The Ghost of Penang Future: State govt should establish “green” credentials fast

 Civil society, Environment  10 Responses »
May 262008
 
The Ghost of Penang Future: State govt should establish "green" credentials fast

Cover-up job: The rape of hill-slopes continues (Photo credit: Rhino) Last Friday, another mud slide struck Penang on the stretch of road between Tanjong Bunga and Batu Ferringhi. It was not surprising given the sort of hill-slope development taking place. This one occurred in the vicinity of the Ivory building project. You can see from this picture the sort of hill-slope development taking place in the northern part of the island. They must be crazy if they believe those plastic sheets will stop erosion. In the event, tractors had to be called in to clear the mud from the road. And traffic was backed up for quite a bit. Here’s what it looked like even after the mud had been cleared from the road. Penang turning into one huge parking lot (Photo credit: Rhino) Not much fun for all those motorists caught in the jam. Yesterday, it rained again, and [Read more]

Zaid Ibrahim to address media freedom activists

 Civil society, Democracy, Human rights, Media  10 Responses »
May 252008
 
Zaid Ibrahim to address media freedom activists

On Sunday, 1 June, journalists and concerned citizens are planning to taking a symbolic Walk at Dataran Merdeka to promote the cause of media freedom. The organisers stress that it is not a public gathering but a walk. They expect Zaid Ibrahim to deliver a keynote address. According to the organisers, Zaid has made two requests – that journalists turn up in large numbers and that this programme calls for ethics and accountability as much as it calls for freedom. The event is being organised by Benar and the Centre for Independent Journalism. It should be interesting! For more info, click here.

Penang Turf Club members sue committee over sale of land

 Accountability, Development issues, Malaysian finance/business  11 Responses »
May 242008
 

Two Penang Turf Club members, Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping and Dato’ Lee Ah Hoe, on behalf of the other members, are suing the Club’s 12-person committee for substantial damages over various issues pertaining to the sale of the Batu Gantong land. The civil suit summons comes up to over 30 pages so I will spare you the detailed grievances. Basically, they are arguing that the three agreements signed with Abad Naluri were not in the best interests of the Club and its members. The three agreements are the: Preliminary Agreement dated 21 March 2003; Restructured Agreement dated 12 May 2004; Supplemental Agreement dated 1 April 2008. In particular, they argue that the first two agreements had already lapsed and the Committee should not have entered into the Supplemental Agreement to try and revive the earlier agreements – especially when the value of the land had soared to RM2 billion [Read more]

Singapore gets the Island; Malaysia on the Rocks

 Asean, Politics  20 Responses »
May 232008
 

Well, there you have it. The ICJ has declared that the jurisdiction of Pedra Branca falls to Singapore by a 12-4 majority. The other territory – Middle Rocks – falls to Malaysia by a 15-1 majority. A glum-looking RTM presentator says Malaysia has “kehilangan kedaulatan over Pulau Batu Puteh” – and then goes on to commend the Malaysian legal team for its efforts. Making the best of the situation, Rais Yatim says it is a “win-win outcome”. He adds that the fate of South Ledge is still to be determined based on various technical aspects. Perhaps now we can focus on eradicating injustices and poverty within Malaysia?

Penang Turf Club member to move for EGM to reclassify land back to “recreational” status

 Accountability, Development issues, Environment, Malaysian finance/business, People's Park/PGCC  9 Responses »
May 222008
 
Penang Turf Club member to move for EGM to reclassify land back to "recreational" status

In a surprise development, a prominent Penang Turf Club member, Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping, said he will, together with a group of members, “requisite for for an EGM to be convened as soon as possible to pass a resolution mandating the Turf Club committee to take immediate steps to submit application to the authorities to reclassify the racecourse back to its original open space for sports and recreational land use”. This is to ensure once and for all that the racecourse shall forever be preserved as a green lung for the Penang people, he said in a press statement today. If his call is heeded, it could present a way out of the Penang state government’s current predicament. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had indicated that the state government was concerned that if it initiated a move to reclassify the land back to recreational status, it could expose the [Read more]

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