Jobs don't drop from the sky #7

Our youth unemployment rate has been rising every year in the past 5 years, from 11% in 2016 to 11.72% last year.

Are jobs being produced as fast as our youths grow up?

Without jobs, what's our youths' future? Without jobs, how to start a family? Without jobs, how to care for aging parents?

These are the questions that Hafiz discussed with me.

Hafiz is a graduate with a degree in finance. Most of his cohorts have left Penang to work in KL.

"Kawan-kawan struggle cari kerja di Penang, dan memang banyak yang pi KL," he said.

Although Hafiz wanted to join them, he as the eldest among his siblings had stay back to care for the family.

Unable to get a suitable permanent job, Hafiz ended up as a contract worker for several years.

When the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) had job openings, Hafiz applied and got his first stable permanent job.

After working for 10 months, Hafiz has saved enough to get married. He and his wife are expecting their first child now.

Just before Raya this year, Hafiz bought a car in preparation for the arrival of the baby.

Hafiz can now provide for his parents, relieve the burden of his father who is a lorry driver, and help to finance his sister's nursing course.

Groups like Penang Forum and Sahabat Alam Malaysia are lobbying to cancel PSR, and by doing so threatening the livelihood of young people like Hafiz's.

"Kalau PSR cancel, saya akan susah dapat pekerjaan. Tambah lagi situasi pandemik sekarang, akan hadapi masalah," said Hafiz.

These anti-PSR NGOs are selfish and cruel.

They don't have practical solution to solve youth unemployment problem, yet they are lobbying to kill off projects that provide jobs to our youths.

Note: This 'Jobs don't drop from the sky' series uncovers real life stories of how actual Penangites from all walks of life are benefiting from the Penang South Reclamation project.

#1 : Abang Sam (former fisherman)

#2 : Pakcik Ismail & Mat (former fishermen)

#3 : Nina (young graduate with a degree in agricultural science)

#4 : Razali (fisherman)

#5 : Idris & Adam (fishermen)

#6 : Jan (young graduate with a degree in quantity surveying)

Jobs don't drop from the sky #6

Armchair academicians, Penang Forum, Consumers’ Association of Penang, Sahabat Alam Malaysia, and big-name politicians are calling for the cancellation of the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project.

What they are really doing is destroying jobs in Penang. They are eliminating the possibility for young Penangites to have a future here.

Academicians, activists, and politicians are supposed to help people, but these anti-PSR groups prefer to starve families. Sad.

That was what came to mind when I spoke to Jan.

When Jan graduated from USM, her seniors told her that the job market in Penang was not good. Some of her coursemates had to do food delivery.

So, Jan – the only child – had to leave her widowed mother in Penang to go to KL to look for work. Her mother wasn’t working, Jan had to support her.

Indeed, Jan found a job in KL. Although she was employed there, she was often worried about her mother who was alone in Penang.

That’s why Jan is grateful for her current work in PSR.

“Really appreciate the PSR project – I can come back to Penang, I can take care of my mom,” Jan said.

However, just as Jan is settling back in Penang to take care of her widowed mother, the anti-PSR groups are calling for the PSR to be scrapped.

Not only the anti-PSR groups are a threat to Penang’s economy and future, after listening to Jan, I’m more convinced that they are job-destroyers too.

Note: This 'Jobs don't drop from the sky' series uncovers real life stories of how actual Penangites from all walks of life are benefiting from the Penang South Reclamation project.

#1 : Abang Sam (former fisherman)

#2 : Pakcik Ismail & Mat (former fishermen)

#3 : Nina (young graduate with a degree in agricultural science)

#4 : Razali (fisherman)

#5 : Idris & Adam (fishermen)

Jobs don't drop from the sky #5

I will continue to write about real Penangites whose life has been changed for the better because of Penang South Reclamation (PSR).

These Penangites are not big-name politicians, their story seldom gets highlighted.

Nonetheless, they are Penangites who can now earn a decent living for their family due to the project. Therefore, I think their story deserved to be told.

Pak Idris and his grandson, Adam are such Penangites.

Idris, 66 years old, has worked as a fisherman for over five decades. Adam, now 23, had been helping his grandpa since his teens.

Adam shared about an incident when he was 18 years old working in the sea with his grandpa.

That day they met with a thunderstorm. Huge waves were hitting their boat. Idris used all his strength to steer the boat to safety, against the strong currents until the vessel almost broke into two.

“Tok perlu lawan sampai bot terangkat tinggi, hampir patah dua." Adam said.

“Masa tu, kalau hanyut di laut, pun hanyut lah,” Idris added.

Fortunately, they escaped.

Adam has stopped becoming a fisherman after he was hired to work in the PSR project last year, when Covid-19 started.

Adam is now gainfully employed, he no longer needs to go to the sea. He can now have a stable income, EPF, and ability to get loan from bank.

“Selepas kerja untuk PSR, boleh simpan duit. Dulu hutang bank pun tak boleh. Sekarang boleh beli motor, boleh sewa rumah sendiri,” Adam said.

Adam has just recently engaged with his fiancée.

When asked for his view about Adam’s employment in PSR, Pak Idris said, “Bangga, kita pun seronok kalau cucu semua besar kerja di PSR.”

Fishermen have to risk their life just to earn enough to go through the day, while big-name politicians and Penang Forum spokepersons are churning out anti-PSR statement in the comfort of their air-con office, seated on armchair.

Politicians and Penang Forum can talk theory about Penang doesn’t need PSR during Covid-19. But it is precisely during these trying times like now that PSR is providing jobs to people like Adam who need them the most.

Jobs don’t drop from the sky. If PSR is cancelled, Adam would have to go back to the sea while politicians and Penang Forum continue to live their life as usual.

Note: This 'Jobs don't drop from the sky' series uncovers real life stories of how actual Penangites from all walks of life are benefiting from the Penang South Reclamation project.

#1 : Abang Sam (former fisherman)

#2 : Pakcik Ismail & Mat (former fishermen)

#3 : Nina (young graduate with a degree in agricultural science)

#4 : Razali (fisherman)

Jobs don't drop from the sky #4

I introduced myself to Razali, who was taking a break at the beach after coming back from the sea.

Razali, 51, is a fisherman at Penang south. He began working at the sea when he was 12.

Razali told me that he had previously applied to work in the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project but didn't get it.

I asked him, why a fisherman like him, who has worked for 39 years in the sea, wanted to quit and work for PSR?

Razali solemnly replied that there's no future as a coastal fisherman.

Although there's no reclamation in the southern sea right now (PSR hasn't started), Razali said that the catch in the area has been declining over the years.

"Hidup nelayan sekarang susah," he said.

Razali wanted to switch to jobs with better prospect, that's why he applied to work for PSR.

"Dapat kerja kat PSR bagus juga," said Razali.

However, PSR doesn't have any more opening right now. There'll only be more jobs once the reclamation work begin.

But Penang Forum together with PAS and Gerakan are lobbying hard to cancel PSR, wanting to eliminate the chances for local fishermen like Razali to have a better life.

I hope that the PSR will soon receive the necessary approval from federal agencies so that fishermen like Razali can benefit from the project.

Note: This 'Jobs don't drop from the sky' series uncovers real life stories of how actual Penangites from all walks of life are benefiting from the Penang South Reclamation project.

#1 : Abang Sam (former fisherman)

#2 : Pakcik Ismail & Mat (former fishermen)

#3 : Nina (young graduate with a degree in agricultural science)

Jobs don't drop from the sky #3

This is Nina from Teluk Kumbar, Penang. Young and intelligent, graduated with a degree in agricultural science.

The job market was bad when she came out from university. Instead of a permanent position near home, she had to do contract work at Putrajaya, far from home.

When her father was hospitalised, Nina had to leave her job to return to Penang, to be close to her family.

Fortunately at that time, the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project, launched by the Penang State Government, had job openings. Nina applied and was hired.

This is her first permanent position.

With better salary, Nina can now help to shoulder some of the financial burden of her family and have more savings.

"Sekarang save a lot," she said.

Nina told me that there are currently more than 800 job applications to work in PSR. Yes, 800!

Unlike those rich spokepersons of Penang Forum, many people are actually looking for jobs.

Previously, Nina objected against the PSR too. But after her own experience of working in the project and seeing the potential jobs that PSR can generate, she now thinks that the critics of PSR must learn to see the bigger picture.

"PSR can create a lot of jobs. More jobs after reclamation started, even more after it is completed. Penangites who want to stay near their family, not wanting to move out from Penang to make a living, can apply for jobs in PSR."

Nina continued, "Those affected by the pandemic, got terminated, they can also apply."

If the PSR is cancelled, all the potential new jobs will not exist.

And Nina will lose her permanent position.

Note: This 'Jobs don't drop from the sky' series uncovers real life stories of how actual Penangites from all walks of life are benefiting from the Penang South Reclamation project.

#1 : Abang Sam (former fisherman)

#2 : Pakcik Ismail & Mat (former fishermen)

Jobs don't drop from the sky #2

I met a pair of father and son who work in the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project.

The father, Pakcik Ismail, had served in the military for 15 years before becoming a fisherman.

The livelihood of a fisherman was tough – even for an ex-soldier. Income was unstable, catch was unpredictable.

“Kalau tak pi laut, siapa nak bagi duit? Nasib kerja laut,” he said.

Pakcik was a fisherman for almost 20 years, living off the mercy of the sea. Then he found his current job with PSR, and has never failed to receive his salary every month in the past 5 years.

His son, Mat, began following him to the sea in his teens.

Didn’t want to resign his life to the sea, Mat worked in various jobs and eventually became a driver. However, he lost that and became unemployed for six months.

That was a dark period for him, his wife, and their two children. Mat struggled to provide for them.

“Tak mampu bagi apa yang mereka mahu. Rasa pahit,” he said. Relatable to many breadwinners who recently lost their job due to the pandemic.

The turning point came when Mat found his present employment in the PSR project. He can now provide for this family and has an EPF account – something which he had never had.

Pakcik and Mat told me that they were glad to have found jobs other than fishing. I asked them, why?

Both of them went silent for a while before Pakcik began to speak again.

He told me that during one of their fishing trips many years ago, Mat fell into the sea and almost drown. Their boat was hit by strong waves and Mat tripped over.

Pakcik Ismail quickly threw a rope into the sea for Mat to pull himself back. He shouted helplessly directing Mat to grab the lifeline.

Being bombarded by strong waves, Mat was struggling to get hold of the rope.

“Telan air sampai tak larat telan.”

Luckily, Mat managed to grab the rope and pulled himself back into the boat. That was the single most terrifying experience the father and son had.

That’s why Mat wished for his children to further their studies so that they don’t have to be fishermen. His eldest son wanted to be a doctor.

“Takkan ikut life kita lagi,” he said.

Pakcik Ismail interjected, “Harap-harap projek PSR ini on lah. Ini untuk masa depan anak cucu kita.”

Penang South Islands create jobs in Penang

Job opportunities don't drop from the sky. They are created through development, driven by progressive policy, financed by the supply and demand forces in the market.

Recently, the Penang South Islands (PSI) project was reported to generate 15,000 new jobs from the construction work of the first island. [1]

Although the reclamation hasn't started, I was told that more than 100 Penangites are now hired for the preparation work for PSI. Wanted to find out more, I met up with Abang Sam.

Abang Sam was a full-time fisherman before his present employment for the PSI project.

He shared with me his hard life as a fisherman – with little to no savings, no employees provident fund (KWSP), unstable income. Life was without financial security.

"Pendapatan hanya lepas makan, hanya boleh hidup," he said.

But that's not the worst for him. His most horrific experience as a fisherman was fishing in the open sea during thunderstorm. "Semasa hujan ribut, macam gadai nyawa."

Abang Sam became a fisherman when he was 15 years old. He and his family lived in those conditions, unbearable to many of us, for more than 25 years.

So, when the PSI was launched, Abang Sam applied for a job and got it.

Now he has a stable income every month and doesn't need to re-live the nightmare of fishing in the storm.

The job also provides him with KWSP. He can now plan the finances for his family and his retirement. He even showed me the new motorcycle he just bought six months ago.

"Sekarang ada kemajuan, kewangan boleh bajet."

Abang Sam has four children. The eldest, 18, is currently pursuing a vocational diploma while his youngest is 3 years old.

I asked him, what's his hope for his children? "Anak-anak kena berjaya, sambung belajar, lebih maju untuk masa depan mereka," he said.

Then I asked him what will he do if the PSI project is cancelled?

He said that he wished the project will continue, if not he will have to return to be a fisherman – gadai nyawa dalam hujan ribut.

Penang Forum members and PAS politicians are lobbying to cancel the PSI project. Penang Forum's economist Lim Mah Hui has recently argued that the PSI is a "lose-lose for Penang". [2]

Who is Lim Mah Hui? He is the economist who wears tie and blazer to cycle under Penang's humid weather.

He is the economist who doesn't know about international procurement method of using request-for-proposal as open tender [3], even though it is practiced by global institutions like the United Nations, World Bank, and World Health Organization.

Does he know that the reclamation of the first island under the PSI project will bring in billions of domestic investment into Penang, generate jobs, and stimulate the local economy?

Does he know that Penangites like Abang Sam will become jobless if PSI is cancelled?

Does he know that many other fishermen like Abang Sam can have gainful employment from the PSI?

Job opportunities don't drop from the sky.

Has Penang Forum become an irrelevant group filled with people stuck in the ivory tower, wearing tie and blazer cycling under the hot sun around Penang?

References

[1]https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/05/17/project-to-create-15k-jobs

[2]https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/05/21/its-lose-lose-for-penang-in-psr-privatisation-plan-says-economist/

[3]https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2018/07/29/request-for-proposal-rfp-is-not-open-tender-ahmad-hilmy-and-lim-mah-hui/1657137

PAS, a threat to Penang’s economy and future

Responding to the statements from PAS and Penang Sustainable Natural Heritage Association (Lekas) regarding the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project, as reported in Free Malaysia Today and The Vibes.

Free Malaysia Today: "State PAS chief Muhammad Fauzi Yusuf said an appeal by fishermen against the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) had yet to be heard and hence, the state government should not arbitrarily announce that it would “start work” in May."[1]

The Vibes: "The Penang Sustainable Natural Heritage Association (Lekas) is the latest group to urge the authorities to defer the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project, pending an appeal by a group of fishermen."[2]

These two groups have raised the same empty objections against PSR in the past, which is actually expected as Lekas’ chairman Zikrullah Ismail is one of PAS youth leaders in Penang.[3]

It is clear that PAS is going all out to stop sustainable development in Penang, desiring the state to suffer economic deterioration.

When Kedah’s Menteri Besar from PAS threatened to cut off water from flowing into Penang, these PAS leaders in Penang kept quiet.

When Kedah’s Menteri Besar from PAS unveiled the RM40 billion sea reclamation megaproject in Langkawi, these same PAS leaders in Penang went silent.[4]

But when the Penang State Government wanted to proceed with the PSR as part of the state’s efforts to pursue sustainable development, these PAS leaders suddenly became eco-warrior and went all out to criticise the project.

Obviously, these PAS leaders are spinning issues for political mileage at the expanse of the overall economic well-being of Penang and the future of the state.

Penang should not be turned into a backwater state. Penang is different from PAS-led states like Terengganu, Kedah, and Kelantan.

The 2019 GDP per capita of these three states were RM28,890 (Terengganu), RM21,488 (Kedah), and RM13,464 (Kelantan), while Penang’s was RM53,342.[5]

The highest among the PAS-led states is Terengganu, where the mining, burning, and refining of fossil fuel forms a large part of the state’s economy.

In 2016, 65% of Terengganu's economy depended on the oil and gas sector. Terengganu is one of the biggest oil and gas producers in Malaysia, of which 85% of the state's economy comes from the hydrocarbon sector.[6]

Petroleum product (including petrochemical) received the highest amount of investment, at RM542.7 million in 2019, accounting for 84.95% of the state’s total approved investment in 2019 (Jabatan Perangkaan Malaysia, Laporan Sosioekonomi Terengganu 2019, p.53).

It is estimated that 63% of Terengganu state government’s revenues and 60% of Kelantan’s come from fossil fuel sector in 2019.[7]

PAS leaders wholeheartedly embrace Terengganu’s and Kelantan's carbon-intensive economy but fervently preach about environmentalism in Penang. Hypocritical political antic?

Penang is pursuing sustainable development through the PSR project that upholds the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Sea reclamation is reported as a “mature and effective technology and can provide predictable levels of safety” by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the world’s top authority on climate matters. (The Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate: A Special Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2019).

PSR will help to secure Penang’s economy and future, while PAS continues to spin tales leading to the state’s economic deterioration.

References

[1]https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/04/12/stop-penang-from-starting-three-island-project-pas-tells-putrajaya/

[2]https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/23750/heritage-group-joins-chorus-for-penang-reclamation-deferment

[3]https://web.facebook.com/zikrullahismail/posts/10222692840574049

[4]https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/01/20/kl-group-to-reclaim-island-in-rm40-bil-langkawi-project/

[5]https://penanginstitute.org/resources/key-penang-statistics/visualisations-of-key-indicators/penang-gross-domestic-product/

[5]https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2017/09/22/banking-on-tourism-terengganu-targets-sector-to-become-main-contributor-to-states-economy/

[6]https://www.isis.org.my/2020/05/10/malaysias-slick-politics-of-oil/

Sustainable development and Penang South Reclamation (PSR)

I read with surprise the statement by Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) that the implementation of the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project is akin to destroying the earth:

"In Penang, rather than preserving the Earth, we destroy it, said an environmentalist in conjunction with the Earth Day celebration today. Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) president Meenakshi Ramen said proof of this can be seen in the biggest environmental hazard in the state – the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project."
(The Vibes, 22 April 2021, https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/24792/call-off-psr-as-earth-day-gift-to-penangites-environmentalist).

The statement is so alarmist, misleading, and unscientific that it sounds like coming from a doomsday cult rather than a credible NGO.

When discussing sea reclamation with reference to the PSR, it all boils down to what one is advocating and the assumption behind the advocacy?

Is it motivated merely by environmental preservation or sustainable development as climate action?

Both are completely different things. Just as Ottmar Edenhofer, lead author of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) assessment reports, remarked that climate policy is not environmental policy.[1]

Reclamation as sustainable development is not new to the earth, with history going back in centuries around the world.

Reclamation in the Netherlands can be traced back as far back as 800 years ago. It is estimated that the country has reclaimed more than 650,000 hectares.[2]

The Netherlands has recently expanded the Port of Rottendam by 2,000 hectares through reclamation.[3] The country is ranked the 13th in the Global Sustainability Index.[4] The Netherlands is not destroyed and continues to lead in sustainability practices.

Denmark has launched the Holmene project to reclaim nine islands (3.1 million square meter) to attract international investment and to boost the economy.[5] The country had previously initiated massive development on reclaimed land at Ørestad. Not only that Denmark is not destroyed, it is ranked 2nd in the Global Sustainability Index.[6]

Singapore has reclaimed more than 13,800 hectares since 1965. The city-state has planned for another 5,600 hectares of land expansion by 2030. Until today, Singapore still stands and continues to advance as the most sustainable city in Asia.[7]

Penang itself has benefited from various reclamation projects in the past. The state has reclaimed some 1,120 acres of land stretching from the Penang Bridge to Batu Maung for various development and the expansion of the Free Industrial Zone, providing thousands of jobs for Penangites. Karpal Singh Drive, Straits Quay, and Weld Quay are all built on reclaimed land.

The Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu expressway used by thousands of Penangites everyday is built on reclaimed land. The main piers of the Penang Bridge, the main connecting link between the island and the mainland, are built on four artificial islands.

Many reclamation projects around the world and in Penang itself have brought more benefits than negative impact. Reclamation when done right does not destroy the earth. In fact, reclamation is reported as a “mature and effective technology and can provide predictable levels of safety” by the world's top scientific authority on climate change, the UN's IPCC. (The Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate: A Special Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2019)

References

[1]https://www.forbes.com/sites/larrybell/2013/02/05/in-their-own-words-climate-alarmists-debunk-their-science/?sh=7c232e6168a3 and https://www.dailysignal.com/2010/11/19/climate-talks-or-wealth-redistribution-talks/

[2]de Glopper RJ, Smits H. Reclamation of land from the sea and lakes in the Netherlands. Outlook on Agriculture. 1974;8(3):148-155.

[3]https://www.joc.com/port-news/european-ports/port-rotterdam/rotterdam-opens-first-phase-giant-maasvlakte-2-container-hub_20130522.html and https://www.portofrotterdam.com/en/news-and-press-releases/maasvlakte-2

[4]https://earth.org/global_sustain/netherlands-ranked-13th-in-the-global-sustainability-index/

[5]https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/01/denmark-plans-silicon-valley-on-9-artificial-islands-off-copenhagen/

[6]https://earth.org/global_sustain/denmark-ranked-190th-in-the-global-sustainability-index/

[7]https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/singapore-ranks-top-in-sustainability-among-asian-cities-second-globally

What is wrong with PTMP and PSI?

I believe the story in South China Morning Post (15 Feb 2020) and letter from Kua Kia Soong have been misinformed regarding Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) and Penang South Islands (PSI).[1]

They are misinformed by a group called Penang Forum, consists of non-governmental organisation (NGO) members and Opposition political leaders from parties such as PAS.

Not all NGOs are against the ruling government but all Opposition leaders are, by the virtue of their political ambition. However, when an NGO has again and again displayed anti-government diatribe, it becomes evident that there is something more beneath the surface.

Penang Forum has evolved over the years from a constructive NGO to an Opposition-affiliated, if not infiltrated, entity. This is most obvious from their protests against almost all of the state-initiated projects in Penang.

While the Penang government, led by Pakatan Harapan coalition, is leading the state into a world-class competitive and high-income city, these NGOs seem to be trying their best to turn Penang into Kelantan.

Apparently, some of these NGOs have lost their eligibility to receive grants from international bodies when Penang in particular and Malaysia in general have emerged out of the ‘Third World’ category.[2] Is that a motivation for those NGOs to see Penang remains in a ‘Third World’ state?

The PTMP and PSI have become these NGOs’ main complaints against the Penang government, so much so that they organised a forum with a string of speakers attacking these initiatives.[3] But, what is wrong with PTMP and PSI?

The NGOs alleged that these projects lack expertise, but what they really wanted was to push for their own view to be regarded as “expertise”.

I once sat in a focus-group session with three transport experts presenting three different proposals to address Penang’s traffic woes. One argued for on-ground tram, one for bus rapid transit (BRT), and another one for Light Rail Transit (LRT). It is therefore wrong for those NGOs to talk as if there is only one expertise view on the matter.

Furthermore, the PTMP’s LRT and PSI have been vouched for respectively by Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and professor of transportation engineering, Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah and eminent economist such as the chairman of Khazanah Research Institute, Dr. Nungsari A. Radhi.

Dr. Ahmad has remarked that the LRT “is imperative and urgently needed for Penang,” while Dr. Nungsari has stated that the PSI “is a perfectly rational economic project for a place like Penang.”[4]

These are prominent and experienced experts whom those NGOs, South China Morning Post, and Kua Kia Soong have ignored.

The NGOs have also alleged that the PTMP and PSI are projects that were adopted by state government to benefit developers. This is wrong.

Those projects went through open tender in the form of request-for-proposal, a method used by the World Bank and United Nations. The present PTMP was the result of an evaluation over six different proposals by KPMG and hundreds of stakeholder engagement sessions.

In fact, the increase of the estimated cost for PTMP from RM27 billion to RM46 billion came from those stakeholder engagement sessions that requested transport infrastructures such as LRT, monorail, and longer BRT to be built on the mainland.[5]

By wanting to smear these projects, those NGOs highlight only the cost increase but hide the rationale behind the increment. That’s why the article in South China Morning Post and by Kua Kia Soong make no mention of this – misinformed by the NGOs.

I used to think that such smearing campaign was only carried out by the current Opposition political parties, until I came across Penang Forum.

The open tender method did not end with the PTMP. The PSI is currently going through a master design competition involving various globally renowned planners and architects working hand-in-hand with local firms to provide the best proposal that will benefit Penang in the long-run.

So, what is wrong with PTMP and PSI?

They are definitely not perfect plans, there will be impact, and mitigation measures will need to be in place to address those.

Nevertheless, they are gamechanger infrastructures that will path Penang’s future. And Penang Forum and Opposition politicians will continue to collaborate to do their best to prevent that from happening.

---

[1] https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3050442/fight-save-penang-proposed-mega-projects and https://www.thesundaily.my/opinion/civil-society-groups-protect-democracy-ME2017079

 

[2] https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/01/11/consumers-association-of-penang-turns-50-with-a-new-president-but-poorer/1826865

[3] https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/510976

[4] https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/09/521306/transforming-penangs-transport-system and https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/mysay-coastal-fishermen-and-public-transport

[5] https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/cost-penang-transport-master-plan-balloon-rm46b-says-project-delivery-partner