SAM calls for halt on mega projects until local plan ready

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), an environmental NGO, is urging the Penang state government to halt approvals for major infrastructure projects on the island.

The call comes amidst concerns about a lack of transparency and public participation in the planning process, including the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Penang Hill Cable Car.

Lack of transparency and public input

While the Penang Island Structure Plan 2030 references these projects, it lacks detailed zoning information typically found in a Local Plan.

SAM emphasises the importance of a Local Plan for ensuring accountability and transparency in development decisions.

The group highlights a recent Federal Court case (Sunrise Condominium vs Sunway City) where authorities were criticised for approving projects without a Local Plan in place.

The court decision emphasised that the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA) requires public participation in the planning process, both for Structure Plans and Local Plans.

A Local Plan provides a platform for public input on zoning details in specific areas, which is currently absent in the case of Penang’s mega projects.

SAM: Existing plans lack detail for major project

SAM further argues that existing plans lack sufficient detail to assess the social and environmental impacts of these major projects.

For instance, the Penang Hill Special Area Plan addresses zoning within the designated area, but fails to consider potential impacts on surrounding areas, including the Penang Botanical Gardens.

Similarly, the alignment of the proposed LRT project is yet to be finalized, raising concerns about potential disruptions to neighbourhoods along its route.

SAM urges the Penang state government and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to adhere to the TCPA by prioritising the development of a Local Plan.

This would ensure transparency, public participation, and responsible planning decisions for major infrastructure projects.

SAM emphasises that proceeding without a Local Plan would be inconsistent with the democratic planning process envisioned by the TCPA.

The group reiterates its call for a halt on decisions related to these mega projects until a proper Local Plan is established, allowing for responsible development with proper public participation.