We are particularly concerned about the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) and the Jelutong Expressway. These projects will involve the displacement and dislocation of massive numbers of people and will certainly have tremendous social impacts in terms of loss of housing and effects on livelihood.

Apart from these social implications, there are also concerns about how the PORR will change the historic character of the island, and limit pedestrian access to the waterfronts. The environmental implications are also serious, in relation to amount of earthworks and piling activities that would be carried out. The PORR will encourage much more traffic on the island and compound existing traffic dispersal problems.

Given these major concerns, we are shocked to learn that the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the PORR has been approved by the Department of Environment preliminarily, without the requirement for a Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment. Hence, there was no opportunity for public feedback on the EIA.

How can such a major infrastructure project with massive implications be approved without any public review?

Further, we are extremely disappointed that the State Authorities have not made any attempts to inform and consult with the communities who will be affected by the PORR.

We are distressed that the implementation of the PORR is proceeding without any public consultation and feedback, despite the magnitude of the problems this project will bring.

We urge the State Government not to rush into its implementation without a careful and serious consideration of all the impacts of the PORR. In this regard, we urge the DOE to insist on a Detailed EIA to be commissioned and reviewed, after giving an opportunity for public feedback.

f S.M.Mohd.Idris
President