GEORGE TOWN: The proposed third link remains in the Penang Structure Plan 2040 (RSN2040), although its inclusion does not mean construction will proceed immediately, says Chow Kon Yeow.
The Chief Minister said the proposals for either a bridge or undersea tunnel remained in the state structure plan as the existing agreement with the company was still valid.
“They are still indicative because the agreement is still valid and an offer has already been made to the company. Whether they will be implemented will depend on the schedule,” he said after launching the publicity and public participation programme for the Draft Penang Structure Plan 2040 (Review) here on Monday (Aug 17).
He said various proposed developments and development zones were also included indicatively in the RSN2040, with their eventual implementation depending on the Government or private sector landowners.
“The RSN is a comprehensive, high-level planning document for the future of the state. If you want to look at specific planning, you have to refer to the local plans, which contain more detailed planning based on individual lots,” he said.
On Pulau Jerejak, Chow said about 80 acres of privately owned land were excluded from the island's Permanent Forest Reserve status, while the rest remained gazetted as Permanent Forest Reserve.
He said utility or infrastructure projects could still be considered within a forest reserve, subject to the relevant requirements, but this did not mean development of the forest reserve itself.
“The projects that have been announced involve privately owned land and not the Permanent Forest Reserve on Pulau Jerejak,” he said.
Chow said public participation was crucial as Penang continued to experience rapid development, adding that all stakeholders should provide their views, input, objections and proposals on the state's future direction.
He urged local communities, non-governmental organisations, professional bodies and government agencies to avoid working in silos and contribute to the planning process.
“It is impossible for PlanMalaysia to know everything, particularly about projects or proposals being planned by other agencies for the future,” he said.
Chow said the RSN2040 was important in guiding development over the next 15 years, particularly in ensuring a balance between Penang Island and Seberang Prai.
He said planning should also take into account the different characteristics of localities, including urban centres and peripheral areas.
“At the same time, the balance between development and environmental sustainability is important. This is an issue that we have always given attention to, particularly in Penang, where stakeholders are very active and are not shy about expressing their views,” he said.
Chow said the current development landscape was partly the result of planning decisions made under previous structure plans covering earlier periods.
“With the state now moving towards 2040, I expect the pace of development in Penang to remain strong. Therefore, planning is important to ensure that development is properly managed,” he said.
On disaster resilience, Chow said technical aspects, including geotechnical considerations and measures related to earthquake risks, would be taken into account in the planning process.
He added that the draft RSN2040 would be made available online to enable members of the public to access the document and submit their comments.
Present during the launch were Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia) Director General Datuk Dr Alias Rameli and local government committee chairman Jason H'ng Mooi Lye.
