GEORGE TOWN, Dec 29 – The Penang State Government today criticise Deputy Health Minister and MP for Balik Pulau Datuk Seri Hilmi Yahaya for his attack on the Penang Transport Masterplan as just a gimmick played up by the State Government to raise public outrage among the people.

“So, when the Federal Government rejects this proposal, the State Government will say, we had our development plans but the Federal Government opposed them and this will later be a political issue and lead to public outcry in the state,” said Hilmi Yahaya on Saturday.

“The comment by Hilmi Yahaya is laughable as the Government has never treated the Penang Transport Masterplan as a gimmick but regarded it as its commitment to the people of Penang to improve public transport and road networks to bring about sustainable development,” said Penang State Executive Councillor Chow Kon Yeow in the statement here today.

In the meantime, Chow said that it was the Barisan National who treated the LRT as their election gimmick on the contrary not once but thrice and even though they were also returned back to the Federal power, they did not make good their electoral promises.

He said if Hilmi Yahaya is so afraid that the State Government will use the Penang Transport Masterplan as a gimmick, the best thing he could do is to get Federal Government to approve it so that the Penang State Government cannot use its rejection to raise public outrage among the people.

“Besides that, the State Government also note the comment by LKIM chairman Datuk Irmohizam Ibrahim that the land reclamation projects are non-beneficial to fishermen. We want to assure LKIM and all affected fishermen that all efforts will be taken by the SRS Consortium to alleviate the impact of the land reclamation,” said Chow.

“The State Government will work together with LKIM to ensure better facilities be provided and the fishing ground are not affected. Penang has seen many areas being reclaimed and LKIM has cooperated with the State Government in relocation of fisherman affected by the reclamation. We hope LKIM will do likewise if the reclamation is approved to be carried out in the south of Penang Island,” he said.

Pocket News

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