, 2018-Jul-30
The projected ridership numbers for the Penang LRT are highly unrealistic and will likely be missed by a significant margin.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2018/07/30/is-the-srs-transport-master-plan-headed-for-financial-trouble/ (archive)
The projected ridership numbers for the Penang LRT are highly unrealistic and will likely be missed by a significant margin.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2018/07/30/is-the-srs-transport-master-plan-headed-for-financial-trouble/ (archive)
, 2018-Aug-10
I welcome the series of opinions in FMT by Lim Mah Hui and Ahmad Hilmy, which are not only thought provoking but educational. Halcrow is a major global transport consulting firm with worldwide experience. ... Do we know what the LRT pricing is yet? Would it serve the general working class public? The state has made many statements about transport, even taking over the loss-making ferry service. But is it planning to do it now? After all, Prasarana is under the finance ministry. ... I ask that we be very careful about starting with the PTMP. Concepts like the Bus Rapid Transit system have been used in modern cities where commuters have actually benefited so much more in terms of cost and end-to-end timing compared to big boys’ toys like MRTs and LRTs.
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2018/08/10/why-we-need-an-updated-independent-review-of-the-ptmp/
I welcome the series of opinions in FMT by Lim Mah Hui and Ahmad Hilmy, which are not only thought provoking but educational. Halcrow is a major global transport consulting firm with worldwide experience. ... Do we know what the LRT pricing is yet? Would it serve the general working class public? The state has made many statements about transport, even taking over the loss-making ferry service. But is it planning to do it now? After all, Prasarana is under the finance ministry. ... I ask that we be very careful about starting with the PTMP. Concepts like the Bus Rapid Transit system have been used in modern cities where commuters have actually benefited so much more in terms of cost and end-to-end timing compared to big boys’ toys like MRTs and LRTs.
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2018/08/10/why-we-need-an-updated-independent-review-of-the-ptmp/
, 2018-Jul-24
On May 16, 2018, the vice-president of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT-M), Rosli Khan, called for a review of mega-projects such as the ECRL, the KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail and the Penang Undersea Tunnel, arguing that these do not reflect a high level of economic benefits. On the last project, Rosli said, “The Penang Tunnel will induce more car travel and will lead to massive traffic gridlocks in Penang Island, a very damaging environmental impact to such a liveable heritage city.”
https://www.malaymail.com/s/1655356/need-to-relook-at-the-penang-transport-master-plan-lim-mah-hui-and-ahmad-hi (archive) Link2 Link3
On May 16, 2018, the vice-president of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT-M), Rosli Khan, called for a review of mega-projects such as the ECRL, the KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail and the Penang Undersea Tunnel, arguing that these do not reflect a high level of economic benefits. On the last project, Rosli said, “The Penang Tunnel will induce more car travel and will lead to massive traffic gridlocks in Penang Island, a very damaging environmental impact to such a liveable heritage city.”
https://www.malaymail.com/s/1655356/need-to-relook-at-the-penang-transport-master-plan-lim-mah-hui-and-ahmad-hi (archive) Link2 Link3
, 2018-Jul-27
Not many people realise how distorted the current version of the PTMP undertaken by a Gamuda-led corporate consortium is from the original PTMP adopted by the Penang state government in March 2013.
https://www.malaymail.com/s/1655795/how-srs-penang-transport-master-plan-deviates-from-the-original-ahmad-hilmy (archive) Link2 Link3
Not many people realise how distorted the current version of the PTMP undertaken by a Gamuda-led corporate consortium is from the original PTMP adopted by the Penang state government in March 2013.
https://www.malaymail.com/s/1655795/how-srs-penang-transport-master-plan-deviates-from-the-original-ahmad-hilmy (archive) Link2 Link3
, 2018-Jul-30
Some state governments have awarded mega projects based on RFP and claimed that they are open tenders. We need to distinguish clearly between the two, as they are not the same or even equivalent. The two terms should not be used interchangeably. In open tenders, all parties bid based on the same specifications provided by a client. The award is given to the bidder with the lowest price, with everything else being equal. However, in an RFP, a client does not provide a standard detailed plan nor technical specifications for a project for parties to bid on. Often, the client only has an approximate idea of a project they desire. They then call for a tender in the form of an RFP, leaving bidders to submit different proposals for the client to select. No two proposals submitted under an RFP are similar. Hence, there is no standard yardstick to evaluate the different proposals.
https://www.malaymail.com/s/1657137/request-for-proposal-rfp-is-not-open-tender-ahmad-hilmy-and-lim-mah-hui (archive) Link2 Link3
Some state governments have awarded mega projects based on RFP and claimed that they are open tenders. We need to distinguish clearly between the two, as they are not the same or even equivalent. The two terms should not be used interchangeably. In open tenders, all parties bid based on the same specifications provided by a client. The award is given to the bidder with the lowest price, with everything else being equal. However, in an RFP, a client does not provide a standard detailed plan nor technical specifications for a project for parties to bid on. Often, the client only has an approximate idea of a project they desire. They then call for a tender in the form of an RFP, leaving bidders to submit different proposals for the client to select. No two proposals submitted under an RFP are similar. Hence, there is no standard yardstick to evaluate the different proposals.
https://www.malaymail.com/s/1657137/request-for-proposal-rfp-is-not-open-tender-ahmad-hilmy-and-lim-mah-hui (archive) Link2 Link3
, 2018-Aug-01
Why does Penang need to rush to have the 7.2km undersea tunnel project when the original Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) officially adopted by the state government clearly states that it is not an urgent priority? Why this haste when the survey of Penang’s traffic volume by UK-based engineering consultant Halcrow showed that cross-channel traffic in 2011 accounted for only 7 percent of total state traffic during peak hours? The first draft by Halcrow that was presented sometime at the end of 2012 to the Penang Transport Council (of which one of this article’s authors, Lim Mah Hui, was a member) showed the undersea tunnel may only be needed towards 2030. However for some reason, in the final draft in 2013, Halcrow brought the date forward to 2025.
https://www.malaymail.com/s/1658080/why-bulldoze-through-the-penang-tunnel-project-ahmad-hilmy-and-lim-mah-hui (archive) Link2 Link3
Why does Penang need to rush to have the 7.2km undersea tunnel project when the original Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) officially adopted by the state government clearly states that it is not an urgent priority? Why this haste when the survey of Penang’s traffic volume by UK-based engineering consultant Halcrow showed that cross-channel traffic in 2011 accounted for only 7 percent of total state traffic during peak hours? The first draft by Halcrow that was presented sometime at the end of 2012 to the Penang Transport Council (of which one of this article’s authors, Lim Mah Hui, was a member) showed the undersea tunnel may only be needed towards 2030. However for some reason, in the final draft in 2013, Halcrow brought the date forward to 2025.
https://www.malaymail.com/s/1658080/why-bulldoze-through-the-penang-tunnel-project-ahmad-hilmy-and-lim-mah-hui (archive) Link2 Link3
, 2018-Aug-03
What has not been aptly explained is why the state has chosen the LRT which is not only much more expensive to build but also costlier to operate and maintain, compared to alternatives such as a tram or BRT (bus rapid transit) system. Curiously enough, the state is insistent on pursuing the LRT project even though the tram and BRT were recommended in the original PTMP designed after a meticulous study by UK-based engineering consultant Halcrow.
https://www.malaymail.com/s/1658809/why-bulldoze-through-the-penang-tunnel-project-ahmad-hilmy-and-lim-mah (archive) Link2 Link3
What has not been aptly explained is why the state has chosen the LRT which is not only much more expensive to build but also costlier to operate and maintain, compared to alternatives such as a tram or BRT (bus rapid transit) system. Curiously enough, the state is insistent on pursuing the LRT project even though the tram and BRT were recommended in the original PTMP designed after a meticulous study by UK-based engineering consultant Halcrow.
https://www.malaymail.com/s/1658809/why-bulldoze-through-the-penang-tunnel-project-ahmad-hilmy-and-lim-mah (archive) Link2 Link3
, 2018-Aug-06
Penang Forum is not opposed to a transport master plan. On the contrary, some members of Penang Forum had initiated and recommended to the newly-formed Pakatan Rakyat government in 2008 of the need for a comprehensive transport master plan for Penang; following which a Penang Transport Council was established by the state government. Several Penang Forum members were appointed to sit on the council.. Below is a summary of the major reasons Penang Forum has called for an independent review of the PTMP.
https://www.malaymail.com/s/1659553/why-penang-should-commission-an-independent-review-lim-mah-hui-and-ahmad-hi (archive) Link2 Link3
Penang Forum is not opposed to a transport master plan. On the contrary, some members of Penang Forum had initiated and recommended to the newly-formed Pakatan Rakyat government in 2008 of the need for a comprehensive transport master plan for Penang; following which a Penang Transport Council was established by the state government. Several Penang Forum members were appointed to sit on the council.. Below is a summary of the major reasons Penang Forum has called for an independent review of the PTMP.
https://www.malaymail.com/s/1659553/why-penang-should-commission-an-independent-review-lim-mah-hui-and-ahmad-hi (archive) Link2 Link3
, 2018-Aug-01
Kenapa Pulau Pinang perlu tergesa-gesa menjalankan projek terowong bawah laut 7.2km apabila Pelan Induk Pengangkutan Pulau Pinang (PTMP) yang diterima pakai kerajaan negeri secara rasmi dengan jelas menyatakan ia bukan keutamaan yang mendesak? Mengapa ada kekalutan ini, apabila tinjauan jumlah lalu lintas Pulau Pinang oleh Halcrow, perunding kejuruteraan dari United Kingdom menunjukkan lalu lintas rentas selat pada 2011 menyumbang hanya 7% daripada jumlah lalu lintas negeri pada waktu puncak?
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2018/08/01/mengapa-gelojoh-laksana-projek-terowong-pulau-pinang/ (archive)
Kenapa Pulau Pinang perlu tergesa-gesa menjalankan projek terowong bawah laut 7.2km apabila Pelan Induk Pengangkutan Pulau Pinang (PTMP) yang diterima pakai kerajaan negeri secara rasmi dengan jelas menyatakan ia bukan keutamaan yang mendesak? Mengapa ada kekalutan ini, apabila tinjauan jumlah lalu lintas Pulau Pinang oleh Halcrow, perunding kejuruteraan dari United Kingdom menunjukkan lalu lintas rentas selat pada 2011 menyumbang hanya 7% daripada jumlah lalu lintas negeri pada waktu puncak?
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2018/08/01/mengapa-gelojoh-laksana-projek-terowong-pulau-pinang/ (archive)
, 2018-Aug-08
A PKR assemblyman today raised an objection to the state’s plans to build more roads and a proposed undersea tunnel and said the focus should instead be on improving public transport services.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/08/08/hold-referendum-on-undersea-tunnel-says-penang-pkr-rep/ (archive)
A PKR assemblyman today raised an objection to the state’s plans to build more roads and a proposed undersea tunnel and said the focus should instead be on improving public transport services.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/08/08/hold-referendum-on-undersea-tunnel-says-penang-pkr-rep/ (archive)
, 2018-Jul-21
The proposed 19.5km Pan-Island Link I (PIL I) from Gurney Drive to the airport will stimulate interest in property investments once more in Penang and boost the value of properties in strategic locations. Zeon Properties chief executive officer Leon Lee said the proposed highway, a component of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), runs along Gurney Drive, Gottlieb Road, Penang City Park, Bukit Bendera, Paya Terubong, Sungai Ara, Bukit Gedung and Sungai Kluang.
https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2018/07/21/adding-value-to-property-prices-highway-project-from-gurney-drive-to-airport-a-boost-to-property-mar/ (archive)
The proposed 19.5km Pan-Island Link I (PIL I) from Gurney Drive to the airport will stimulate interest in property investments once more in Penang and boost the value of properties in strategic locations. Zeon Properties chief executive officer Leon Lee said the proposed highway, a component of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), runs along Gurney Drive, Gottlieb Road, Penang City Park, Bukit Bendera, Paya Terubong, Sungai Ara, Bukit Gedung and Sungai Kluang.
https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2018/07/21/adding-value-to-property-prices-highway-project-from-gurney-drive-to-airport-a-boost-to-property-mar/ (archive)
, 2018-Aug-11
“We are confused. In 2002, when Chow was in the Opposition, he stood with us against PORR. Now that he is Chief Minister, we are seeing PORR reborn as PIL 1 (Pan Island Link 1),” said Tanjung Bungah Residents’ Association chairman and Sahabat Alam Malaysia secretary Meenakshi Raman.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/08/11/residents-why-the-uturn-on-highway-cm/ (archive)
“We are confused. In 2002, when Chow was in the Opposition, he stood with us against PORR. Now that he is Chief Minister, we are seeing PORR reborn as PIL 1 (Pan Island Link 1),” said Tanjung Bungah Residents’ Association chairman and Sahabat Alam Malaysia secretary Meenakshi Raman.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/08/11/residents-why-the-uturn-on-highway-cm/ (archive)
, 2018-Aug-10
Tanjung Bungah Residents Association (TBRA) chair Meenakshi Raman, who likened the PIL 1 as an extension of the PORR, said she and many other present today had opposed the PORR when it was first announced. “We have always been consistent with our stand. How could something not good back then, be good today?
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2018/08/399985/penangites-slam-chow-backpedalling-traffic-management-stance (archive)
Tanjung Bungah Residents Association (TBRA) chair Meenakshi Raman, who likened the PIL 1 as an extension of the PORR, said she and many other present today had opposed the PORR when it was first announced. “We have always been consistent with our stand. How could something not good back then, be good today?
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2018/08/399985/penangites-slam-chow-backpedalling-traffic-management-stance (archive)
, 2002-Jun-15
https://dapmalaysia.org/all-archive/English/2002/jun02/bul/bul1655.htm
http://archiving-news.blogspot.com/2018/08/mp-for-tanjung-submits-another.html
https://dapmalaysia.org/all-archive/English/2002/jun02/bul/bul1655.htm
http://archiving-news.blogspot.com/2018/08/mp-for-tanjung-submits-another.html
, 2002-May-29
at the launching of PORR People’s Awareness Exhibition organised by DAP in Penang
https://www.dapmalaysia.org/all-archive/English/2002/may02/bul/bul1620.htm (archive)
at the launching of PORR People’s Awareness Exhibition organised by DAP in Penang
https://www.dapmalaysia.org/all-archive/English/2002/may02/bul/bul1620.htm (archive)
, 2018-Aug-15
I am Zulfikar Ali, a resident in Tanjong Bungah. Like millions of Malaysians, I voted for Pakatan Harapan and to support a government that promises change and hope. But I am saddened to see that even in the early days of the Harapan government, some leaders have begun to adopt the attitude of BN, ignoring the voices of rakyat, and vilifying legitimate concerns raised by rakyat. On Aug 10, the Penang chief minister said he opposed PORR because it was proposed as a tolled road and that the NGOs were misleading the public So, I decided to Google to see what are the facts. In this age of the Internet, it is easy to check for facts.
https://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/439034 (archive) Link2
I am Zulfikar Ali, a resident in Tanjong Bungah. Like millions of Malaysians, I voted for Pakatan Harapan and to support a government that promises change and hope. But I am saddened to see that even in the early days of the Harapan government, some leaders have begun to adopt the attitude of BN, ignoring the voices of rakyat, and vilifying legitimate concerns raised by rakyat. On Aug 10, the Penang chief minister said he opposed PORR because it was proposed as a tolled road and that the NGOs were misleading the public So, I decided to Google to see what are the facts. In this age of the Internet, it is easy to check for facts.
https://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/439034 (archive) Link2
, 2018-Aug-06
She also rapped the state government for only displaying the blueprint of the project during the Chinese New Year holidays, when many were not free to view it. Ideally, she said, it should be placed online for all to access. She said the Council of Eminent Persons had been notified about the issue, and that the leaders supported a review of the PTMP.
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/08/06/ngos-want-drill-and-blast-highway-in-penang-scrapped (archive)
She also rapped the state government for only displaying the blueprint of the project during the Chinese New Year holidays, when many were not free to view it. Ideally, she said, it should be placed online for all to access. She said the Council of Eminent Persons had been notified about the issue, and that the leaders supported a review of the PTMP.
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/08/06/ngos-want-drill-and-blast-highway-in-penang-scrapped (archive)
, 2018-Aug-22
It is learnt that DOE had set 59 conditions to be met in the DEIA before, during and after construction, but did not specify what were the said conditions. CHANT advisor Yan Lee in a press conference here today requested that DEIA’s conditions be made public for all interested parties to scrutinise. He said only the DOE director-general, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (pictured) and CZC had knowledge regarding DEIA’s 59 conditions. He added that Tanjung Bungah Residents’ Association (TBRA) had been following up and had asked DOE and Chow on the conditions but to no avail.
https://www.edgeprop.my/content/1416724/chant-urges-penang-govt-zenith-make-deia-report-public (archive)
It is learnt that DOE had set 59 conditions to be met in the DEIA before, during and after construction, but did not specify what were the said conditions. CHANT advisor Yan Lee in a press conference here today requested that DEIA’s conditions be made public for all interested parties to scrutinise. He said only the DOE director-general, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (pictured) and CZC had knowledge regarding DEIA’s 59 conditions. He added that Tanjung Bungah Residents’ Association (TBRA) had been following up and had asked DOE and Chow on the conditions but to no avail.
https://www.edgeprop.my/content/1416724/chant-urges-penang-govt-zenith-make-deia-report-public (archive)
, 2018-Aug-21
CHANT legal adviser Yan Lee said at a news conference today that repeated requests by a residents’ association in the affected area to find out the 59 conditions drew no response. He said the conditions placed by the DoE should be revealed in the spirit of freedom of information so that residents along the road alignment are fully informed over what is going to happen in their backyards. Lee said there are three people who could do so—the chief minister, DoE director-general and Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC), the contractor. He said the best way to allay the people’s concern over the project is to hold an open forum or a townhall meeting for the contractor to explain what is going to happen.
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/08/21/reveal-doe-terms-for-penang-roads-project-contractor-urges-ngo (archive)
CHANT legal adviser Yan Lee said at a news conference today that repeated requests by a residents’ association in the affected area to find out the 59 conditions drew no response. He said the conditions placed by the DoE should be revealed in the spirit of freedom of information so that residents along the road alignment are fully informed over what is going to happen in their backyards. Lee said there are three people who could do so—the chief minister, DoE director-general and Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC), the contractor. He said the best way to allay the people’s concern over the project is to hold an open forum or a townhall meeting for the contractor to explain what is going to happen.
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/08/21/reveal-doe-terms-for-penang-roads-project-contractor-urges-ngo (archive)
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