The proposed cable car from Penang Hill to Botanical Gardens will have far-reaching consequences on the future of the Gardens, said Penang Gerakan vice-chairman Teng Chang Yeow.

He said any proposal for such a huge project must take into account the environmental impact, the Gardens as a botanic centre and traffic situation, especially when there is only one road leading to the Gardens.

Thus, Teng said in a statement that he was concerned with the silence of the non-governmental organisations (NGOs), particularly Friends of Penang Botanical Gardens and Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), Penang branch, on the proposed project as outlined in the Penang Yang di-Pertua Negri’s speech at the recent Penang State Legislative Assembly.

Teng, who is a former State Executive Councillor in charge of tourism, said the Yang di-Pertua Negri’s speech represented the policy of the government of the day.

The NGOs, he said, had been very concerned and vocal in the past on the Gardens’ development.

They would make demands to compel the State Government to release details before tendering any development projects for the Gardens.

“They even conducted signature campaign against tarring of road curbs in the Gardens but they are now keeping silent on a serious encroachment of the Gardens which is so dear to the heart of people of Penang,” said Teng.

He said the previous state administration had gazetted 210 hectares of land in addition to the existing garden which is 32 hectares, after a long process of land swapping with various state and federal agencies.

“The gazetted portion of the land includes the 10 acres quarry recreation park which hosted the World Music Festival in 2007 and 2008. The extra land for the Gardens was for the future expansion.”

“The proposed cable car would have vast implications on the future of the Gardens as a botanic centre as envisaged by reports commissioned by the previous administration.”

“Any proposal for such a huge project must take into account the traffic situation as there is only one road leading to the Gardens. So far, nothing has been released by the State government on the proposed project except for a public tender,” said Teng.