Here’s why Penang should ban hill-slope development

These pictures are of the Beverly Hills project, developed by Taman Ratu, and of the Surin Apartments project, developed by Bolton Bhd – all in Tanjung Bunga, the constituency of former Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon

Clearly, there is a need to check if the developers have complied with the conditions in the development order and to see if the retention ponds are functioning properly. If these have been flouted, the MPPP has to issue a stop-work order.

This is what Taman Ratu says about itself and its Beverly Hills project:

Welcome to Beverly Hills 11200
Your very own residential sanctuary

Every carefully considered acquisition of an elite Beverly Hills Property speaks volumes of its proprietor. With its Mediterranean inspired resort-like architecture and landscaped surroundings, Beverly Hills 11200 is a retreat as much as it is a showpiece featuring impeccable design and development credentials.

Captivating

no single word can more appropriately describe the effervescence of our latest collection of Exclusive Residences

Nestled between a rich backdrop of Hill and Sea, our selection of distinctively tailored private residences caters towards the most discerning of tastes

Taman Ratu Sdn. Bhd. is a property developer with years of experience in Malaysia, with a perfect track record in sales, dedicated to enhance the living standards.

Building on the success of The Marina Tower, Twin Towers, Coastal Towers, and The Straits Regency, as the ultimate statement in stylish luxury living with the grand seaview of Ratu Mutiara, Tanjung Bungah, Penang.

The Pakatan state government must ban all hill-slope development from now on. It cannot afford to adopt a “business friendly” stance with such developers – not at the expense of residents and their surrounding environment. This is a clear-cut case of “business friendly” policies running counter to the people’s interest.

A clearly upset Lim sent in this comment:

Yes, all hill development should stop right now itself. The state government should not allow the Surin project or any other projects on hill slopes to be developed. This will only lead to the destruction of Penang. I appeal to PKR, don’t continue to allow what BN has allowed.

I am a victim of these two recent floods, one in July and this recent one. You cannot imagine my suffering and stress.

Han2 mourns the Penang he has lost and holds Koh Tsu Koon responsible:

I just moved back from KL to my own house in Batu Ferringhi and each time I pass those hill slope development projects, I can only think of human greed and the stupidity of the previous state government for approving these projects. I do not know what to make of these projects but the muddy sea water tells me all is not right. When I see Koh Tsu Koon in person, I will insist he explains his decisions to me to my satisfaction before I let him go. He ruined my Penang.

More pictures inside

As for the Surin project, it is being developed by GLM Property Development Sdn Bhd, which is 100 per cent owned by Bolton Bhd. Here is some information from Bolton’s 2008 Annual Report. Notice the emphasis on speed:

Surin, Penang

Surin development was soft-launched within three months of completion of the purchase of the land. The speed in which we turnaround a raw piece of land into a development project is a critical factor in our investment decision as a short lead time eliminates many project risks.

Since its initial soft-launch in November 2007, Surin has registered encouraging sales of more than 65% of the 198 units of the first tower on offer. Contribution to the Group’s revenue will be significant in the next two financial years.

Substantial shareholders of Bolton Bhd:

No. Name of Substantial Shareholders Direct Interest %* Indirect Interest %*
1. Forum Equity Sdn. Bhd. 67,993,410 22.25 – –
2. Gajahrimau Capital Sdn. Bhd. 46,500,000 15.22 – –
3. Dubai Investment Group Limited 28,500,000 9.33 – –
4. Lim Yen Haat 10,943,383 3.58 5,133,926(1) 1.68
5. Chin Jit Pyng 9,571,606 3.13 8,000,000(2) 2.62
6. Lim Hooi Teik 8,725,900 2.86 9,053,400(3) 2.96
7. Dato’ Mohamed Azman bin Yahya 3,500,000 1.15 46,500,000(4) 15.22
8. Hopaco Properties Limited – – 67,993,410(5) 22.25
9. Lee Choong Lim @ Lee Tin Fook – – 67,993,410(6) 22.25

One irate resident said he tried to contact Bolton using the email address on their webpage to inform them that their project is causing environmental damage and financial loss to nearby residents:

My post to Bolton failed. This Bursa Malaysia company does not give a damn and is uninterested to receive postings from the public despite advertising their address in their corporate webpage.

On Mon, 9/8/08, postmaster@bolton.com.my <postmaster@bolton.com.my> wrote:
From: postmaster@bolton.com.my <postmaster@bolton.com.my>
Subject: Delivery Status Notification (Failure)
…
Date: Monday, September 8, 2008, 2:36 AM

This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification.

Delivery to the following recipients failed.

       general@bolton.com.my