GEORGE TOWN: THE Penang government has defended its RM30 million bicycle lane project, after its hefty price tag raised the eyebrows of many.
In dismissing critics of the project cost, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state government had to fork out only RM4.6 million for the Queensbay-George Town stretch of the bike lane.
“Private developers had poured in the balance of RM25.4 million,” he said after launching a completed section of the bicycle lane at Gama Supermarket here.
The 1.55km link he launched near Komtar is part of a 12.5km link, and is funded mostly by Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) at a cost of RM4.6 million.
A Penang-based property developer, BHL Waterfront Sdn Bhd, had forked out RM100,000 for the stretch.
The coastal cycle lane is part of the state government’s Bicycle Lane Masterplan.
Under the plan, local authorities and private developers will build bicycle lanes on the island (120km) and on the mainland (80km).
Lim said questions raised by certain quarters questioning the high costs were unwarranted.
He said the contract was awarded through an open tender and developers were paying for it.
“Who are we to ask why developers are paying so much? It is their money. We are happy they are building a bicycle lane for the public.”
Lim said if there were parties who were unhappy with the funding of the project, they can always lodge a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“Make a report and let MACC investigate us. We are not afraid,” he said, claiming that there were many lies being spread about the state government.
The first phase of the 12.5km coastal bicycle lane linking Queensbay Mall in Bayan Lepas to Komtar in George Town started in October 2012.
It is a joint effort between the MPPP and six private developers: IJM Land, Tropicana Ivory, GSD Land, CP Landmark, BHL Waterfront and Asia Green Group.
The 9.6km stretch from Queensbay to Sungai Pinang will be built by developers while the 2.9km route linking Sungai Pinang to Weld Quay and then to Komtar will be built by the council.
Meanwhile, MPPP president Datuk Patahiyah Ismail said the council had allocated a cumulative RM6.2 million for 2013 and 2014 for bicycle lane projects and upgrading works.
The council has set aside RM2.4 million for the same purpose next year.