Farid (BN-Pulau Betong) said the Penang Transport Council (PTC), which would now decide if reclamation projects would be carried out or not, must have a diverse membership to ensure transparency.
He thanked the Pakatan bloc for allowing the rebel PKR 5 group to be part of the council, but including key non-governmental organisation figures might help shape better decisions.
“First and foremost, I would like to recommend the Opposition leader (Jahara Hamid) to be included in the PTC.
“And not forgetting five key figures from Penang and Malaysian NGOs.
“This way these individuals may contribute to making transparent decisions, as per the state government’s Competency, Accountability and Transparency motto,” he said during the debate of an emergency motion put forth by Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Padang Kota).
Chow had proposed a motion to not begin with reclamation projects to fund a transport blueprint until a Detailed Environment Impact Assessment was carried out, among others.
The PTC is a body that will advice, comment and make recommendations on issues of transportation in Penang, including the RM27 billion Transport Master Plan (PTMP). It is a body formed under the state executive council. It has also formed task forces to make policy recommendations as well.
Farid’s proposed team, aside from Jahara, were: former DAP strongman and Malaysia Transparency International chapter founder Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim; outspoken city councillor and Penang Forum steering committee member Dr Lim Mah Hui; Consumers’ Association of Penang president S M Mohamed Idris, award-winning architect Lim Chong Keat (who is also brother of former CM Lim Chong Eu), and homegrown NGO Citizen Awareness Chant Group adviser Prof Jimmy Lim.
Chow, in his winding up speech, thanked Farid for his suggestions and said it would be considered.
“Your suggestion to include these individuals will be brought to the exco meeting. And if these experts are appointed, I hope they can contribute to the process of finding possible alternatives (to the TMP).
“We clearly have a same vision for Penang, which is to ensure her future is safeguarded,” he said.
Related story: