GEORGE TOWN: New Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow vowed today to start work on as many of the projects promised to Penangites in his first 100 days of taking office.
He said the priorities are flood mitigation projects, affordable housing and implementation of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
Under the PTMP, highways, a light-rail transit (LRT) line and a monorail line will be built by the state government with the help of project delivery partner SRS Consortium.
Chow said he hoped to begin with the LRT component as soon as possible, after obtaining necessary approvals from Putrajaya.
“We will focus on priority projects in the next 100 days, as promised in our election manifesto.
“I will also ensure pre-approved projects by the local councils will be implemented and also improve the delivery system of the Penang government’s programmes to the people,” Chow said at a press conference in Komtar.
Asked if the plan to reclaim land and create three islands to fund the RM27 billion PTMP would be dropped since Pakatan Harapan (PH) had taken over Putrajaya, Chow said the islands’ project may likely be retained.
He said the islands would create 4,000ha of land and spur Penang’s economy, especially in the booming Bayan Lepas industrial zone.
Chow said as for the undersea tunnel and three main roads project, he would call the contractors (Zenith Construction) to brief him on the current status.
He said of the three main roads, two were ready to go since environmental regulators had given the greenlight a long time ago.
The two roads are the paired roads stretching from Air Itam to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (5.7km), and from Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang (10.53km).
The third road is from the Jalan Pangkor-Gurney Drive junction to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (4.1km).
“We will build the two roads first, and the tunnel and the other road later.
“Zenith will have their confidence restored since there is a change of government in Putrajaya.
“We want them to present us with the feasibility studies report first.”