Penang Forum's symposium to discuss development and good governance end in a call for a better-planned, more systematic, holistic and sustainable growth process for the state
GEORGE TOWN: Penang Forum, an informal network of 40 local non-governmental organisations (NGOs), residents' associations (RAs) and concerned individuals, is calling for the state government to adopt a more people-centred, sustainable and greener approach in the development of the state.
It said the emergence of new development projects on the island, had caused alarm.
At its recent symposium on development and good governance, Penang Forum 4, on Sunday, the participants demanded that developments be in concordance with genuine need, as it was perceived that the new developments on the island had paid scant regard to sustainable development principles.
A statement issued the following day said a resolution was passed at the end of the symposium concluding that the government and local councils must implement a better planned, more systematic, a holistic and a sustainable development process.
To address rising concerns of over-development, Penang Forum 4 resolved that the state must institute a more participatory planning process, including the organisation of workshops to educate and engage the public on Local Plan drafts before approval.
The NGOs want the state to impose a moratorium on high-rise or high-density developments until the Local Plan was approved.
On land-reclamation projects, it said the state must also formulate land-use and land reclamation policies to ensure that it maintained control over matters such as planning.
Such policies would also help to protect the state's financial interests for the benefit of marginalised and vulnerable groups of Penangites, and allow provisions for sufficient affordable housing, public parks and social amenities on reclaimed land.
Penang Forum also urged the state government to formulate innovative and independent fiscal policies to generate and conserve financial resources for projects that would yield long-term benefits to the community.
"It must also address the poor integration of transport in town planning and land-use planning policies, and solve the RAs' various problems, especially by implementing independent social, environmental and traffic impact assessments for new projects.
"The local authorities must ensure that prompt enforcement exercises are taken for violations of laws or by-laws," Penang Forum demanded.
At earlier discussions at the symposium, the powers-that-be were criticised for the mess Penang island was perceived to be in. Traffic congestion, another nagging problem on the island, was raised, with Penang Traffic Council member Low Swee Heong saying that a major cause was the lack of enforcement to tackle illegal parking.
He also expressed concern at the state's independent announcement of plans for new expressways and roads when Penang's transport system and traffic situation were still under study by consultants.
It was not all brickbats, however. Penang Forum 4 noted improvements made by the state government and local councils that had increased efficiency and effectiveness in many areas.
The introduction of the open-tender system, no-plastic bag and no-Styrofoam policies, car-free days and Penang Speakers' Square; and initiatives that had allowed culture and the arts to flourish in Penang were recognised and praised.
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