A developer is threatening to sue the Penang state government for tens of millions of ringgit.
The developer is one of four that was compelled to scale down its project to abide by Unesco guidelines for the preservation of George Town’s world heritage site listing.
Instead of timidly conceding the possibility of paying compensation (as it has in the past, thus possibly having the opposite effect of emboldening developers to sue the government), the Penang state government should publicly name the developer concerned and challenge it all the way.
A few Penangites already know who the developer is, but I will leave it to the Penang state government to come out and formally identify the developer.
I don’t think the people of Penang – and even those outside – are going to be impressed with the developer’s move for it is public money that is at stake.
I am sure the state government will receive the full support of fair-minded people and civil society groups alike if it were to contest the developer’s action. I am sure the public will rally behind the government in this instance if it takes a principled stand. After all, the Penang state government was complying with Unesco guidelines on a matter of public interest (preservation of George Town’s world heritage status).
So could we have the name of the developer in the interests of transparency and then let’s see what the public thinks of the developer’s move.
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Daniel,
Penang got to follow the footstep of Singapore. Anyway, that’s what has envisioned by the Great Koh Tsu Koon. Penang is already over developed before LGE has taken over. Now, property prices have been skyrocketted everywhere even in the rural place that I am residing……
Settle the stomach problem first before talking about lofty things
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The Developer should sue the penang state Government !
It’s a breach of contract ; first you grant the permission to built and after start building till 4 storeys suddenly you turn around and cannot cos some “mat salleh” say no ! What kind of government does that !; it will certainly scare off potential investor to Penang cos the present state government cant stand by their own decision? And wha has UNESCO listing done for Penang? Do UNESCO gives fund; nothing at all! Why listing??? After all what we can see now ismore celebrations only, no changes to the inner city in terms of cleanniness, infrastructure, landscaping,transportation etc. Every day I find leaflets printed by Penang State Government condemning past government leaders, anti bersih rally by other groups etc; it’s a waste of taxpayers money ! Just keep quiet and govern Penang cos 3 years already nothing is happenning in Penang !
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