Of late, I have heard a number of people expressing their unease about the “mess” in the Penang Botanic Gardens.
A RM5 million federal project to expand the Gardens is underway, but concern has been expressed that it has already deviated from the original plan drafted four years ago. Initial work has reportedly uprooted about 30 trees.
Kanda Kumar of the Malaysian Nature Society adds civil society’s voice to the disquiet over what is going on there.
Concern over slope stability at the site of the proposed Penang Botanic Gardens Visitors’ Centre
We, group of NGOs, stake holders and concerned citizens, are calling for this press conference as we are concerned over slope stability at the site of the proposed Penang Botanic Gardens Visitors’ Centre.
We want to highlight that the proposed Botanic Gardens Visitors’ Centre is being built on a site that had experienced land/rock slide long time ago and there were reported deaths during that incident. Not too long ago, small land slips have also occurred near this site. There seems to be no studies done on the stability of the hill slope of the proposed site. If indeed studies have been carried out, we urge the authorities to make their findings public and release the study.
Normally we would have expected the authority carrying the project to have geo-technical studies or commission such studies and take mitigating measures where necessary but lately we find that projects carried out at the Botanic Gardens are not being carried out according to decisions made during discussions of public/NGO participation and even what was disclosed during briefings does not translate to what was briefed during actual project implementation.
We have not been able to receive any straight answer from the authorities that geo-technical studies had been carried out on the hill slope of the proposed site and that the slope is stable and as such there is no danger. So it is very likely that the authorities may have not carried out geo-technical studies on the hill slope.
We have had enquiries from the public (seniors who remember the land slip) and the hawkers who have moved to the new hawkers site which is opposite the old land slide site on the safety aspect of the proposed visitors’ centre.
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Can LGE adminitration issues a stop work order now? I know LGE is pro-development CM, but please don’t close one eye when there is genuine concern raised by relevant stake holders.
Be warned, people power can turn against you. We already quietly cried behind Kg Buah Pala demolition.
We also saddened by:
1)land conversion mistake
2)50 millions white elephant project (another convension center)
3)refusal to re-zoning back land for failed PGCC project
4)unorganized state transport plan, no open for monorail project
5)chopping tree freely, lost of public space without proper reasoning
6)refusal to ban hill slope development
7)increasing density of property development without taking input with local residents
8)failed to enact Freedom of Information law (this is election promise by DAP)
We also uneased of no action/concern in Kg Tanjong Tokong imminent demolition and turning down billions of investment without fight for it first.
RM5 million federal project, what can the State gomen do ah?
“Many within the state agencies and government departments are Umno loyalists. They were in fact placed there and promoted because of their links with Umno. So, while Pakatan Rakyat may control the top, it will never be able to control the bottom. In short, the head will move in one direction and the body in the opposite direction.”
Then transfer those UMNO loyalists! Why still appoint them to head various agencies and departments? Just for example the president of MPPP… Why not appoint someone from Pakatan? Can’t trust your own people?
correction:
4)unorganized state transport plan, no open tender for monorail project
Yet another waste of public fund on an useless project. The Botanic Gardens is now a shadow of it’s former self.
No just this mess, you might recall how the small business there was forced to move out in a highly questionable manner.
I am very concerned that this Cheap Minister’s administration seemed to be not just pro-Big Businees but also one of low-IQ.
The Cheap Minister seems to be very much more focused on taking cheap potshots at the Fed govt on such populist issues such as RPGT and credit card charge rather than ensuring his own backyard is well run.
Recently I had a Belgian investor as a guest. He was interested in investing in Penang on some new, emerging techonologies and met up with several Penang folks including LGE. He’s knows my company in EU and decided to pay us a visit.
His comment was that the current bunch of Penang folks at InvestPenang seems to be cluess about how to attract FDI and to be lacking in experience, knowledge and the intellectual ability. He was particularly unimpressed with LGE. His exact comment was interesting but I don’t think Anil will allow me to reproduce it here (it wasn’t vulgar but rather very unflattering).
As such, he’s now thinking of investing in either Johor or Selangor or even Singapore.
That is what BN/Gerakan Federal Government is very good at . … Gerakan/umno has already give our taxpayer’s money directly into Federal Government Dept. No money money to Statement as they kiasu and kaise that PR Government gets the name. Look at NST shouting by Gerakan/UMNO grassroots that taxpayer’s money do not go into state but directly to Federal Government Dept. Go and read NST/Star paper. Like Gerakan K, they become billioaires and we die early
K or Gerakan K the one and the same.
The Botanical garden has already been a shadow of itself since the day of Zero KPI KTK. We are concerned with the small business as well as the big and the Botanical garden need to be upgraded to bring in more local as well as foreign tourists. It cannot be left just as like in the 70 or 80 in a dilapidated state for the tourist to see. An area under modernized condition has been built for the small traders there and many have agreed to move with the exception of 1 who have been instigated again by MIC. Now the offer has lapses and he will get nothing. So be it for listening to dude.
So the current bunch at Iinvest do not know how to attract investment, but the investment coming in is the best compared to the other state controlled by BN. Even Johore which is supposed to be the best and near Singapore lose out to Penang. Your mouth … with your fake Belgian investor.?? Many investor do want to come because they face the difficulty utilities approval such TNB which delay new electricity application. I am an electrical contractor and I know that.
Yang
I am not getting personal here, let’s stick to the point of debate.
FYI, LGE has been in power a lot longer than Najib has been the PM. If you are a real Penangite, you will understand that it is one of Penang’s most valuable and cherished possession. Penangites are justifiably proud of the BG. However, anybody (except DAP/PR cheerleaders) can see the drastic decline in the BG since LGE took over. In fact the same can be seen in almost all areas if you care to look.
I am for development but that has to be sustainable and also must be in alignment with the wish of people. Cutting down trees, opaque decision making, thuggish treatment of small business and a lack of transparency in selection of contractors can hardly be termed as good governance unless you live in North Korea, PRC or China.
I also resent the racial undertones in your comments about issue of the cafe owner. There is nothing wrong about MIC helping this man just like there is nothing wrong in DAP helping TBH’s family.
As for FDI, it is obvious that you don’t know what you are talking about as Penang is way off from Johor in terms of attracting investment. FYI, Penang is No 4 in Malaysia after Sarawak, Johor and Selangor. And they are falling further and further away. Almost all FDI Penang received since 0308 is due to KTK. That’s why I predict FDI for Penang in 2010 will be a disaster and will not able to maintain their No 4 position. That’s another reason LGE is trying to bring in Big Business to “develop” Penang.
DAP – Development Above People
Can someone explain the meaning of Federal project? Its functions and limits? Is Botanical Garden under the control of state or federal government? Who has the final say?
Limko
If this is a mess created by the Fed govt, I bet LGE would have made this loud and clear and the DAP’s cyberbrigade would have lambasted the Feds by now.
From my understanding, the money is from the Fed govt but the project (could be) managed by LGE’s Development Above People govt.
Satu Lagi Project Kerajaan DAP?
Finally Gerakan is talking some sense now, the only thing that I am concerned about is Gerakan sincere in his comments or merely taking pot shots????
CM/MB in any state can issue stop work order if there is imminent hazard to people/environment (whether it is state / federal project)
Yes they will do that. LGE are competent enough just as when the road collapsed at the Gurney Plaza area recently.
Gerakan K, : You spewed lies and half truth through your mouth…
1. There is no land conversion mistake. NST write lies and half truth. Most of the lands along the reclaimed area are still under 99 years lease with the exception of area around Queensmall that were converted due to KTK and the Federal government protection of a listed company.
2. Why worry about the convention center when it will be a privatize project. Check it out before you talk nonsense.
3. There is no priority to rezone land as it can be done as and when it is found necessary.
4. 18 years under KTK Gerakan made the traffic condition in Penang from bad to worse but LGE 1 1/2 years had improved tremendously. Ask any Penangite. Get your facts right, Monorail is under and funded by Federal government and it still hasn`t taken off yet. Dude.
5. 18 years under KTK Gerakan, trees has been chopped off recklessly when the botanical garden trees broke and killed someone that resulted in the government having to lose the case in court. So what is the difference now…
6. There is no reason to ban hill slope development as land is scare in Penang. You need to control as what LGE is doing now.
7. Again land is scare and the most expensive throughout Malaysia, thats why you need to increase the density otherwise your 700 sq ft apartment may cost more than 200,000 than the average 120-150 thousand now. Maybe you need a 600 sq ft 75,000 cramp flat with no amenities at all. Stupid. Open your eye and ears, the LGE government is going to draft out a plan by the end of this year for low & medium cost flat around 75,000 to be at around 850 sq ft. Currently an 850 sq ft condo cost more that 250,000. Check it out, dude.
8. Freedom of information law, you better ask your master Zero 1 Malaysia PM Najib. Zorro of the blog here has been called by the police to give a statement. Nerd.
9. Don`t talk about Tg Tokong or Buah Pala, you are not fit to comment at all. I and many in the blog have already given their view and explanation. The law has taken its course. There is no need to compensate Sugu and Steven the MIC & UMNO instigator any more and they can live under the bridge for all we or the Penangite care. Action will be taken by PKR for Tg Tokong but … please go and see your Zero 1Malaysia PM and ask him why he has not fulfilled his father wish that has been dragging for the past 37 years.
Just one to clarify one point: the Penang Municipal Council has allocated RM30 million for the new convention centre in its 2010 Budget. It is believed that a further RM20 million will be allocated in 2011.
Thanks for enlighten this PR cheerleader
I hope they will privatise than using govt fund
Yang..
I am sure your DAP masters will be mighty pleased with your untiring and unceasing efforts in defending … LGE’s Development Above People govt.
It is not the NST is twisting the facts but you are.
1. This point was already a common knowledge that even DAP lawyers agree that the Cheap Minister has made a blunder of massive proportion.
2. This has been proven a lie as the money is from the public coffers. Do not mislead us…
3. In re-zoning, the overriding concern is the public interest and NOT political expediency and/or the interests of the Big Business.
4. Well, please provide facts to support your preposterous claim that LGE has reduced the traffic congestion within 1.5 years. The fact is it has gotten a lot worse unless you are residing under the proverbial coconut shell. Also Monorail by the Fed has been shelved but this is a new initiative by LGE by-passing the Feds. Anil has pointed out very valid concerns on the transparency and the viability of this highly dubious technology by some shaddy characters.
5. We voted for LGE to improve things. If I wanted things to remain status quo, I would have voted for KTK.
6. Don’t you realise that DAP was dead-set against hill slope development before but now have changed their tune 180 degrees.
7. Is this a joke ? If you want affordable housing then build low and medium cost houses in less developed areas to keep the prices and density low. And certainly not allow luxury condos and bungalows in prime areas like Tanjung Tokong,etc.
8. FIA : Isn’t this one of the very first thing that LGE promised to implement once he sworn in as the CM ? Don’t keep hide under the skirt of the Feds. If LGE cannot function due to the limitation of the Fed law, then please resign and allow Dr Mansor to take over as the CM.
9. That Kg Pala is an episode of a grave injustice and complete betrayal of the people’s trust is known to all but the hard core DAP/PKR cybertroopers.
K
I am never a DAP man but I do not like Gerakan or KTK either which have been the lame duck of UMNO and have see the excesses of UMNO over KTK and Gerakan over the past 18 years. Ahmad Said and UMNO has almost overall control over the MPPP and he even has the audacity to sit in the meeting even though he is not a member. By being in the meeting he could have insight on development that are taking place….
Some example such as the bridge from Jalan Rawang to Lorong Kulit that were built and destroyed and rebuilt at a cost of 100,000 x 2 = 200,000 or the wastage of the hibiscus flower at the Tunku Kudin roundabout. These are small compared to some of the housing development that were given to UMNO cronies` that they did not build but were developed by listed company and they are all on government land with 99 years lease. These are just a few and now to rebut your accusation………..
1. Land conversion mistake, please be specific otherwise don`t just blabber. Let me be more specific. The land from around the Queensmall area was an effort by the previous government to revive the project after it was abandoned. In that process, Anson a public listed company sold off the project to another company and was delisted and the directors save from bankruptcy. LGE has no choice but to follow up on the land conversion.
2. Convention center is good for the international image of Penang and I hope that it could be privatized.
3. This I do not want to argue with you, but rezoning can be done and when it is suitable. Now they have more priority thing to do.
4. Penang has an unorganized transport plan since the days of KTK. I could vouch that the present traffic condition has definitely improve although not as much as we wanted. But then LGE is now trying to revive the BORR and PORR project that will definitely improve transportation but we do not want to be like KTK that want to award it to an UMNO crony company that has only a 50,000 capital to take up a 1.6 billions project. So much so for good governance by KTK.
5. As I have mentioned earlier, chopping of trees has been done by KTK since the day someone was killed at the Botanical garden. In development, chopping of trees is unavoidable and the Council has specified that all trees chopped must be replanted by 2 or 3 times in any project approved. That’s should not be an issue anymore Certainly LGE and the PR government did look into the environmental issue when they stop the Batu Gantong race course project although it was in the planning stage by KTK.
6. Refer my explanation to Andrew Aeria at Anil Tg Bungah hill slope
7. Increasing land density, your explanation is flimsy. You should have ask the Kg Pala resident to move to some remote area in the mainland. There they could definitely get a bigger land but not in Penang Island as even in remote Penang land is very much more expensive than the whole of Malaysia.
8. Freedom of Information law. Tell that to Najib the master of Zero 1 Malaysia. You should know that this is federal law and PR is trying their best on this matter. Don`t blame it on LGE or PR.
9. KBPala. This I do want to argue with you anymore. My stand is very clear as being repeated in every blog. Just to remind you again. The land was sold of by KTK and LGE just handle the end process. The court and law has taken its due process and the KBP resident are squatters in the eyes of the law. The compensation given is the best that has been offered. Betrayer is you and the Penang people will definitely go against them if they continue with their antic.
LGE, you got to take notice of the displeasures voiced by those concerned, excluding the comments by the K or Gerakan K. He is always spewing lies and speaking half-truths. We can disregard his comments, as it is irrelevant, but from other fair minded comments, you got to sit up and take notice and to take actions and fast!
The state of the Botanical Gardens cannot be compromised at any costs! It is the pride of Penangnites and generations of Penangnites had enjoyed the beautiful sceneries and had lots of memories of this beautiful and historical place.
Do not allow complacency to creep into the PR Government, and do not push your luck too far! There are certain things that are “not negotiable” as far as Penangnites are concerned. The blunder by your people at Esplanade, had hardly died down and if there is another blunder in the Botanical Gardens, I can assure you, you will see your seats halved in the next GE.
While we appreciate that it is harder to be the Government and much easier to be in the opposition, you need to buck up and to pay special attentions to the environments. You cannot continue to allow blatant disregard of the wishes of the people of Penang by indiscriminately chopping down our trees! Trees are our prized possessions. You need to plant five for every tree you chopped down! These greeneries give humans, peace of mind and humans especially Penangnites, would love to enjoy the ambience of nature! In times of economic hardship and ever growing pressures of everyday life, these greens provides solace. Look at the Singapore Government, inview of the hardship faced by the people, they continued to vote PAP, and the secret is the cleanliness and the greeneries! These greeneries and the shades it provides, cools down, a person, and make them feel safe and calm.
You can disregard this comment and LOL at your own peril, but, we in Penang, are totally up in arms if our greens continue to diminish under your Government! If at all this comment is published and you happen to read it, rush to the Botanical Gardens as soon as you are available and investigate the damage! Do not allow this matter to deteriorate and make public sentiments rise against you. Remember, and please do, we want more greens planted in the island, at whatever cost! Remember to plant, plant and plant more greens for the people of Penang and make Penang a more comfortable place to live in. At least, laymen like us can see immediate changes under your Government, if more efforts are taken to make Penang a more livable place, and with planting more greens the results are immediate for everyone to see. The end results in seeing more green, more life in our environment is happiness to all and more votes for the PR. The election is coming real soon with the look of things, especially with the Najib’s generosity but Tony Pua had done you a great favour by asking where had the 30 billion under the first economic stimulus gone too.
Perhaps, Gerakan K knows abit and can intimate his views? Not lies and half truths please?
Bro
Which of my argument are lies and half-truths ? Care to elaborate ?
Another proof of LGE inability to resist DEVELOPMENT. It is not that LGE ca’t afford to spend RM5million or RM10million. He just has no idea what to offer to Penangites. Anything under the name of DEVELOPMENT sound good to him. He will allow any abuse to go on without knowing what to do. This is just another example of his Callous Abusive Thoughtless administration. The very basic thing that LGE should do is to implement the MSMA((Manual Saliran Mesra Alam Malaysia) in order to curb any abusive development. Why LGE just like his BN counter part still refuse to implement that already gazetted MSMA?
Penangnites
PENANG is being RAPED…! PENANGNITES BEING SODOMISED…!
The Developers in Penang is having a gala time with LGE… bcos whichever projects approved conditionaly by KTK (seem to be) now proceeding smoothly on the FAST TRACK under LGE ….
The Common Denominator between the previous KTK Govt n LGE Govt is the Developers who seemed to be working well with both the Federal BN Government and LGE Govt.
Do we see a Coalition DAP/BN Govt with the help of Developers $$$$$???
The Penangnites is being taken for a ride by LGE Govt with false election promises.
LGE is NOT a PENANGNITE,,and he (does not seem to be) bothered about the environmental and heritage aspect of Penang..
he is only thinking about $$$…
rgds
No sacarsm here. The pro Gerakan commentators are playing really good opposition role here, stimulating debates and information flow. Had this forum been the Penang state legislature, I’m sure Penang will become a shining advanced state in just one decade.