Good to hear that this project is still on track. It has full support and will open up the north of the island for the people here at the northern part of the mainland and also people from Kulim, Sungai Petani and even Thailand. Unlike the 2nd bridge, this link will operate at full capacity from day one. Now, we will standby for ‘self centered islander masquerading as enviromentalist’ comment in…3…2…1…

“The reclaimed land would stretch from the seafood restaurant near the Gurney Drive roundabout to Tanjung Seri Pinang.”

is that the BIG RECLAIMATION ISLAND that E&O going to reclaim soon?

Or there is another big reclaimation for it?

@peter

Personally as an islander myself owning a few properties in the northern part of the island, from the point of view of asset value, I have no complains. Whether the tunnel is built or not, this area will remain the preferred residential area for the wealthy and the foreigners.

But when you said “self centered islander”, I think you’re still not getting it.

You have to realize that these so-called “mega-projects” don’t come free. When you have the 2nd bridge built by federal, every tax payers in Msia pays for that (including Petronas as a major tax payer). But when you have our state building such mega project, who pays for that? Lim “SueYou” GE? The Rocket Recreational Club? Msia tax payers? State treasury? Crony developers? Nope!Nope!Nope!

It’s Penagites’ future generations! With all those state land tradings with developers, your future generations will be footing the bill for that MFcK-ing tunnel, by way of having to buy very expensive homes from these developers for the many many years to come. Your children & grandchildren will have to work multiple jobs & OT to own a show-box home. Is that the kind of life you want your future generations to live?

lai lai lai….sapu this tunnel property…can collect toll. good prospect.

@vellu
Agreed with your last sentence regarding to drawback of getting into this land swap approach, it is true that home will be getting expensive as developer could sell their project in higher price. nevertheless, for property market, nothing could run away from supply and demand concept. no matter how high of price developer calls, if there is no buyer, in the end, the market will be in downturn. let the market correct it by itself.

Go back to you first sentence in explaining the northern part of island is considered wealthy and foreigner, do remember they are also poor people living in those area, in fact, it is just the matter of perception. to be honest, it is nothing to be proud of staying in northern area. I have been staying in this area so many year, I feel nothing is special but housing is more expensive, there is no difference in term of traffic congestion, I think it is getting worse nowadays as there are more and more high rise sprout around. my 2cents.

@vellu

Can’t keep begging and waiting for money from federal right? how much money federal spend on penang before? guess?

@vellu

Hello, Nice to meet you ‘ Self centered Islander Economist / Speculator / NGO.

“Personally as an islander myself owning a few properties in the northern part of the island, from the point of view of asset value, I have no complains. Whether the tunnel is built or not, this area will remain the preferred residential area for the wealthy and the foreigners.”

“It’s Penagites’ future generations! With all those state land tradings with developers, your future generations will be footing the bill for that MFcK-ing tunnel, by way of having to buy very expensive homes from these developers for the many many years to come. Your children & grandchildren will have to work multiple jobs & OT to own a show-box home. Is that the kind of life you want your future generations to live?”

Vellu, I am looking to buy a house for “My children & grandchildren”.
As you ” own a few properties in the northern part of the island “,
Maybe YOU can help me ? As I am Very Concerned about “My children & grandchildren” having ” to work multiple jobs & OT to own a show-box home”,
Maybe YOU, Seeing as you show such ” Concern & Care ” about “My Children & Grandchildren” will sell me one of Your Properties at Slightly Below Market Value ?
Dear Speculator Vellu, “These Developers” are not the only ones selling the “expensive homes”, the person you see in the mirror every morning is selling “expensive homes” too.
So you are blaming the tunnel for the price that You set for Your “Multiple Properties” when you sell them ? I rest my case.
By the way, What I really want for “My Children and Grandchildren”, is for them to be able to travel to Gurney Drive and shop and watch a French movie at Gurney Plaza at 9 PM at night and still come home the same night. And I want them to have the option to have an education at the northern part of the island, Without having to Rent an oversized condo from Dear Vellu above.

@james

Well, yes, you are right, the market dictates price. But there is a big difference between “local market” vs “international market”. Quayside condo would be a good example. You can hardly sell anything at RM1000psf to the locals, judging by the resale market

But E&O can sell new Quayside units in Spore+HK+Jpn at RM1500psf. So guess what the developers are going to do in the future with the land they obtained from the state? That’s how we loose our precious real estate to foreigners. So don’t regret one day when you see all those crude and loud mainland chine5e infesting our neighbourhood!

@kopi peng

Thought we just got a multi billion 2nd bridge? We don’t need the tunnel anyway. You think what, want to convert Penang to New York city ah? Siao! Do you know that there’s 1 person getting mugged every minute in New York city? There’s a price to pay for rapid modernization.

This project complete beyond year 2020, I think this is a good planning by the Penang state Government.

@vellu

so you prefer penang to stagnant for century ah?

Believed state government has the expertised team to study the feasibility on the above project. If they approve the project, I believed it is a wise one, unless you can proof them wrong with solid facts.
But if it is another party to handle this project, then I will doubt it.

vellu :
But E&O can sell new Quayside units in Spore+HK+Jpn at RM1500psf. So guess what the developers are going to do in the future with the land they obtained from the state? That’s how we loose our precious real estate to foreigners. So don’t regret one day when you see all those crude and loud mainland chine5e infesting our neighbourhood!

More Priceless Rhetoric from “”a few properties in the northern part of the island vellu””.
So our ” moral and patriotic ” Speculator vellu here will accept no Foreign Buyers for his “”few properties in the northern part of the island””. Speechless Stunned Silence. And this is Speculator vellu’s earlier statement :

“Personally as an islander myself owning a few properties in the northern part of the island, from the point of view of asset value, I have no complains. Whether the tunnel is built or not, this area will remain the preferred residential area for the wealthy and the foreigners.”

vellu :
@kopi peng
Thought we just got a multi billion 2nd bridge? We don’t need the tunnel anyway. You think what, want to convert Penang to New York city ah? Siao! Do you know that there’s 1 person getting mugged every minute in New York city? There’s a price to pay for rapid modernization.

More Priceless “balanced” comments, really almost unbelievable “intelligence” and “insight”.
All those glittering condos on the island now, “a few properties in the northern part of the island vellu” owns how many ?
vellu : “rapid modernization” = “mugging”. Our school system is really performing “flawlessly”.

@james

OK. Let me try to understand what you’re saying. Vellu the speculator who owns a few properties is one of those responsible for the unaffordable homes in Penang? Well, I’m afraid you’re right! As long as the state keeps doing what it’s doing now, Vellu & friends will surely try to make more money as and when the opportunity arise.

@vellu
It is truely agreed with you regarding to the approach whereby the richer will be in benefit the most if the situation keep going like this. the richer getting richer and poorer getting poorer. but the question is… how long the situation can last, it is just matter of time for the bubble to burst, there have been a few countries encountering the same. the reason is… the price is far beyond local affordability vs income, the benchmark in price always being manipulated and speculated, the main problem is.. paper value is an attrative agenda, human like to hear good than bad. Do you think that can the price continue to go up from one new project to another, if you think buying property in that area can give you the higher profit from investment standpoint, then good luck to you : ) . personally, it is nothing to be proud of staying in northern area. every market (eirther local or international) has its own market to cater for.

To be honest, i have opposite view from yours, Queyside is a good example, there has been a lot of seller aggressively wanted to let go thier unit. so, wait and see how high in price or fast the speculator can sell their unit in that area. you may visit any property portal for getting know of the current situation : ). As wise, local definetely not go into this area unless those with fully loaded $ : ) especially those working abroad Penangites. so, in the other word, perception is the main factor and reflected to this mindset. but it doesn’t mean it is right to be abide by. my 2cents.

@kopi peng

Nope. Not good to be stagnant for a century. We need a balance. Right now, there’s no balance. The middle class and the young bright talents are being squeezed into a corner. State gov can’t create high quality jobs, that come with high pay to match to the high property prices today. If situation persist, we are going to loose more talents from Penang.

@Ranee

Have you seen the facts? And what facts have you seen?..:) Or is everything based on just your “belief”?…:)

@James

My dear friend. Eh…dunno where to start with you. Yes , I agree with you there’s boom bust cycle in property. But we’re not in the same wavelength. When people talk about MPV, you talk about a van. But anyways, long story short, state gov swap land for tunnel, our future generations will suffer and pay for it…:)

The second link, by all intent purposes, is a big failure. There is hardly any traffic on the bridge everyday. Most of the Bayan Lepas workers are still commuting via the first link during rush hours.

For most of the Georgetown commuters, they are using the first link as the second link is too far away. The tunnel will definitely help ease the traffic jams along the Jelutong Expressway.

vellu :
@kopi peng
Nope. Not good to be stagnant for a century. We need a balance. Right now, there’s no balance. The middle class and the young bright talents are being squeezed into a corner. State gov can’t create high quality jobs, that come with high pay to match to the high property prices today. If situation persist, we are going to loose more talents from Penang.
@Ranee
Have you seen the facts? And what facts have you seen?..:) Or is everything based on just your “belief”?…:)
@James
My dear friend. Eh…dunno where to start with you. Yes , I agree with you there’s boom bust cycle in property. But we’re not in the same wavelength. When people talk about MPV, you talk about a van. But anyways, long story short, state gov swap land for tunnel, our future generations will suffer and pay for it…:)

Some people don’t even have enough Grey Matter to formulate a comment that makes sense. Pityful.

@TunnelVision

Agree. And yet they charge higher toll for the 2nd link. Don’t know how these people think.

I think there’s going to be a vast difference in between Penang Island and the mainland site of Penang in future developments.

The island side tends to face (very) exorbitant price mainly due to the scarcity and we should be prepared for it. Those who’re perhaps, “less fortunate” should be prepared to stay in the mainland. The tunnel in a way would help “synchronized” the state as a whole and hence, it’s very much needed as time comes by.

Penang island in itself (inevitably)is going to be a high-end sort of “Manhattan” in future provided we plan it thoroughly and carefully. Just don’t grumble anyway, fellow Penangites!

@Manjusage

Would you share your thoughts with us on how the tunnel would synchronize the state?

@TunnelVsion

Agree with you. Hardly anyone using the 2ng link. Some more the state want to spend 800mil to upgrade the roads connecting to the bridge. Really dont know what their thinking.

@vellu
Taking about facts and reviews either from local or oversea on the project you can always search in the website, I afraid you don’t have time to read all.

Reports coverage on economy development, growing of vehicles, human population, traffic infrastructure and comparison to Singapore and Hong Kong on land size,total length of road versus number of registration of vehicle and so on.

And if you would see positively the chain reaction of this project will indirectly encourage more opportunities for investment and commerce in Penang and creating jobs and wealth for Penangites in the future.

And now we would like to listen to your version of believing.

To be honest, I personally don’t think that there is a need for a tunnel.
Why we need a tunnel? We have ferry and two bridges.
The main issue with transport system in penang is we need a really really GOOD public transport. A good punctual bus service and a monorail round the island. We can reduce the traffic congestion on the island and thus more people can live on the island. To be honest I used to go out with friend during public holiday, now I told my friends please don’t plan anything during public holiday , traffic is so terrible.

@kookoobird

Without the road upgrade, the 2nd bridge is as good as dead.

@Steve

Well, you may want to ask Seberang Prai folks on their thoughts of using ferry vs tunnel. And ask them about using public transport to commute to island on a daily basis.

@Steve

“Why we need a tunnel? We have ferry and two bridges.”

The second link is a waste. I use it weekly but I hardly see any long distance buses or freight lorries using it at all. That bridge was built for easing the logistic transportation from Bayan Lepas to the south region locations e.g. Taiping, Ipoh and KL. Unfortunately, it turns out not to be as the first link continue to have heavy traffic all day. I suppose the logistic companies are sticking to their original routes, hence, bypassing the second link .

The tunnel, on the other hand, will help easing the congestion from Georgetown to the first link. More importantly, Penangites will no longer be a hostage to Putra Jaya as we can boycott the first link until they reduce the toll to a fair value. Sadly, the construction costs of the first link had already been 100% recovered in early 2000s but TDM renewed it for his cronies.

“The main issue with transport system in penang is we need a really really GOOD public transport. A good punctual bus service and a monorail round the island.”

You are preaching to the choir. A huge project like the MRT is the responsibility of Putra Jaya. Penang was sidelined during the BN era because of our ball-less CM KSK. We should expect to be treated even worse during the PR era. The recently proposed Kulim International airport sounds illogical and ridiculous but it may become a reality if Penang remains silent on the project.

kopi peng :
@TunnelVision
Agree. And yet they charge higher toll for the 2nd link. Don’t know how these people think.

They are not stupid. In fact, they are well fed. Remember the word “concessionaire”. They are guaranteed the projected traffic in payments even if no one uses the bridge.

@kookoobird
What I actually meant of “synchronized” was： In getting more route ramifications would save time schedule and be more easy. One fine example as in Manhattan which has so many alternative bridges and tunnels and that’s one of their successful stories. In fact, Hong Kong is now planning for their 4th undersea tunnel as the situation there further warrants it.

As to the many suggestions of upgrading of public transport systems in Penang, I think a more thoroughly thought plan should do to check it. The many buses here we see nowadays are quite empty/half full or are mostly loaded with foreign workers ? I guess Penangites prefer to travel in own private transports or are “stuck-up” ?

@Manjusage

So in short, you’re saying if you have an additional linkage in Seberang Perai Utara, you will save some time lah. Of course lah, who doesn’t know your mother is a woman!

If I have a private jet, I will save time too, no need to go according to commercial flight schedule, just fly anywhere anytime. But the only issue is, should I bear with the inconvenience of traveling in commercial flights, OR should I ask all my children & all my grandchildren to collectively take up a 30mil loan to buy me a private jet..:)

@Manjusage

So in short, you’re saying if you have an additional linkage in Seberang Perai Utara, you will save some time lah. Of course lah, who doesn’t know your m0ther is a woman!

If I have a private jet, I will save time too, no need to go according to commercial flight schedule, just fly anywhere anytime. But the only issue is, should I bear with the inconvenience of traveling in commercial flights, OR should I ask all my children & all my grandchildren to collectively take up a 30mil loan to buy me a private jet..:)

I think it’s time you synchronize your brain to some basic intelligent logic.

There are many reports on the Penang under water tunnel which coverage on economy development, growing of vehicles, human population, traffic infrastructure and comparison to Singapore and Hong Kong on land size,total length of road versus number of registration of vehicle and so on.
And if you would see positively the chain reaction of this project will indirectly encourage more opportunities for investment and commerce in Penang and creating jobs and wealth for Penangites in the future.

And by the way my friend, don’t take the oil well in the south china sea for granted. It could well be running dry in 15-20 years time. If you don’t want to use that money now, other people will. You want to be hero, want to ask your children and grandchildren to finance your tunnel, go ahead. But think very carefully and rationally, you will realize you actually don’t need the tunnel. Someone is doing that because he wants to leave a legacy, by using your grandchildrens’ money. OK. *ZIP*

@Ranee

Why so stupid to benchmark against HK & Spore? Don’t you know HK is a living hell now, too congested, not enough hospital beds, not enough milk powder, air polluted, housing super expensive. Everyone is trying to get out of HK. And we go and benchmark against them? Wah lan eh! Super retard!

The rich in Hong Kong all have homes in Canada and Australia. They go back to Hong Kong occasionally just to make sure the mid-class & poor are on time with their rent payments. Hahaha!

@TVsion
The reason why I don’t think we need a tunnel is purely based on the fact that penang have less than 2 million population. We already have 2 bridges and a ferry service. Instead of building a tunnel, we should use the money for other things such as reduce traffic congestion on the island and develop more infrastructures on mainland so that people can and willing to live on mainland.
We should make good use of the second bridge and develope southern part of island as well as mainland like simpang ampat and batu kawan.

The project is not feasible… for now.

State government has no money, developer has no money. The developer want to use money generated from development to build the tunnel. City of dream is 1st development and probably heading to failure. Maybe they will use the delay strategy, 10 years from now, land value goes up, toll goes up, then they strike the gold pot. It’s Business… who cares about who or what?

2nd bridge is for future. Tunnel will ease 1st bridge burden.

@cameltoe
My mother company base in HK and Singapore. I used to travel to HK/Singapore almost every quarterly.
HK air quality is much better than Penang. Not enough milk powder? Not enough hospital bed? I think you are referring to China some rural area. Everyone is trying to get out of HK? Joker man.Base on your statement, I doubt you have been to HK before.May be you have seen too much HK movies.
The only correct statement came from you is “housing super expensive”.
Just spend some money and time on travelling oversea, that will broaden your mindset.

Why feasibility study is delayed? Use your brain…

@camaltoe
HK and Singapore are fully developed countries, Malaysia not.
Bench mark and make improvement against a more developed country is justified.
Further more HK and Penang are geographical similar, consists of an island and mainland.
In future, Penang will turn like what HK looks like now and Butterworth will like Kowloon.
Last but not least, HK is not so bad like what you said as I had many HK colleges, may be you have been brainstormed by too much HK movies.

The tunnel is for the convenient of people of Penang and will stir growth in the SPU. Please use brain to think..

@Ranee

HK more developed in what sense?

@WhatsTheHurry
Take note: I am first james instead of second james

At short, one policy or proposal will not please everyone. the result will prove everything when it comes to time.

@whatsTheHurry
In fact all aspects compared to Malaysia.
Here are just few:
According to HKTDC Research centre described HK as a regional centre:
A popular venue for hosting regional headquarters or representative offices
A leading telecommunications hub for the Asia-Pacific region
A premier offshore RMB centre
The world’s busiest airport for international cargoes
One of the world’s busiest container ports
The second largest private equity centre in Asia
The second largest stock market in Asia, the sixth largest in the world
The third largest foreign exchange market in Asia, the fifth in the world
Hong Kong’s economic freedom score of 89.3 keeps it atop the Index rankings for the 19th consecutive year, compared US rank 10, Japan rank 24 and Malaysia which rank 56.
The list will go on if you would include education,medication,communication, transportation, corruption, and many more.

@Ranee

Yup, you are probably right about those things you mentioned. And in spite of all those largest & second largest, they don’t have enough hospital beds, not enough milk powder for their babies, have to walk twice as fast as us so that their bosses won’t scold them for being late or less productive, can’t afford a decent home and can’t breath in fresh air !! Hahahaha!! What a mtfcking place!

No wonder they had half a million of their population joining the pro-democracy protest recently most probably they just realized they are living in modern day slavery!!

Haiya……build the tunnel build la. Argue all the time also no point.

If government want to implement GST next year….you guys tell me what can you do.?
Its a government prerogative la.
Of course there is negative and positive in every implementation….
ARgue whole nite also no conclusion. Let time tells…..

@micheal

That’s what they want you to believe, that everything is done deal, it’s too late to reverse. I think you owe it to your next generation to stop what’s wrong, before it is REALLY too late.

@cancun

Next generation, next generation, because of your uselessness now our generation suffer. The tunnel and new highway are good for many generation to come.

Our generation suffer? Would you elaborate in what way our generation is suffering now?

Oh my goodness! Hong Kong?!

Take note : World’s most liveable cities 2014…..”cities in the top 10 – seven of which are in Australia and Canada – tend to be mid-size, with relatively low population densities…….On the other hand, global business centres can be a victim of their own success…..New York, London, Paris and Tokyo are all prestigious hubs with a wealth of recreational activity, but all suffer from higher levels of crime, congestion and public transport problems than would be deemed comfortable…”

Oh boy, Hong Kong?? You must be out of your mind!

@cancun

Yes, we suffer. Property so expensive sure suffer lah! Only speculators & developers make money. The rest, work like shit, work OT, still cannot afford decent homes. Penang is no longer nice to stay. I think Kulim hi-tech park better, good jobs, reasonable homes.

So many people moaning about this tunnel, What is the agenda ? Penang 2nd bridge, Absolutely NO Whining People ? And now the tunnel has Full Chorus of Wailers. Please come out and state your real agenda ! Moaners.