YB. R.S.N RAYER - A.D.U.N. SERI DELIMA, PENANG

The Penang government has expressed shock that the second Penang Bridge project would be delayed and disputed the federal government's claim that land acquisition was a contributing factor.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state Economic Planning Unit and relevant departments had been directed to expedite the land acquisition process.
He said there was no reason for the federal government to cite land acquisition as the cause of the delay.
"I am shocked over the prime minister's announcement that work on the second Penang Bridge project will be delayed. I have just been informed about the matter and I do not understand why the project is being delayed," he said, adding the state government would seek an explanation soon.

Lim said this after attending the swearing-in ceremony of the Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) councillors at its headquarters in Bandar Perda here today. Also present were state Local Government, Traffic Management and Environment Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow, state secretary Datuk Jamaludin Hasan and MPSP president Farizan Darus.
Lim said the delay would affect the cost of the project and questioned if the federal government was going back on its word that all projects planned for Penang would be carried out..
"Two weeks ago when I met the prime minister he assured me that the second Penang Bridge and other projects in the state that benefit the people would continue. Now we are being told that there is going to be a delay," he said.
Lim also questioned whether the delay would affect Penang's development as a logistics hub under the Northern Corridor Economic Region plan.