Make clear your stance on mega projects, CM told - The Star

Jul 1, 2008

THE Pakatan Rakyat-led Government has been told to make a clear stance on the monorail and Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) projects which were deferred in the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) mid-term review.

Gerakan Youth Small and Medium Industries (SMI) Bureau chairman Goh Kheng Sneah said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has held inconsistent views on the two projects.

“Before DAP took office, they were always against the implementation of the RM2bil monorail and RM1.5bil PORR,” he said.

He said a Chinese daily had even quoted Lim proposing a subway rather than a monorail on March 27.

Penang projects: (From left) Gerakan publicity bureau chief Khaw Veon Szu, Goh and Gerakan Wanita chairman Ng Siew Lai showing an articla on DAP members opposing the PORR.

Last August, Lim’s political secretary Ng Wei Aik was also quoted by the Chinese dailies as saying PORR should be called off.

In 2002, state executive councillor Danny Law, who was then a Batu Lanchang assemblyman, had even tabled a motion for PORR to be postponed.

“But when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said both projects would be deferred, Lim had apparently jia xing xing (shed crocodile tears), saying he would press Abdullah in Parliament for answers over the deferment.

“I hope they will have a clear stance on the whole issue, whether for or against the projects,” he told a press conference at the Gerakan headquarters yesterday.

Goh said, “In contrast, Gerakan has always maintained a firm stand that the two projects must go on.”

On Friday, Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said Lim had sent “confusing signals” to the Federal Government that contributed to the shelving of the projects.

In respond to Goh’s comment, Lim said Gerakan leaders should not skirt the issue by trying to distract attention.

“When have I ever given conflicting statements on the issue? I have never given any statements, either before or after I took over as Chief Minister, that I am against PORR or the monorail project,” Lim said after launching Penang Hepatitis Day in Queens-bay Mall.

He said he was unaware of previous statements made by Law and Ng and emphasised that he had the final authority as the official voice of the state government.

“The stand of the Government is decided by the Chief Minister and state exco members. The Chief Minister has the power to overrule any contrary statements given by others and I have been consistent in saying that these two projects should go on,” he said.
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