Media statement by Penang Chief Minister's Office in Komtar, George Town on Sunday, 12^th September 2010:

Making public the final investigation on fire of TNB power cables on Penang Bridge, TNB must ensure no such fires repeated in future and a full review with all relevant agencies on how to reduce massive traffic jams when such contingencies arises

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who is overseas in China, is deeply concerned about the incident on the Penang Bridge, where three power cables under the Bridge caught fire on 10.40 am yesterday, causing massive traffic jams on both sides of the bridge that stretched several kilometers.

Lim is appreciative of the efforts of State Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng in taking charge to restore the situation and the ability of TNB to switch to an alternative power source to restore power supply within five minutes.

Apart from TNB and Lim, Penang State EXCO members Phee Boon Poh has been in contact with the Chief Minister. Penang Chief Police Office CPO of Penang DCP Dato Wira Ayub Yaakob has also contacted the Chief Minister to assure him that the cause of the fire was not due to any other causes but suspected overheating of the TNB power cable.

The Penang State government will ask that the investigation of TNB power cables on Penang Bridge that caught fire be made public, TNB must ensure no such fires are repeated in future and a full review with all relevant agencies on how to reduce massive traffic jams when such contingencies arises.

* Cheong Yin Fan, Press Secretary to the Penang Chief Minister