He said once built, Penang Island would have a population density rivalling Hong Kong’s, at 17,000 people per sq km, compared with 2,600 people per sq km presently.
“Are we prepared to have a population boom, seven times more than present?
“These islands have a big implication on the people of Penang. Are we prepared to face this kind of population increase?
“The Penang government must explain, ” Zainal said at a press conference at Menara Boustead here today.
The Penang government has a multi-billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) to alleviate traffic congestion. It includes building a series of highways, train lines and other infrastructure.
It is to be funded by the creation of three man-made islands off Permatang Damar Laut, the southernmost part of Penang Island. It will create 1,659ha, with an expected population of 300,000.
Work on the islands is expected to begin in 2018.
Meanwhile, Zainal also questioned the projected cost estimate of the PTMP.
He said according to a stock exchange filing by the project delivery partners of the PTMP, the cost stood at RM27 billion.
Zainal said the Penang government, however, had recently raised the cost estimate to RM46 billion.
“The Penang government must be transparent and tell the people the actual figures,” he said.
In July, PTMP project delivery partner SRS Consortium had said the initial cost of the project had increased due to additional work at Seberang Prai.
They said the RM46 billion price tag was an estimate and would only be finalised after tenders were called.
It was reported that of the RM46 billion, the reclamation and infrastructure would cost RM16 billion and RM30 billion would be the cost of the PTMP components.