Penang State Structure Plan 2040: Procedural fairness lacking in ‘public consultations’ must be rectified

ON Dec 20, in briefing the Bukit Tambun State Constituency on the Penang State Structure Plan 2040 (RSN2040, Rancangan Struktur Negeri Pulau Pinang 2040), Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow stated that "Active community participation is crucial, as RSN2040 is not merely a technical planning document but a shared roadmap that will shape how Penangites live, work, travel and develop over the next 15 years", and invited local residents and stakeholders to share their views and feedback to ensure that the plan is formulated "in a comprehensive, balanced and people-centric manner” (penangpropertytalk.com).

Yes, public participation is very important in development planning as it affects the public at large. This was also stressed by the Federal Court in the Sunway City (Penang) Sdn Bhd Sungai Ara Hill case (Civil Appeal No.01(f)-24-12/2021 (P); a case that established that overarching state plans guide development decisions over potentially conflicting local directives).