Gerakan has come out strongly against the state Umno's call for mega projects in Penang to be cancelled.

Party acting president and former Penang chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said infrastructure projects promised by the federal government should continue for the benefit of the people.

Citing the second Penang Bridge, Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR), Monorail and public transport system, expansion of the airport and port as example, Koh said:

"These infrastructure projects are crucial for the future economy and quality of life for Penang and its neighbouring states,” he said. "Therefore, Gerakan appeals to the federal government to continue and to expedite the implementation of these projects."

Koh made it clear that the party was issuing the statement in response to Umno Penang's call to scrap the projects.
The successful implementation of the projects would ensure that Penang will continue to grow as the hub for the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) and Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT).
On Thursday, Penang Umno held an emergency meeting and later declared that the party would press the prime minister to stop the implementation of all mega projects, including those planned under the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER). State Umno secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim said the projects should be cancelled as the people had rejected the Barisan Nasional government.

Koh advised DAP leaders in the Penang state government not to engage in political rhetoric and instead adopt a constructive and positive approach to sustain inter-ethnic harmony and social stability.

DAP leaders must also take steps to provide a conducive environment to ensure the smooth implementation of all projects for the continued economic development in Penang.