GEORGE TOWN: The Tanjung Bungah Residents Association wants a town hall session with the state government over the North Coastal Paired Road project.
Its chairman, Zulfikar Abdul Aziz, said the session would let nearby residents give input on the project, which is expected to start soon.
“We submitted two official letters to the Chief Minister on July 25 and Sept 4 but have not received any response,” he said.
He spoke during a peaceful gathering outside the state assembly building.
Zulfikar said the lack of feedback has worried residents seeking clarification on the new alignment through the hilly areas of Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang.
He said the Chief Minister should respond to the association’s request for a dialogue as the project would affect the community.
Zulfikar said it is appropriate for the Chief Minister or a government representative to meet residents for a consultation session.
He said this would address community concerns and help both sides explore solutions, allowing the project to proceed while ensuring residents live in peace and comfort.
Zulfikar added that residents fear safety risks if the highway is built along steep slopes, which could threaten property and lives during the rainy season and trigger landslides.
“We are not against development. We want good development, not development that endangers residents,” he added.
He said people here have lived in the area for a long time and understand the hill conditions.
About 20 people gathered peacefully outside the state assembly to hand over a letter to meet Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Zulfikar said the state must obtain information directly from residents as they are most affected by changes in the new alignment.
He added that residents want full disclosure of technical details, as they have only been informed through media reports, and stated that the last engagement session on the project was in 2017.
Zulfikar stated that the current alignment and planning have undergone significant changes, prompting a request for a new session.
The RM2.9bil project, awarded in 2013 as Package 1 of the Three Major Roads and Tunnel Project, includes 8.41km of road and a 2.2km sea viaduct.
It will connect Tanjong Bungah to Teluk Bahang.
Construction is expected to begin next year and be completed by 2031.
Travel time between Tanjong Bungah and Teluk Bahang will drop from 30 to 45 minutes at peak to about seven minutes.
The alignment will start at Jalan Tanjong Bungah, pass the Floating Mosque, traverse the sea, rejoin land near Shamrock, pass Batu Ferringhi and end at Teluk Bahang.
