Penang govt must probe PGCC/Batu Kawan deals
Reading theSun’s interview with the Penang Chief Minister, I was puzzled about one thing: why can’t the state government initiate its own comprehensive probe of the PGCC or call for an independent inquiry - and make public the outcome?
Can’t they see for themselves what happened? Must they wait for evidence of mala fide to be supplied by the public, who do not have access to all the key players and documents in the deals?
In the case of the PGCC, there are clearly many serious questions about how Abad Naluri, which has strong political connections, managed to get hold of over 1,000 acres of prime land in Batu Kawan on the mainland, just next to the site of the proposed second Penang bridge.
Why not probe that?
And how did Abad Naluri, with its strong political connections, win the bid for the Turf Club land in 2002 when at that time, they didn’t even own the Batu Kawan land on which they were supposed to build a new racecourse? Who in the PDC gave them a “letter of support” for the Batu Kawan land when they were bidding for the Turf Club land - well before they actually entered into a principal agreement with the PDC to acquire the Batu Kawan land in 2004? The PDC comes under the Penang state government, so surely the Penang state government can tell us on what basis the PDC entered into an agreement to sell over 1,000 acres of land in Batu Kawan to one politically well-connected company, Abad Naluri. Why has there been nothing but silence on this? Where is CAT when you really need it?
How is the public supposed to supply evidence when the Batu Kawan deal was done with the PDC? Shouldn’t the PDC top management (and the previous state government) be asked some hard questions - and the answers be made public?
The reason this is important is that the rezoning of the Turf Club land (from recreational to new development) is closely tied to these deals. So the rezoning could be declared null and void if the probe on the land deals reveals any irregularities. It is therefore disappointing to note instead that the state government is leaving the door open for future development plans for the Turf Club land to be submitted when the controversy surrounding the deals has not been resolved.
The question of the Penang government being hit by a claim for compensation does not arise as it would be an investigation to get to the root of the matter. So don’t use that as an excuse not to initiate an in-depth probe on the PGCC - and to reveal the findings to the public. The Penang public deserve better.
Interview in theSun today with Chief Minister:
A number of giant projects like Gurney Paragon and Times Square were approved by the previous government, but some NGOs strongly object to these, citing irregularities in the approval process. You have said you sympathise but your hands are tied. How do you reconcile these concerns with your apparent helplessness to review the projects?
First, when you talk about irregularities, the Hunza project (Gurney Paragon), they (complainants) had sent their submissions to the Appeals Board. But unfortunately, they withdrew their complaint. So no irregularities are proven. They also did not lodge a police report. When I reviewed the files, I asked, were there any irregularities? Nothing. Were there any police reports lodged? Nothing.
Those who made the complaints withdrew their complaints. I can only review the project when there is evidence of mala fide. But how do I prove mala fide when the complainant withdrew his submissions on his own accord?
I am sure you are going to ask about PGCC (Penang Global City Centre), the zoning thing (the zone was changed from “recreational and open space” to “new development” by the BN government). If you cannot prove mala fide and you make decisions like that (to re-convert zoning), there is going to be a huge cost involved. Under the law, when you talk about expectation of profit, to pay expectation of profit like that is huge.
For the Hunza project, the expectation of profit will run into tens, if not hundreds, of millions of ringgit. Do you want to put that at risk?
When you make decisions, you are also bound by legal questions, the legal framework that we operate under. You want to review a project? Want to show evidence of mala fide? Good. Show it to me.
But if you can’t and I just listen to you, who is going to bear the cost eventually? The people of Penang! And I think I have a responsibility to the people of Penang.
…
When Penangites heard that the Turf Club land was going to be developed, there was a major ruckus. Are there other plans, or are you aware of other plans to develop Penang Hill?
Except for the cable car, no. We will assess any development plan on its merits. I don’t want to give the impression that I reject any development outright. I say there are no plans at the moment. But I am willing to hear views and suggestions.
If there are any sustainable eco-development (ideas), we are willing to listen. I don’t want to close the door. We are open, we will listen to your views. Even though I may not agree with your views, I am still willing to listen.
Same thing when you talk about PGCC. They have not really sent in their plans. I will not say “Oh, I reject you outright. So you don’t even have to bother to submit”. No, I did not say that. You submit and let us decide, approve and vet it on its merits.
- “Dead” PGCC needs post-mortem; and Batu Kawan?
- How to stop any development of Penang Turf Club for now
- How did Abad Naluri get over 1,000 acres of Batu Kawan land?
- Open letter to Guan Eng, Tsu Koon ahead of ‘live’ debate
- Penang Turf Club: Here come the vultures
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Are you smelling something here anil maybe they have their reasons. Anyway i believe the pg govt won’t do things which are of no benifit to the people of pg and then again there’s you to inform us of any wrongdoing.
Dear Anil
It’s that common failure again. The failure to think out of the box.
The Police nowadays claim they cannot act because there is no complaint or citizens’ report, failing to realise ther is no such legal requirement where preventive action has to be taken.
In the same way, the new Govt seems to to be waiting for the s..t to hit the fan before springing into action, by which time the horses at PGCC would have bolted.
I am not a Penangite, but the involvement of one Dato… in the PGCC saga worries me. many may not be appear, bu his involvement in a proposed take-over of Magnum and MPHB Group and appointment to its Boards circa 2000, makes ‘interesting’ reading. Not to mention his earlier links to Berjaya Group.
In reality, there is nothing to stop LGE from suspending the whole project and having a State-sponsored public inquiry to set matters atraight. One of our retired Judges like Justice Aidid or M.Shanker can head it.
It is a question of will-power and political courage.
As the Colombians say, “Does he have the cojones for it?”
Hi everyone,
The Pg State Govt. should investigate this extract and possibly find a way to reclassify the Turf Club land to its original status without causing any loss to the Govt and Penangites:
“And how did Abad Naluri, with its strong political connections, win the bid for the Turf Club land in 2002 when at that time, they didn’t even own the Batu Kawan land on which they were supposed to build a new racecourse. Who in the PDC gave them a “letter of support” for the Batu Kawan land when they were bidding for the Turf Club land - well before they actually entered into a principal agreement with the PDC to acquire the Batu Kawan land in 2004? The PDC comes under the Penang state government, so surely the Penang state government can tell us on what basis the PDC entered into an agreement to sell over 1,000 acres of land in Batu Kawan to one politically well-connected company, Abad Naluri. Why has there been nothing but silence on this? Where is the CAT?”
The ‘letter of support’ illegally given, in the sense that Abad Naluri had not even acquired the Batu Kawan Land yet. If so, Abad Naluri had no legal standing to use it to bid for the Turf Club land in 2002. This issue should also be studied by the Turf Club members on possible negligence of their Management Committee.
Anil,
A curious question. I recalled that the earlier planned second bridge used to be located at northern side of the Penang Island with much shorter length (Gurney area). Why was it shifted to souhtern side of Island with much longer length.
Also, at southern side, that makes it real close to the first bridge.
Woody
I sometimes have my doubts about Guan Eng. It’s not that we’re trying to make life difficult for him but having been a victim of injustice himself, he should know the effectiveness of lodging police reports.
Like you say, Anil, if there’s a will, there’s a way. The only possible reasoning I can come up with is political manouevering, i.e. not to be seen as being too vindictive by BN component party members and thereby affording them a chance to switch sides.
Be that as it may, the only positive conclusion one can draw from this is perhaps PKR is willing to forgo a few battles in exchange for winning the war.
As Anwar put it at the Stadium, those who voted BN earlier are forgiven. Not that I entirely agree with that, but we’ve seen worse tactics employed by the other side.
Hello brother, a fantastic article here.
That’s the problem if you have a Malacca belacan heading the Pg state. This Malacca … obviously doesn’t know the head and tail of Penang’s tricks by the previous… regime.
That’s why we have this Malacca … hiring his preceding enemy to head investment dealings in Pg.
How is Pg going to recover all these $$$$ (lost) by the previous regime if you have a previous (rep from that regime) heading (a key portfolio in) the present Pg state government?
This is a problem of having sky paratroopers from other states taking charge of Pg. This is a perennial problem of the outdated rocket which is manned by parochial …. from Malacca.
Boot the Malacca … back to Malacca. They might be (if lucky) more knowledgeable to the … problems there in Malacca.
…
As they say, it is easy to be in the opposition than to be in the government. Nevertheless, lets give YAB Guan Eng some time. I mean, we dont really know the going-ons inside. Maybe Guan Eng has other priorities. I would put it this way, it is difficult for YAB Guan Eng (and YAB MB of Selangor) to go forward when at the same time he is trying to unravel the relics of the past. I understand the “need” to correct the “anomalies of the past” (if youd like it called that way) but the question is, is this a priority? Cant these issues take a back seat for awhile given the limited resource available in the state? Dont you think that the state government should instead focus on implementing programmes that would alleviate the hardship of the people, in particular, the poor ones? After all, 100 days isnt long enough.
Hi Anil,
If PTC IS allowed to be developed, you can reat assured that DAP and PR will not get our votes and friends.
Lat election, we managed to cvonvice so many BN sympathisers to vote PR and DAP in the understanding that they would be transparent and dtop the PGGCC. I bet that if PTC is developed, DAP and PR would not see the daylight of itself in Penang anymore.
Lim Guan Eng has to uncover the dubious dealings involved if this project and spare no efforts in stopping it!!!
WE ARE WAITING!!!
If anything has been learnt from the Anwar debacle, then it is this: a confrontational stance will not produce the desired results. Roll over and play dead (or sleepy eyed) seems to be a better alternative.
How do you deal with the rantings of a schizophrenic? You simply ignore them.
I doubt PKR has gotten this far by playing by the rules set by Goliath.
dear anil,
the 100 days of LGE adminstration is over. In today’s (22 jun) Sunday Star, he has even moved into the Official Residence after discovering there is no such RM300K roof leak to repair. In the same token, LGE Adminstration has the same duty of care to the voters to probe this case with the same intensity of the ‘roof leak” over his head.
Anil,
While being more than willing to give LGE and his PR colleagues some breathing space to do their work, bearing in mind that they have first to learn how to act and thing as the ruling government and are no longer the opposition and also that the entire PR Govt. are novices to a very responsible job, I am one who feels that the PR Govt does not and cannot have the pleasure of giving ‘inexperience’ as a reason for not doing their job well.
Guys you have spent the last (nearly 50 years??) criticizing the BN Government. Now that you are sitting on the High Chair, you must walk the talk.
That the PORR, 2nd Bridge, PGCC programs are the creation of the previous government which had decided on these programs - not really to serve the needs of the Penangites but more to fill their own pockets, there can be no doubt. LGE and PR must understand that their ’sudden’ elevation to be the ruling government in Penang is not an accident but that they were given the votes of all Penangites (including as we well know, the votes of many former BN and UMNO supporters because we are all sick of the BN greed. Thus LGE must be confident enough and willing enough to end any further debate on whether these projects should even be considered. The fact that there are some ’suspicious’ deals. manouverings or whatever which smell of the worst of Penang Blachan, the CM should have no qualms of ensuring that these suspicious deals be investigated thoroughly. Can’t depend on the Police and the ACA? Look for external investigators then. When enough conclusive evidence is found, hand over the results of the investigation to the Police and ACA publicly so that the CAT that LGE talks about can be seen by Penangites and Malaysians. Be assured that the people will always support the government who will carry out their duties in an Open and legal manner. Fail us and the government will be rejected the next time we go to the polls.