Factory workers say ‘yes’ to PTMP

GEORGE TOWN: While several NGOs have been critical of the RM46bil Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), a group of factory employees says “aye” to the project.

Led by their spokesman Mohd Nasarudin Sultan, they handed over a petition containing 1,011 signatures in support of the project to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow outside the state assembly building in Light Street here.

The group said they were from the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone.

Mohd Nasarudin said a majority of those who work in the free industrial zone could spend up to four hours a day on the road due to traffic jams.

“Those against the project are mostly retirees who have not experienced being caught in traffic congestions for long periods of time.

“The petition is signed by those affected by the traffic jams every day,” he said.

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Penang branch vice-chairman Datuk Jimmy Ong also arrived later and handed 100 more petitions to Chow.

He said the petition drive started two days ago, adding they planned to continue till the beginning of September.

“We want the project to be expedited. Many of us feel this way,” said Chow.