GEORGE TOWN: The state government has not made any decision on the feasibility report of the controversial undersea tunnel being publicly displayed.
Penang Infrastructure and Transport Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said in his written reply to a question by Jason Ong Khan Lee (PH - Kebun Bunga) said the state had yet to decide if the report would be made available to the public.
"The final draft is being studied by government agencies and the project contractor, Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC)," he said in his written response, adding that the feasibility report for the undersea tunnel would be integrated with the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) expansion master plan by the Penang Port Commission (PPC) between January 2021 and March 2022.
"The feasibility report was presented to the state exco on April 6 and the state government has received the results of the report that indicates the undersea tunnel can be implemented.
"However, the next phase of design and construction of the project is subjected to resolving issues related to the operations of the undersea tunnel along with the NBCT expansion master plan which will be finalised by PPC," he said.
Ong had asked in a written question if the feasibility study of the undersea tunnel would be made available for the public to view.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told the state legislative assembly that the Penang International Airport (PIA) expansion project and the proposed Kulim International Airport (KXP) had not been approved by the Transport Ministry as yet.
"We are in contact with the ministry regarding the PIA expansion project but the ministry has repeatedly said that all airport projects are still on hold, pending the completion of the National Airports Strategic Plan (NASP) study.
"Whether it is the Penang International Airport expansion project or the construction of a new airport in Kulim for there are no approvals for either project," he said in reply to an additional question from Opposition leader Datuk Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Nor (PN-Sungai Dua).
Chow said this could be looked at positively as if the industries in the northern region see growth and there was a need for the airport expansion, this was where the NASP study could provide the data for the ministry to make an informed decision.
Meanwhile, Penang local government committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the state government and the Pulau Burung landfill operator had mutually agreed to terminate the contract.
"We had a discussion with them to try and have an amicable termination, it is called a mutual termination, which means both parties try to resolve it.
"We have sent them our letter and they have responded, we are now trying to look at the terms of the termination.
"Both parties have mutually agreed on the termination of the contract.
"In law, in an agreement and if there is a breach, we can terminate.
"The process has begun and it is not going to be a legal issue or need to be taken to court," he said at the state legislative assembly building in Light Street, here.
Jagdeep added that it was important that the current operator remained until the state found a new operator to take over, whether it was the Seberang Prai City Council or a new operator appointed through a request for proposal.
He said the terms of the mutual termination were being worked out as to who would have to pay for certain things.
"We have suffered losses and have handed over our claims for the loss. We are waiting on their response.
"For now they have agreed to operate until everything is finalised on their side and we take over.
"We do hope to finalise it in the next two to three months," he said.
The operator was awarded the concession contract to manage Pulau Burung landfill in 2012.
He was responding to questions from Lee Khai Loon (PH-Machang Bubuk) on the current status of the Pulau Burung operators contract.
On May 23, the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) took four hours to extinguish a fire at a landfill in Pulau Burung.
This was the second fire at the landfill. On Jan 12, a fire broke out involving 11.3ha out of a total of 16.2ha, and it took nearly a month before the fire was doused.
The fire in January resulted in the area being declared as a Level 1 disaster area based on the National Security Council (MKN) after the fire there polluted the surrounding area and posed a risk to health.
Earlier, the state assembly sitting began on Monday (May 30) observed a minute's silence in honour of former Sungai Acheh assemblyman Ragayah Ariff.
Ragayah from Barisan Nasional represented the Umno seat and served the community between 1986 to 1990.
Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang also reminded members of the state assembly to strictly follow standard operating procedure during the period of the meeting and always keep their masks on as well as to do a self test kit every day before heading over.
Law also said during the session, a total of 71 oral and 655 written questions would be presented.
"The meeting will convene until all business is completed," he said.
