We refer to the letter, DAP's U-turn on PORR by SM Mohammad Idris. Whilst Mohd Idris has the right to criticise the Penang state government, he should rely on facts and not hearsay, substantiated reports and not superficial conclusions.

One, the Penang state government has not decided to proceed with PORR as claimed. The state government is still awaiting feedback and more information from the federal government and its reported appointment of a private company, Daya Aliran Inovasi Sdn Bhd to undertake the project, estimated at between 1.5 billion to RM2 billion.

Two, the state government has never said that it would not seek public consultation. Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng has reaffirmed that public consultation would still continue, especially after any new information is given by the federal government. There is no truth whatsoever in Mohd Idris' contention that civil society is not even being given an opportunity to raise their concerns.

A case in point is the RM60 million funicular train project on Penang Hill where the state government introduced and initiated civil society into consultation and discussion at the earliest stage.

Public transportation is a critical issue in Penang and we welcome input from civil society, including Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM). And we also welcome any criticism for any shortcomings out of our desire to correct and improve good governance in accordance with the principles of competency, accountability and transparency (CAT).

However we hold our critics to the same standards of CAT and adherence to correct facts and figures as demanded of the Penang CAT government.

Cheong Yin Fan is press secretary to the Penang chief minister.