GEORGE TOWN: MCA has urged Penang government to shelve the RM27 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) in the wake of possible threat to the George Town's Unesco World Heritage Site status. State MCA deputy chairman Tan Teik Cheng said PTMP was expected to cause George Town to lose its world heritage status due to commercial interests and the multi-billion ringgit involving a proposed undersea tunnel would be a waste of money. For example, the proposed tunnel has been touted as an exaggeration due to hefty price tag while the light railway transit (LRT) as part of PTMP has been lauded. Tan also supported an alternative transportation system proposed by a coalition of civil society groups, The Penang Forum that features trams to address Penang traffic congestion. He concurred that Penangites needed development in the future but they did not want to see a large-scale development plan that would eventually lead to the delisting the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site.

Source: New Strait Times October 26, 2016 04:52 UTC