THIRD PENANG LINK: NO FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY STUDY?

Aliran is surprised that the Penang state government could announce the third Penang link (the proposed bridge-tunnel linking Penang island to the mainland) when it hasn’t even a clue how much the project is going to cost.

Surely, it should have some idea of the cost. Where did the RM2 billion figure quoted in the Press come from? Was it plucked from the air? Surely, the state government would have done some kind of financial feasibility study to decide if the project is viable. If it hasn’t, how on earth can the Penang government go ahead and announce the project? Without some idea of the cost of the proposed link, how on earth could the consultants Halcrow propose the link?

If it is going to be a privatised project, how is the money for the project going to be raised? When it is completed, how much will commuters have to pay in toll? We are sure the Penang government doesn’t want a repeat of the fiasco over the grossly under-utilised Second Malaysia-Singapore Link, which commuters are avoiding due to the exorbitant tolls
 
We think that certain politicians are pushing for this project from Pulau Tikus to Bagan Ajam as part of the overall plan to site the proposed controversial Northern Region International Airport in Kedah. (The NRIA was to replace the Penang International Airport, which is conveniently located in Bayan Lepas). If not, why have another link in the north of the island when the ferry service about 6 km away  has been scaled down?

There are some unscrupulous people who love this sort of big projects because of the opportunities mega projects present for kickbacks and large contracts that don’t go through the proper tender procedures. We hope that this is not the main reason that the Third Link is being so actively pursued at a time when the ferry services could be upgraded and public transport in the state considerably improved.

Anil Netto
Exco Member
4 June 1998