GEORGE TOWN: The state Opposition has urged the Penang government to ensure that mega projects such as the Penang Transport Master Plan and Mutiara Light Rail Transit truly serve the public, warning that they must not become "white elephants".
State Opposition Leader Muhammad Fauzi Yusuff (Perikatan - Sungai Dua) said people were uneasy that the state might push ahead with large projects while basics like buses, feeder routes and traffic management lagged behind.
"We do not want the LRT to turn into another white elephant project. As the proverb goes, you chase one thing and lose another," he said when debating the Supply Bill on Monday (Nov 17).
Fauzi acknowledged the Mutiara LRT was approved and moving ahead but noted its 20-station alignment covers only four parliamentary constituencies on the island, with Penang Sentral as the sole stop on the mainland.
"Other constituencies such as Balik Pulau, Bukit Bendera, Kepala Batas, Tasek Gelugor, Central Seberang Perai and South Seberang Perai districts are not included in this phase, even though the whole state will bear the cost," he said, questioning whether the project meets statewide needs.
He said Penang has 2.67 million registered vehicles as of Oct, nearly two for every resident.
Public transport use, he added, remains far below the Penang Transport Master Plan’s target of a 40% modal share by 2030.
He suggested a dedicated Rapid On-Demand route to government offices and hospitals to help senior citizens, patients, civil servants and traders avoid long detours and parking trouble.
Fauzi welcomed the state’s move to provide such services, saying it gave the public more flexibility.
