Friday, March 09, 2012  Please Respect SAM and CAP View on Mega
Infrastructure Projects in Penang  Public discourse on
governance issues related to the Penang state government,
especially Dap leaders, has been attracting worrying and often
rude responses from hardcore Pakatan/Dap supporters. Some of the
responses had resorted to unbecoming name calling, racism and
illogical argument.   Recently, two NGOs - Sahabat Alam Malaysia
and Consumers Association of Penang - both led by veteran
activist SM Mohamed Idris had questioned the "transparency and
openness" of the state government, claiming it lacked public
consultation on planned infrastructure projects.   To be fair to
SM Mohamed Idris, his complaint is reasonable and important. The
NGOs had merely asked the state government to hold back the
announcement of these huge infrastructure projects until the
Transport Master Plan is being tabled. Like it or not, Penang's
traffic congestion has been one of the major turnoffs to
residents and visitors.   Previously i