Saturday June 28, 2008 MYT 5:50:15 PM

Blame those who shelved projects, Lim tells Koh

By ANDREA FILMER

GEORGE TOWN: Stop the blame game and go after those responsible for shelving the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) and monorail project - this is Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s response to his predecessor Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

Lim questioned why the former Chief Minister was blaming him for the shelving of the projects, when it was the Prime Minister and Federal Government’s decision to withhold allocation during the Ninth Malaysia Plan mid-term review.

“The state government has said from the beginning that we want all Federal Projects in the state to continue.

“Show me any statement where I said I didn’t want PORR or the monorail,” Lim said in a challenge to Dr Koh during a press conference after meeting with representatives from China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd.

He said the state had requested adjustments in PORR’s alignment to reduce public impact, but made it clear to the Government that both projects should continue.

He said as Gerakan acting president, Dr Koh has failed to speak up against the Government for making the decision.

In a statement issued on Friday, Dr Koh said Lim had sent “confusing signals” to the Federal Government that had contributed to the shelving of the projects.

While launching a service centre in Jelutong earlier in the day, Lim said the Federal Government should give Penang back the RM3.5bil previously allotted for the projects.

“Penangites pay taxes so it is only right for us to get our fair share in allocation,” he said.

On the second Penang bridge, Lim said contractors China Harbour had cited the rising cost of materials and specification upgrades as reasons for the bridge’s escalating price.

“Amongst the reasons given was upgrading specifications for the bridge to have a 120 year life span in comparison to the original plan of 100 years,” he said.

When asked if he was satisfied with the explanation, Lim said the bridge’s price tag was ultimately up to the Federal Government and a detailed breakdown on all cost aspects should be given.

“The people have a right to know why the bridge project cost has risen from RM2.7bil to RM4.3bil in the past year,” he said, adding that the bridge should be built as soon as possible.