Penang has suffered from poor transport planning for 18 years, says Gerakan

Penang Gerakan said poor planning and lack of execution have worsened traffic congestion, which has affected both its residents and tourists.
GEORGE TOWN: Penang Gerakan claims that 18 years of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) have failed to resolve the state’s traffic woes, calling for an independent expert review to address the issue.

At its annual state convention today, the party passed a resolution blaming poor planning and lack of execution for the worsening traffic congestion, which it said has affected both residents and tourists.

“The state convention urges the Penang government to rope in experts to get their views and to implement short and long-term measures to address traffic-related issues,” the resolution read.

The Gerakan chapter said it strongly opposed the state  government’s planned increase in land tax and strata parcel rates, which are set to take effect in 2026 and 2027.

It described the hikes as excessive and out of touch with the people’s struggles, especially amid rising living costs and stagnant wages.

“These sudden and steep increases are not just poorly timed, they are unjust. We urge all state assembly members, whether in government or opposition, to stand with the rakyat and demand that the state government cancel these hikes,” another resolution stated.

The party also called for a complete rethink of the state’s land tax policy.

“A more rakyat-friendly land tax framework must be introduced – one that is fair (and) transparent, and takes into account the people’s ability to pay,” it said.

A resolutions asking the state to cancel its planned water tariff hike beginning next year was also passed. It noted that the 2024 increase brought in record profits, but service-related issues remained unresolved.

The party warned of poor financial management by the state authorities, pointing out that Penang’s reserves had dropped from more than RM1 billion to nearly zero, forcing it to borrow RM100 million from Putrajaya.

It called for cost-cutting, including stopping new official car purchases, and publication of the Buletin Mutiara state newspaper.

On national issues, Penang Gerakan expressed concern over Malaysia’s RM1.3 trillion debt and the outflow of foreign investors.

It called for economic reforms grounded in reality, not on “potential” foreign investment figures.

The party also called for a substantial increase in aid to the people in the 2026 budget, saying the RM100 one-off Sumbangan Asas Rahmah was not enough to ease cost-of-living pressures.

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