THE closure of the Penang Hill Railway for a seven-month upgrade last week (read here) was received with many questions and concerns from various segments:

• Khoo Salma Nasution (President, Penang Heritage Trust):  “The closure of the Penang Hill Railway – the only one of its kind in Southeast Asia – is an event of great sadness in the rich history of Penang. It is claimed that Penang’s historic funicular railway is being closed on 22 February 2010 for ‘upgrading’. The public is generally unaware that the project will irrevocably alter the character of the existing railway as we know it, and entail the destruction of many of its important elements... we would insist that any upgrading be done with a thorough understanding and appreciation of history, heritage and environmental issues. We would also insist that important heritage elements of the original railway are retained. We believe that this is not the case with the present project.”  Read here
• SM Idris (President, Consumers' Association of Penang and Sahabat Alam Malaysia): “We are not sure if there was a consideration for the optimum number of persons at the hill top or if the environment can sustain that number without an unacceptable degree of deterioration of the character and quality of the environment, or the recreation experience that visitors expect of the hill...We are concerned that with increased human traffic, the natural surroundings, tranquillity and passive outdoor recreation would be gravely impacted as this ecologically sensitive area cannot sustain heavy use.” Read here
• Anil Netto, socio-political blogger: “While others are marvelling at the unique Penang Hill funicular railway, we are about to lose large chunks of a priceless heritage, thanks to a hasty federal ‘upgrading’ project...Who was the RM63 million contract awarded to? And who will absorb any cost overruns?” Read here
• Soo Ewe Jin (Deputy Executive Editor, The Star): “Changing coaches at the middle station will not be necessary anymore. That’s a real shame. Some may deem it an inconvenience but I call it a quaint necessity to fully take in the beauty of the journey up the hill...But we must also realise that Penang is just a small dot in the wider scheme of things. Penang, by itself, cannot drive up the tourism numbers simply by promoting its state’s attractions. It has to work hand-in-hand with the other states, and also the federal government. And this is where politics must be kept strictly in the background.” Read here

Other opinions:

• Tourist from Canada: “I think this is moving in the wrong direction and I urge those responsible to reconsider the proposal. Would San Francisco replace their trolley cars or New York replace their harbour ferries or Vancouver replace the Lion’s Gate Bridge just because newer options exist? This would be foolish and valuable tourist revenue would disappear.” Read here
• Rob Dickinson (International Steam Pages): "This was definitely ‘just in time’ industrial archaeology.” View here for some amazing photographs of the hill railway.

In other news, in response to Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik's statement that Gerakan has lost Penang for good (read here), Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon urged party members to work hard to prove Tun Dr Lim wrong.  “Penang held only one seat for three terms and although Gerakan is in a worse situation (Gerakan lost all its seats in Penang during the March 8, 2008 general election), the party should take it as a challenge.” Read here

Also in the news were the resignations of former Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin (read here) and Nibong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng (read here). With their departure, PKR now has 29 MPs and Pakatan Rakyat’s representation in Parliament has been reduced to 80. In response, state PKR leaders have described the resignations as a blessing (read here). Meanwhile Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has declined to comment on the resignations. “The state government is stable and unaffected by these developments. We do not need to say anything; let the people judge for themselves what is happening.” Read here

Other news

• Penang requests RM388 Million for World Heritage Site conservation: The Penang government will put forward a request for RM388 million to the federal government for conservation and restoration of the George Town World Heritage Site. Read here
• PHT: Move Tanjung Tokong villagers to an island: The Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) is proposing that the Tanjung Tokong villagers be moved to an island that can be turned into a model Malay village complete with its traditional architectural features. Read here
• Penang Bridge celebrates 25th anniversary this year: Penang Bridge, which has carried millions of vehicles and passengers since it was officially opened to the public on Sept 14, 1985, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Read here
• Penang senior citizens to receive RM100 annually beginning April: The state government will distribute aid of RM100 annually to each senior citizen in Penang who are eligible and aged 60 and above beginning April. Read here
• Developers to launch RM1b projects in Penang: Four major Kuala Lumpur-based developers plan to launch some RM1.16bil worth of luxurious residential properties in Penang this year, in view of a recovering domestic economy and continuing demand for high-end homes. Read here

For more news on Penang from February 22 to 28, 2010 , please click here

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