Monday, June 30, 2008

'No need to consult Penang govt on mega projects' - NST

BUTTERWORTH: Jun 30, 2008 By : S. Arulldas

There was no need to consult the state government when the decision was made to defer the RM2 billion monorail and RM1.5 billion Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) projects in Penang.
"What is there to consult? These are federal projects," said Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

He was commenting on Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's statement that the state was not consulted on the matter.

Nor Mohamed said it was not for him to answer whether the government would review its decision.

He said the Federal Government had decided to defer the mega projects to concentrate on relieving the people's burden after the recent increase in fuel price and other goods.
He said both the projects were of no priority in the current economic situation.

"The government is more focused on relieving people's financial burden right now."

Nor Mohamed was speaking after attending Sri Murugan Centre's Renaissance in Education programme at the Dewan Besar in Tasik Gelugor here yesterday.

Also present were Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department S.K. Devamany, Sri Murugan Centre director Datuk Dr M. Thambirajah and organiser and the co-director of the centre, L. Krishnan.

Nor Mohamed said the government had also decided to improve the state's public transport system by increasing the existing fleet of 150 RapidPenang buses to 250.

"If it is not found to be sufficient, then we will add 100 more buses."

He said the government had set aside RM100 million under the Amanah Ikthiar Malaysia to help the urban poor "as statistics revealed that majority of the Indians would benefit from the fund".

During the event, Devamany's mother, Nagarathinambal Krishnansamy, was honoured "Mother of the Year" for raising five children as a single parent for the last 10 years.

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