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Proposed three major road projects in Penang: Not a solution to traffic problems

  • Publication Date | July 13, 2017
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Development & Planning
  • Issues | Planning, Reclamation, Transport, Urban Development
  • Tags | Penang Outer Ring Road, PORR
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Many Penangites may not be aware that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed three major road projects in Penang has been displayed for public comments since 19 June 2017.

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) have written to the Department of Environment (DOE) to request an extension of time for public feedback (which is due on 19 July 2017). We are awaiting a response.

Normally, EIA reports will be displayed for a month and another two weeks will be allocated to submit comments. But not in this case, although it involves a large population of Penang.

Many of those potentially affected by this project may not even know that the road will be very close to their homes, offices, businesses or that it will cut across forested areas and rivers.  Some of the impacts are irreversible, such as clearing of forests, cutting of hills and acquisition of houses and land

What is at stake here?  Following is a brief description of the projects as stated in the EIA:

l  Package 1:          North Coastal Paired Road from Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahangcovering length of 10.53km of which 2.275km is elevated. The last 3.3km  traverses through Bukit Kerajaan Forest Reserve and Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve and ends at the connection to Jalan Teluk Bahang, near the Sekolah Kebangsaan Teluk Bahang.

l  Package 2: Air Itam – Lebuhraya Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu By-Pass covering length of 5.7km of which 3.8km is elevated. The proposed roads are dual two lane carriageway (four lanes).  The route from Lebuhraya Thean Teik skirts around forested and hilly area towards Jalan Bukit Gambir.

l  Package 3:  Persiaran Gurney–Lebuhraya Tun Dr. Lim Chung Eu By-Pass covering length of 4.075km with 2.025km double deck elevated road, and 2.050km double deck tunnel.

Land use along the alignment

A total of 238 plots of land will be acquired for the three road projects. These involve 3.34 hectares (ha) in two permanent reserved forests, 34.5ha state land forest, 16.5ha of forested land, private land, state and federal land. Total area acquired for Package 1 is 600,555 square metres.  Package 2 involves acquisition of 216,606 square metres, and Package 3 involves 9,792 square metres.

Land use distribution along the road corridor (right of way – ROW) in Package 1 covers 348,651 square metres of forests or nearly 52% of the total area.  Package 2 ROW covers nearly 45% of forest area (165,334 square metres).  Package 3 runs through the town centre consisting of residential, commercial and industrial areas.

Forests and Hills

The alignment of Package 1 passing through the Teluk Bahang forested areas will include removal of one endemic and unique species of tree i.e Atuna penangiana (Kerusing gasing) which is listed as vulnerable.  Among other flora, a total of 253 species of trees has been recorded here. Removal of these vegetation will bring about habitat degradation, fragmentation, transformation or complete loss.

Package 1 and Package 2 traverses through hilly areas with maximum elevation on 159m (near Moonlight Bay) and 110m (near Menara Greenview) respectively. 

Landslides and Faults

The road construction will involve cutting of slopes and rock blasting. According to records of the Jabatan Kerja Raya, landslides have occurred near areas along the alignment of Package 1 and Package 2.

It is stated in the EIA report that according to the Feasibility Study Report, the alignment for Package 1 crosses over several inferred geological faults, for example Sungai Satu Faults and Sungai Kelian – Sungai Pinang Faults and spanning over the Sungai Siru Fault.

Rivers and Flood Prone Areas

The proposed project will traverse through various river catchments. A total of 21 rivers may be affected due to earthworks for the road project.  This will lead to soil erosion and sedimentation of the rivers downstream if proper mitigation measures are not in place. 

Package 1 will cross seven rivers and the largest catchment areas are Sungai Batu Ferringhi (11.546 square kilometres) and Sungai Teluk Bahang (12.273 square kilometres).  Package 2 crosses part of Paya Terubong and Sungai Dondang towards Gelugor area.  Part of the alignment falls within the Sungai Pinang and Sungai Gelugor river basins, which finally drains into the sea.

Package 2 and Package 3 fall within a flood prone area. The entire alignment for Package 3, which includes the tunnel component, falls within the flood prone area of the Sungai Pinang catchment. 

Sungai Pinang is a river highly prone to overflowing, and historical data of water level since 1985 show that maximum water level recorded each year till now surpasses the danger level of 2.70 metres, except for 1988, recording 2.47 metres but way above warning level of 2.10 metres.  The highest flood occurred in 1995 at 3.79 metres.

Noise, air pollution, vibration

Residents along the proposed road corridor will be affected by air pollution, dust, noise and vibration.  The EIA states that residents in the high rise buildings will no longer see clear sky but in place, an elevated road passing near their homes and change the visual aesthetics in the area.

Need for proper public consultation of people affected by major roads

The project proponent i.e the State government should hold a public exhibition at major residential areas that will be affected by the road alignment because many of them may not know about these proposed projects.  Genuine public opinion should be sought, and not merely rely on the survey carried out by the EIA consultants.

More roads not a solution to traffic

Besides the environmental, health and socio-economic impacts arising from construction of all the three roads, CAP & SAM had stated numerous times that the road projects are not needed.

A number of studies have shown that, while new road projects or road widening may offer temporary relief in the short run, it is no real solution to traffic congestion.

New roads create new traffic. Once a new road is fully operational, it will invariably attract more traffic. While some of this may be traffic diverted from more congested roads, the rest will be, new motorised traffic as a result of an increase in the use of cars.

The three major road projects proposed now is the revival of the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) project served in a different plate.  The PORR then was vehemently  opposed by the people of Penang. Now the people have to decide whether they want more highways traversing through environmentally sensitive areas and residential areas.  Public comments to the DOE is vital.

We reiterate that Penang does not need more road projects that is going to compromise sustainable transport options. There must be a comprehensive and rational transport strategy for Penang. The thrust must be on reducing private vehicles on the island instead of encouraging the same.

Say no to more roads.

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?
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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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