The ‘Kings of Tennis’ tournament in Penang this weekend has been cancelled.
How much will it cost to clear the mess in the Esplanade, including all that concrete? A couple of million ringgit? Did the state government collect a deposit from the organisers? If yes, great. If not, why not?
It’s a major ‘Big Bang’ for Penang, unfortunately….
The objective of ‘Kings of Tennis’ was “to create the first, biggest and best team event for the world number ones in tennis.”
But the local organisers apparently failed to come up with payment or a bank guarantee for the event producers. A Big Bang embarrassment.
“We express our sincere apologies to the public and all those parties concerned but we simply could not provide the players without the payment of promised funds that did not materialise despite a number of ultimatums given to the local promoter/organiser by our organisation,” said the event producers in a press release by Ming, KH & Associates Sdn Bhd on behalf of the overseas-based producers of ‘Kings of Tennis’.
The warning bells should have sounded when the organisers complained a few days ago of “lack of support” from the state government. But did the state government actually endorse the event by allowing the organisers to use a .gov.my URL as in http://www.kingsoftennis.gov.my/
Why did the organisers build all the infrastructure without sorting out the financing first?
Speaking of the Esplanade, whose bright idea was it to build that low wall surrounding the sprawling field, which is supposed to be a public area? What purpose does it serve?
one more thing… anyone remember the 1997 World Film Festival – great festival but wasn’t there a problem with payment.. or was that just a Penang rumour… what happened about the Penang Mozart festival and the grand pris….. big ieas
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How good and big an idea doesn’t matter, can it be implemented smoothly matters most. The success of such event needs blessing from many parts. There is always room for sabotage and only god knows who is the culprit. We will never know the actual cause of failure and if you think it is because of the bank guarantee you are taking the matter so simple. Sorry these days I have not gone to Esplanade to see the venue but it will be pity to see the kings of tennis playing in this kind of don’t know what to call tennis court. Fortunately, these champions of grass court, clay court and hard court are spared with playing here.
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All this needs to be seen in proper perspective. The event is very good for Penang, you cannot deny that. There is also no oonspiracy involved or sabotage.
The padang is not spoilt ok, it was never that nice and it can easily be restored. Remember a couple of years ago when the padang was trampled to death after a NYE event? No one complained because everyone had fun. There was so much gravel all over the padang ok.
The council cannot be blamed as this event would highlight Penang. The council did put a fee to the use and that generates income too for the right reason.
The issue is the organiser. This woman comes in and starts spinning stories. She says rumours that its off is untrue but the Sweden people made it clear that they had informed her that the whole thing is off. She did not pay them.
Then there is report quoting Danny saying this woman called him to say the show will go on!
Now trust me, people like her will start to blame everyone. She started with the Penang government, say no support or lacking support. I dunno but someone tell me today that a Chinese paper report that she sms to Gerakan saying Penang government lack support. I am not sure but if this is true then this woman is crazy la. Why got problem want to play with both side?
I predict tomorrow or day after she will hold a very nice press conference and say that this is the fault of the Sweden people (they are not here to defend) and that she only helping those people out, so not her fault. All this event belong to the people from Sweden. Watch and see.
Anyone can trust this woman? …
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dear anil,
why waste it, invite Wimbledom to be be held at the Esplanade, then the ATP, Australian open, French open, Dubai Open,…. Lateral thinking la.
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The first series of blunder by the state chief who is still living and dreaming in the clouds. First the road signs, second touring Korea, third tennis for sale, and surely many more. None of these benefit the people whose taxes helped CM foot the bills. LGE’s head is now spinning wildly like helicopter blades. Nothing works as far as he is concerned. Take the road signs for example. His obsession with multicomplicated signages would land him in the court unnecessarily. Again at the expense of tax payer money. He failed to understand that Penang is manufacturing hub and not tourist state. LGE definitely has to attend night classes and later sit exam on The Art of Governing.
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Lim Guan Eng and his gang are trying too hard to show that they are “boleh” without consider all calculated risks before approve any grand project.
This blunder showing us that DAP is a party who can talk a lot, but cannot work or deliver.
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Well guys,
It’s good if LGE government can specifically list down the choronology of this issue without fail. But then again, it’s a tennis tournament. If Singapore GLC can lose one big hard disk company, Micropolis in the past (and still survive). What’s this?
I am not saying that we should run away from this. Treat it as a lesson lor. I am more worried if something cock up and the state government got to foot the bill. That’s big problemo. Else, it’s just a tennis tournament.
In Singapore, Sand might have problemo in kickstarting the IR in Singapore. If Sand kenna cabut, IR collapse, Singapore govt extremely incompetent????? Good to ponder
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Since someone highlighted on Roadsigns. Please
Don’t make a blunder on Roadsigns. Road signs should be only in Bahasa Malaysia as national language & English as international.
Spend more time & money on improving road condition, safety, traffic flow etc.
YB LGE should be firm not to accept all the rubbish idea & make a mess of Penang.
I don’t see racial integration is on the signboard, It should be cultivated in person. If a Malaysia cannot Read either BM or English
than something seriously wrong in building Bangsa Malaysian.
Todays DCM DR Ramasamy news in STAR highlighted on civil servent. Malay 85%, Indian 12% & Chinese 5%, Well 12% indian, what category staff are they. Well i see majority MPPP labourers. The distribution should be at all level. Anyway what’s happening in FTZ MNC factories staffing?
What is the % distribution of race in all levels. If you whan to open up than we should see at all.
NEP was introduce cos of that, anyway the UMNO fellows missed. You see one race controls very silently & this directly gives purchasing power. Look at the house prices in Penang. Who can effort? Anil drive around la, Only that race?
It hurds but think rationally guys. If you are not willing to open up, than you should not touch the others.
Joc_Penang.
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To looes74…the event choronology was reported in Chinese newspapers.
http://www.chinapress.com.my/content_new.asp?dt=2008-11-14&sec=local&art=1114lg09.txt
I found out many irregulaties such as a DAP executive ordered MPPP to go ahead with the event without any agreement signed with the event promoter.
My question what the heck this executive overuled MPPP to waive deposit requirement.
I hope ACA can investigate any abuse of power and charge the executive in the court accordingly.
Second, no deposit secured from the promoter. Penang taxpayers’ may have to bear for grassfield repair cost in case the company refuses to accept legal liability under these circumstances.
1. No legal documennt signed with MPPP. The likelihood is MPPP suing them for tresspassing only.
2. The company decided to winding up to avoid paying huge compensation to MPPP. FYI, previous state government had spent RM2 million to renovate muddy padang.
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Hi everyone,
Let us wait for the report from the Penang PAC after it has conducted a full inquiry into this ‘Big Bang fiasco’.
Penangites and other Malaysians expect a full disclosure on how the fiasco arose. If there is any negligence, ‘foul’ play, etc, those responsible should be exposed and action taken against them.
People would then reaffirm their confidence in the CAT policy if the aforesaid action is taken.
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To all the critics of the new state govt. putting the blame for this botched event on LGE & Co. Come on , give them a break. okay? so we know they re new in state admin matters. BUT we can see that there is CAT in his admin. This is a good enough start for a better tomorrow for penangites.
dont just take this chance to slam the new govt. who are only 8 mths old.. well, they ve learned their lesson to not believe anyone no matter how beautiful or convincing he or she is. they are only trying to help the producers (not taking any deposits etc.) and hoping this event could actually put penang one step higher. who knows this event could go bust? they’re not GOD. Try Put yourself in their shoes…
The producers and/or Arianna is the main and only culprit. She has said that she will make good the esplanade back. so we make sure she does it. what about the previous govt??? i’m sure thare are occasions that also went wrong, but then they went on and on and governed for so many donkey years until march 8, 2008!!!
lets be fair to all okay?
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I noticed that this international event was brought to shore on 10th August and was turned down and later conditionally approved in October. My goodness this international event was scheduled to hold on 14th to 16th November and how could such a big bang tennis tournament be orginised within such a short period. Are we being made a fool? If it were to make to attract sport fans from all over the world to come joining this fiesta, do you think a month’s preparation work is enough? I wish I have a chance to ask those organisers how long it needs to prepare a major event like Penang Bridge Run and the just concluded INternational Marathon Run.
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