KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — The allocation of 10 new projects worth RM2.3 billion for the upgrading of highways and roads in Penang under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) proves that the federal government does not sideline the state.

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said these projects included five road upgrading projects for traffic dispersal to reduce congestion at the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge, estimated to cost RM1 billion.  “I was surprised that in YB Bagan’s (Lim Guan Eng) speech yesterday, there was no mention at all of projects for Penang in the 11MP.  “Where is it that the federal government is treating Penang like a step-child? That side (opposition) gets unnerved when we say the truth...I have mentioned these (projects)...so I want Bagan and his ilk to stop saying inappropriate and confusing things,” she said.

Rosnah was referring to the claim by Lim, who is also Penang chief minister, that the federal government was sidelining the state, while debating on the 11MP in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Ng Wei Aik (DAP-Tanjung) had asked her the cause of the road congestion heading towards Penang Bridge and whether the government planned to streamline the toll rates at both bridges.

Denying that the congestion was caused by road users’ refusal to pay the high toll rates at the second bridge, Rosnah who is also Papar MP, attributed it to the increase in the nunmer of vehicles and the rapid development taking place in that corridor.

Meanwhile, she said, the government was considering a new alternative route to reduce the traffic congestion after the Juru toll plaza right up to the Seberang Jaya interchange.

“The ministry is now in the process of appointing a consultant to carry out a feasibility study on building an alternative road along the main route of the northern corridor,” she added. — Bernama