call for a comprehensive review of the entire PTMP.

The recent release of the Environmental Impact Assessment for the PIL shows that many public amenities, including the Youth Park, schools, temples, and sensitive areas such as Penang Hill and other hills will be seriously affected. Many communities are now waking up to the fact that the PTMP will have a disastrous effect on the way of life and environment in Penang.

This PTMP should be suspended until a comprehensive review is done and the communities which will be seriously affected in Penang are able to understand the impacts of the Pan Island Link (PIL) and are able to provide feedback.

The Penang State Government should not be asking for the RM 1 billion loan to accelerate the PTMP’s implementation and the Federal Government should not be providing such a loan.

S.M. Mohamed Idris

President

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Testimonials

Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah satu badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang telah sekian lama berjuang mempertahan kelestarian alam. Ia juga mendidik masyarakat tentang pentingnya kebersamaan dalam pemikiran dan tindakan agar alam ini dapat kita wariskan kepada generasi hadapan dalam keadaan yang elok dan terpelihara. Dalam pada itu juga SAM giat membantu golongan nelayan pantai dalam memperjuangkan hak-hak mereka sehinggalah tertubuhnya Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING). Nelayan pantai sepenuh masa ini dididik oleh SAM sehingga mereka mampu memainkan peranan sebagai pemimpin nelayan yang meneruskan kesinambungan memperjuangkan hak-hak nelayan pantai lainnya. Sebagai contoh SAM telah berjaya menyedarkan masyarakat nelayan keperluan menjaga hutan paya bakau untuk kebaikan hasil tangkapan nelayan itu sendiri.
Jamaluddin Mohamad Bualik
Jamaluddin Mohamad BualikPersatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING)
During the 1980s, I used to read about the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) in the news. After retirement, some time in 2001, while lazing around, I read news about the construction of a carbon in leach plant using sodium cyanide to extract gold in Bukit Koman. My friends and I visited CAP and we were introduced to SAM and her legal team. We discussed the details of filing a case against the gold mining company and the department of environment with Ms Meenakshi Raman and her legal team. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between lawyers from SAM and many of us from Bukit Koman. We had many ups and downs in our struggle to shut down the gold mine that was causing a nuisance in our village. But, as a community we never gave up because SAM had our backs.
Hue Fui How
Hue Fui HowSecretary, Bukit Koman Ban Cyanide in Goldmining Action Committee (BCAC)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah sebuah NGO yang memperjuangkan nasib masyarakat luar bandar khasnya. SAM menerima aduan-aduan masyarakat dan menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi. SAM telah mewujudkan ramai aktivis-aktivis sosial dan alam sekitar. Pada era 1980 dan 90an SAM sangat dihormati oleh masyarakat dan agensi kerajaan. Apabila media sosial menguasai maklumat maka SAM pun terkesan dan masalah masyarakat terus disalurkan dengan pelbagai cara. SAM perlu mewujudkan aktivis-aktivis pelapis yang muda untuk terus membantu masyarakat. SAM juga perlu membuat perubahan supaya banyak turun kelapangan dan jangan mengharapkan laporan media sahaja. Tingkatkan prestasi sebagaimana pada zaman kegemilangan SAM di era 80-90an.
Che Ani Mt Zain
Che Ani Mt Zain
SAM taught me the importance of social activism and the role it plays in upholding the rights of people and the protection of the environment. In my experience, SAM has never hesitated to speak up in defence of people and their environment, and has gone the extra mile to champion their rights, by helping communities take their battles to the higher ups and even to the courts.
Jessica Binwani
Jessica BinwaniPublic/Private Interest Lawyer
Semenjak kami kenal SAM, banyak pengalaman dan pengetahuan yg kami dapat. Kami telah belajar cara membuat baja asli daripada SAM. Semenjak itu, bermulalah minat kami dalam aktiviti pertanian. Dengan memperolehi kemahiran dalam membuat baja asli dan penanaman lestari, kami juga telah dapat menambahkan pendapatan sampingan kami. Ini lebih baik daripada tanah kami terbiar dan tidak diusahakan. Terima kasih SAM kerana sudi memberi bantuan dan tunjuk ajar kepada Persatuan kami.
Chedo Anak Nyuwen
Chedo Anak NyuwenPersatuan Penduduk Sg Buri, Bakong, Marudi
My journey with SAM started when her community organisers took me to the meet the paddy farmers of Kedah, connecting my growing interest in environmental law with our people who struggle to work the land in the face of pollution, replacement of traditional seeds with commercial hybrids and their accompanying chemical package of fertilisers and weedicides. I then had the honour to work with SAM in the struggle for the rights of the native communities of Sarawak, in defence of their forests from massive logging and destructive mega-projects. In every issue that SAM takes up, she combines rigorous research with the realities and voices of the communities to advocate for policies and laws that care for people and nature. From the courts to the elected legislators to policy makers and implementers and to the United Nations, SAM walks side by side with the communities in Malaysia. How can I not be inspired by the vision and passion of the generations of women and men who coalesce to form SAM?
Chee Yoke Ling
Chee Yoke Lingstudent of SAM, Executive Director of Third World Network, SAM’s sister organisation

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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki, 11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi, Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

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