GEORGE TOWN, Dec 1 ― The popular Gurney Drive promenade here will be eventually be reclaimed so residents are urged to attend dialogue sessions to gain a better understanding of the projects, said Pulau Tikus assemblyman Yap Soo Huey.

The DAP leader said reclamation was inevitable for the purpose of future mixed development projects and for the land swap deal to build an undersea tunnel connecting the island with the mainland.

“The project was proposed many years ago and yet, there are people who are unaware of the project so I'm willing to organise dialogue sessions with Gurney Drive residents to explain the full details of the project for better transparency,” she told a press conference at her office today.

Yap has been vocal about the proposed land reclamation project and the major infrastructure projects on the site, often demanding transparency and for stricter regulations for the projects.

She previously said there was no need for the undersea tunnel project and proposed that the state focus instead on reducing car dependency.

The state lawmaker has also proposed that the state use the reclaimed land swap deal for other public transportation projects such as trams, instead of the undersea tunnel.

Today, however, Yap acknowledged that the projects will eventually be implemented but pledged to continue putting them under the spotlight to ensure transparency.

“Despite asking controversial questions in each seating, I have not been gagged by DAP or the state government and to be fair, they continued to answer my questions with openness and transparency,” she said.

She also acknowledged that feasibility studies for the land reclamation project, as well as  the proposed five highways and undersea tunnel have been completed.

“Land reclamation on Gurney Drive is going to happen no matter what and I'm concerned about what will happen to the land, the plans for the land and the details of the public park component of the project,” she said.

Over the last few days, banners with Yap's pictures and the words “Penang doesn't need an undersea tunnel. The project, the land swap deal, there's something fishy about it!” attributed to Yap were put up around Sungai Ara, Scotland Road and Tanjung Tokong.

Yap, however, denied ever stating there was “something fishy” about the projects and stressed that the banners were not by her, anyone from her centre or fellow DAP members.

“I have raised questions about the project but I never said there's something fishy about it so these banners were put up with malicious intent,” she said.

Most of the banners said to be illegal have been taken down and Yap will be lodging a police report on the matter this afternoon.

Land reclamation projects in the state are often a hot topic at the state legislative assembly.