A petition against the proposed Penang International Convention Centre (PICC) was handed in to the Penang state government on Friday, 15 January.
Engineer Tan Seng Hai handed over the petition to Lim Guan Eng’s political secretary, Ng Wei Aik, who received it on behalf of the Chief Minister. Copies were also handed over to the personal assistants of the Secretary and Acting YDP of the Penang Municipal Council, Patahiyah Ismail, and Penang exco member Abdul Malik at their offices.
A total of 347 signatures were collected within 12 days, and Tan expressed satisfaction with the awareness and publicity generated by the petition.
The following are a selection of comments found on the petition here:
“There are more urgent improvements required for Penang.”
- Namasivayam Elangovan“Please cleanup and improve existing infrastructure”
- Lim Guan Bee“What percent of the total MPPP budget is the 50mil expense?”
-Chan Siew Ngai“A project not befitting the Penang Govt and what it stands for.”
- Loh Lim Lin Lee“The design also lacks sufficient storage space, working and staging areas pre and post-exhibition, the kitchen will be too small to cater for any banquet functions, F&B support will be totally inadequate for a foreseeable large crowd to cater to the exhibitors, no one will come to a convention centre without enough supporting infrastructure and entertainment outlets. Cannot develop convention centres as an isolated event centre.”
- Chuah Lai Long“The budget should be used to improve transportation system.”
- Chin Yan Ning“Those carparks in D Piazza Mall are for the mall’s business operation. The mall does not plan the car parks to cater for your convention centre.”
- Michael Chin“Look at what happen to Pisa, Pesta & Komtar Dome. It is vacant/underutilised most of the time.”
- Lee Chin Ark“The Penang Times Square project close to Komtar has provision for an International Convention Centre in Phase 3.”
- Jessica Chen“Conduct an architectural competition for the proposal to find the best solution.”
- Tan Khang Hung“There is no integrated plan linking public transport, local accomodation etc. Such a project should be public/private partnership and not burden the local authority.”
- Lim Hooi Siang“The State Govt should work with the Times Square developer on the convention centre project. With the convention centre near Komtar, it will benefit Komtar. That includes Prangin Mall, 1st Avenue, Komtar and Times Square can be a shopping haven like Bukit Bintang and KLCC. Don’t forget about the monorail running through there.”
- Lim“The IJM Light Waterfront project already has a proposed convention centre.”
- Khoo Lay Wah“Why spend money on new convention centres when there are developers who will build them with their own money?”
- Fong Siew Lan
See also this Business Times article: Is Penang lacking in international convention centres?
These criticims lack one thing – there is not a single common theme. Its sound too back seat driving.. A series of small criticism is NOT good enough not to do the project. Penang govt has to lead and that comes with risk. So long as there is no major complain about it, they have the right to make the decision take the risk. If they are wrong a few times, they will pay for it..
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The CAT has transformed competency to collusion, accountability to arrogant, and transparency to tit for tat .
Time to kill the CAT of collusion, arrogant, tit for tat. Why?
We don’t want a state government that cooperate with developers for their own mutual benefit. We don’t like an arrogant CM who can’t accept criticism. We don’t like a CM who prefer equivalent retaliation when deal with the criticisms.
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Ong
We are still waiting for your action against the PR Government over the foreshore issue. Where is your sufficient evidence and now has become a rubbish bin?
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kingkong,
He just like Gerakan K and the UMNO BN coalition are just sore losers who can`t accept the realities of the last GE. Just like (a certain leader) and (his party) cronies, they have to use the most devious means of using corrupted people and ways to topple or discredit a government.
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Ong,
Ignore NGOs at your perils. Also a smack of arrogance. Please do not equate yourself with the public masses
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347 out of the planned 1,500, not bad for 12 days efforts, the State Government has a reason to look into it, but as it is Penang is a difficult state to govern. Basic needs must be looked into, like improving Pisa and bringing back the glory back to Botanical Gardens. Transport system needs to be looked into, public transport that is.
Whatever, the PICC is necessary to move Penang out of its listless situation. We cannot afford to lack further behind, the convention centre must be properly utilize and ensure that it will not be like all those structures built previously, built for the sake of building and enriching a few. KL has many convention centres, but most of all are fully utilized except for those that are located out way out of commercial areas. Whatever the arguments, Penang must strive to create its own niche market without having to follow whatever the KLites do. Please understand that most manufacturers in Penang today cater to the international markets whereas those in KL caters to the local industries. Because of the lack of a reasonable convention centre in Penang, most MNCs has got no choice but to hold their exhibitions and fares in KL for their international audience. There are alot of manufacturers in the northern Perak region that borders Penang, there are alot of manufacturers in Kedah, that cannot afford the exhorbitant fees in KL, therefore, the PICC is good to capture these markets and create a niche for itself. But, honestly, the need is for a good convention centre, to attract international manufacuturers.
The Convention Centre will do the State good in the long run, if properly managed,which we are sure, the PR Government, will utilize the huge pool of talents that are ready to serve the State Government. Penangnites can and had always provened themselves to be capable. Important thing is that basic grouses of the Rakyat have got to be attended to, if a decision is necessary, that may not pleased the Rakyat, it had to be taken, but, attend to the complaints first, bring back the Glory of the Botanical gardens, Pisa and improve on basic amenities. We do not expect the PR Government to do everything that the BN had failed to do for the past 20 years, but, look into the grouses of the 347, then move forward, as the State cannot be held back by a few, when the project may benefit the interests of the majority.
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Was there an announcement for the petition?
I did sign the online petition but unfortunately didn’t sign any of the “real life” edition of the petition.
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Well, they need to make some “extra” income too.
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dear bigjoe
of course there is a common theme in the criticisms-347 objections to the building of the convention centre at PISA at RM50 million to be borne by MPPP. alternatives have also be given. To allow such a mistake to take place is too costly for MPPP and the rate payers. we deserve better.
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Penang’s approximate population – 1.5 million.
Only 347 signed ???
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Lim,
Wait for the state government’s response on this. What if the state government can come up with a very detailed explanation just like Lau Bee Lan on Allah issue. Then, how? 3/4 of petitions would do a U turn.
People,
1 glance at the petition I can smell BN cronies. Downsize PGCC & PORR to be used instead. Hahahaha! I smell a rat here
Anyway, I agree on the part of budgetary control. Hey, as for KBP, Great Anil is willing to waste plenty of money. Remember!
IT’S ECONOMY STUPID!
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Loh,
They need to make ‘extra income’ ? Like (leaking funds belonging to) the Rakyat ? Like UMNO has been doing ?
If that is so, what’s the difference between DAP and UMNO?
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To Iron:
There was only one version of the petition, the on-line version. If you had signed it, that was it. Thank you. What was handed over to the CM office was the printout of the on-line petition with all the signatures and comments.
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Penangnites,
Are You people still blind about the (alleged) conspiracy between DAP-DEVELOPER( BN Cronies) – BN
It is all about money….
Penang People voted for change… The Change is only the Benefactor of the … money!!!!
After all BN earned so long…
After all its only Rakyat money.. who cares!!! …
rgds
lineclear
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The feedback process in the form of a petition initiated by the locals are great.
From the broader perspective of sustainable growth and development of any State/City, it has to look some 5-10 years ahead of the ‘market’ and ‘economic shifts’ in the surrounding region.
For example, have a good detailed assessment of Jakarta, Singapore, HCMC-Ho Chi Min City, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Bangkok. While each city has its fair share of pride(competitive edge)and beauty/attractions, each of them is always at its unique stage of development, or for the case of Singapore and Hong Kong which are considered as the most developed in Asia, both gone through their process of development, redevelopment etc.
Hence, it is vital to look at local hygiene, cleanliness of streets, maintenance of parks etc, Penang must steer itself towards being ONE of the MANY ‘international cities’.
Ask what i can do for Penang? Have i done it?
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I fully support this PICC from my experience of staying in Penang for over ten years.
In fact, Penang needs a bigger PICC, but more suitable site is at the refill land opposite Pantai Jerjak. The site is formerly designated for small Putrajaya.
Anyway there is a pro by building at the stadium site, PICC can be used for sports.
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