槟政府奖励 统考生 《珍珠快讯》 封面版 MARCH 16 – 31, 2019 Charting the future of Penang Story by Christopher Tan IN a recent interview with that the Transport Minister will at ang Undersea Tunnel project. least give us a conditional approval. Chow said the Penang Undersea WHEN he first started his political business radio station BFM89.9, “We just need the Environmen- Tunnel “northern link” is still a journey in 1986, never would Chow tal Impact Assessment (EIA) ap- feasible move. Kon Yeow have imagined that he Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow proval for the Pan Island Link 1 “It is the shortest connection would be the Penang Chief Minis- project. The Department of Envi- between Penang island and the ter one day. spoke on a wide range of topics – ronment (DoE) technical commit- mainland, serving the northern re- “I am a quiet and a low-profile tee had their last meeting with the gion. character. However, as the Chief from his beginnings in politics representative of the state govern- “We are still waiting for the Minister of Penang, I must be at the to Penang2030. ment last week and I feel that a completion of the tunnel’s feasibil- forefront of decision-making. decision is forthcoming very soon. ity study before we proceed with “In politics, you have to rise up projects could be reviewed accord- PTMP project has not been finalised “With regard to the Penang the EIA submission. Since the to the occasion when the call of duty ing to viability. and cannot be determined at this South Reclamation project, we feasibility study for the tunnel has comes,” he said in the radio inter- “New programmes or projects juncture; unless we obtain the ap- need to present the project to the not been completed, we can’t pro- view on Feb 28. can also be included from time to provals or conditional approvals National Physical Planning Coun- ceed with the final design. time to encourage vibrant develop- needed and are able to move for- cil, which is scheduled to meet on “Feasibility study for the three Leaving a legacy ment in Penang,” he said. ward to get the actual costs when April 16. The meeting will be major roads has been completed. Chow said he learned a lot from we tender out the work compo- chaired by the Prime Minister. The project delivery partner is now his predecessor Lim Guan Eng, PTMP – the long-term trans- nents. Probably the proposal will be tabled working on the final design for the who is now Finance Minister. port master plan “We are still waiting for the and a decision can be made. Package Two of the major roads “Lim left a great impact on Pen- Chow said the state was still railway scheme approval for the “This is aside from obtaining the project, before the work agreement ang over the past 10 years, and I am waiting for the relevant approvals LRT project, on top of the Environ- EIA approval for the project,” can be signed between the state and happy to continue this journey with for the projects under the Penang mental Impact Assessment, Social Chow said. the company (Consortium Zenith him in the federal government, Transport Master Plan (PTMP). Impact Assessment studies which He also spoke on the RM6.3 Construction). while I do what is best for Penang,” “The final cost of the entire we have to comply with. We hope billion three major roads and Pen- “If this can be done, Phase Two he said. can begin in August. Speaking of legacy, Chow said “The final design for the Tan- he does not want to be remembered jung Bungah-Teluk Bahang major for “mammoth buildings”. road project is currently in pro- “I would like to leave behind a gress. However, the Penang gov- better-connected Penang; in terms ernment has asked the consortium of transport infrastructure and to to put on hold the final design for provide a more livable Penang.” the Pangkor Road-Tun Dr Lim Elaborating further, he hoped to Chong Eu Expressway major road improve the rakyat’s quality of life project,” Chow added. and to make available good and Chow said these transport plans quality jobs. are to prepare Penang beyond “I launched the ‘Penang2030: A 2050. Family-focused, Green and Smart “If we do not set the corridor for State that Inspires the Nation’ ac- roads now, it will be quite impos- tion plan to achieve what I have sible for Penang to build roads in just said. the future when lands are released “We will be launching a booklet for development. (The entire trans- (on the Penang2030) in May, but port master plan) must be looked the details are not something cast GOOD TIMES AHEAD... Batu Kawan is set for some exciting days with a number of projects that from a long-term perspective,” he will transform the township. Among these is the world’s largest furniture retailer, the Swedish giant IKEA, in stone,” he said. which opened its doors on March 14. said. He said the programmes or • Turn to Pg 2 2 NEWS March 16 – 31, 2019 BULETIN MUTIARA 2 Penang eyeing new airport for long term Story by K.H. Ong Chief Minister Chow Kon “We try to have a new airport to Putrajaya for meetings related to address the terminal capacity Yeow said a consultant, who has in Penang through reclamation. to transport and water issues. constraint at PIA. THE Penang government is looking been engaged, has drawn up the We want the airport to remain in “If the airport is needed in Although it has a capacity for beyond 30 years from now on terms of reference and the scope Penang instead of going else- Seberang (Perai), we have to ac- 6.5 million passengers annually, whether there is a need for a new of study for the state government where,” Chow said on March 7 cept the fact that there is no more PIA recorded 7.8 million last airport and if so, a suitable site for it. to go through. when asked about his recent trip land available in Penang (is- year. Chow said the projected land).” expansion by Malaysia Airports Chow also believes that if the Holdings Berhad (MAHB) be- current Penang International fore the 14th General Election Airport (PIA) in Bayan Lepas is last May was 12 million whereas expanded, it would be the final the Finance Ministry targeted 16 expansion looking at the scarcity million after the upgrading of of land in the vicinity. PIA. “You can see that it’s almost Chow said Kedah too raised impossible to expand and to put the issue of building just a cargo a new runaway without having airport and not a passenger air- to acquire all the factories at the port in Kulim at the meeting. site of the Bayan Lepas airport. While the idea is in “the early “That’s why we feel that in the days”, Chow said it would be very long run even with the pro- best left to the authorities to do posed expansion, it will last a study on whether the Kulim Penang another 10 to 20 years. airport project is justified to be “But what about beyond that? near a current one and whether it We need to look at the new air- is necessary for Kulim to have a port and we like to propose a new cargo airport. Lim and Wong with a group the constituents before distributing stalk of flowers in conjunction airport. If it is not in Batu Maung, “The reason given by Kedah with International Women’s Day celebration on March 3. then may be on one of three PSR for a cargo airport is that some- (Penang South Reclamation) is- times we could not cope (with Private partnership vital to airport expansion plan lands or also may be another is- the business). This I think I need land,” Chow added. my department to advise me. But THE Penang International Airport similar model would be applied in The introduction of direct flights For the moment, Chow said I don’t think so (that PIA could (PIA) expansion works to cater for other nationwide airports in future from Doha, Qatar, to Penang, has the state government was trying not cope),” Chow said. the burgeoning growth in passenger in a bid to save cost. brought many foreign visitors to the traffic would be done through pri- “With this planned expansion, I state, according to Lim. Ecosystem draws large vate financing initiative (PFI) hope the state’s tourism industry “This is important to attract which will be less costly, says Fi- and its economy will be boosted,” more visitors to the state,” he added. companies to Penang nance Minister Lim Guan Eng. said Lim, who is also the Air Putih Earlier, Lim, together with his Through this initiative, he esti- assemblyman, during a press con- wife Betty Chew, Bukit Bendera • From Pg 1 cation and retaining talents in mated the open tender for the pro- ference at his service centre on MP Wong Hon Wai and his service Penang. ject to be called by this year. March 3. centre members handed out stalks Penang stays competitive Elaborating on the matter, he With Kedah’s commitment to of flowers to Air Putih constituents Chow said Penang managed to Diversification of tourism said the PFI model is similar to the build the airport, many companies in view of International Women’s attract many large companies to sector strategy used by the Kedah govern- have reportedly been showing in- Day celebration.