Vocal critics get seats in Penang Transport Council

GEORGE TOWN: Opposition leaders and NGOs who are vocal critics of the state government have been made members of the Penang Transport Council.

State opposition leader and Teluk Air Tawar assemblyman Datuk Jahara Hamid, Teluk Bahang assemblyman Datuk Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain and Bayan Lepas assemblyman Nordin Ahmad have been appointed to the council.

Penang Island City Council member Dr Lim Mah Hui, Penang Consumers Association president S.M. Mohamed Idris and blogger Anil Netto, who all have been vocal critics of the Penang Transport Master Plan, have also been included in the 46-member council.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (pic), who announced this at a press conference at Komtar here Friday, said the appointment of opposition leaders and NGOs showed that the state government has nothing to hide.

"The move is in line with the request of opposition leaders in the state assembly last week that some of their assemblyman and NGOs be appointed in the council," said Lim.

The assembly unanimously agreed last week to postpone reclamation work on the southern tip of the island until a detailed environment impact assessment is submitted.