Guan Eng’s announcement that he would direct the Penang Munical Council to immediately revoke the development order issued to Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn Bhd is a bold and decisive move.
He is finally using the powers of his office to act decisively in the interests of the villagers of Kg Buah Pala.
In this case, the Chief Minister has had to choose whose side the state government would be on come 2 Aug: the people’s or the developer’s. It must have been an agonising choice, as the state government risks being sued.
But if any developer sues the state government, it would effectively be taking on the people of Penang and as Guan Eng vowed, it would be a long and difficult suit.
He has effectively drawn a line in the sand, throwing the state government’s moral backing behind the people of Kampung Buah Pala.
It was a difficult choice but I think it is the wisest move under the circumstances.
For far too long, developers in Penang have ruled the roost and politicians, whether BN or Pakatan, appeared helpless to rein them in. Hopefully, Guan Eng’s decision will put the developers in their place.
For that to happen, the Pakatan government must keep the developers at arm’s length at all times and insist that they follow proper procedures. No lobbying should be allowed. Everything must follow clear guidelines and procedures that protect the interests of the people and the environment.
Much more is at stake than just Kampong Buah Pala. Will Guan Eng’s move usher in a new era in which the state government will put the people’s interest ahead of developers’ profits?
The other big test facing the state government is how it enforces the stop work orders it has issued for the Bolton Surin project in Tanjong Bunga.
Do you support Guan Eng's move to revoke the development order in Kg Buah Pala?
- Yes, it's the right move to be on the people's side (82%, 1,538 Votes)
- No, he should have tried other options (14%, 261 Votes)
- Don't know (4%, 70 Votes)
Total Voters: 1,868
Our CM Guan Eng is not a typical govt leader. Look back at his life, at the tender age of 26 he was elected as Kota Melaka MP defeating the incumbent Soh Chin Aun. The year after that in 1987 he was arrested under ISA for 2 years minus all those candlelights, children being used to send memos and roses. His ISA stay was a non-issue and he then defended a young Malay girl (so those idiots who called him a racist are either blind or deaf or both), resulting in him put away for another 2 years in end 1990s – resulting in him unable to contest for elections until 2008. Money and corruption is alien to him, he wasnt planning to capture Penang either – he was put there my the might of the Penangites who were fed up with corruption, UMNO bullying and abuse of power. Whatever decision our dearest YAB takes, I am sure he calculates it well and he will do it with our best interests in his heart. He didnt come up the easy way, those days no one joined opposition to come to power, and he will surely understand the plight of the common man.
And look at his 2 deputies – Dr Mansor and Prof Rama. Dr Mansor is a stark opposite to his predecessor Dato Rashid – an UMNO racist… defacto leader of Penang (everyone knows Koh Tsu Koon was just a CM namesake). Dr Mansor is highly educated, civilised, again remained in PKR since 1999 despite numerous electoral defeats for the sake of justice and equality, rejecting the communal politics practiced by UMNO. And Prof Rama, no introduction needed for a reknowned academician and labour politics activist. His previous books were about estate workers and their plight. His contract in UKM was famously terminated for fighting the rights of Malaysian Indians and his involvement in Acheh peace negotiation. Indians in Malaysia need a leader like Prof Rama, not some UMNO ‘YES MAN’ or those who steal from money meant for the poor like MAIKA holdings, Telecom shares, various tamil school funds, temple collection, and lately AIMST scandal.
Compare Lim Guan Eng vs Koh Tsu Koon, Dr Mansor vs Dato Rashid and Prof Rama vs Tol Samy, you know which leader you want.
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Hi Anil,
It will be difficult to satisfy the Indians in any circumstance; thats the reason why for a population of less than 2 million, we have so many parties which are dominated by the Indians. When the MIC had sat quietly in the State Cabinet under the leadership of the Gerakan when the land was sold off to the Co-operative, where did the residents go then? It is a classic case of selective complaining by the residents. If they had done so under the BN government, they would have had to face its huge fist which is made up of the Police and the AG Chambers but they decided to do it now, knowing very well that the current State Government practices what it preaches and doesn’t have such a fist like that of the former BN government. So the issue is why only stand up for marginalization now when it could have been done before?
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> But if any developer sues the state government, it
> would effectively be taking on the people of Penang
> and as Guan Eng vowed, it would be a long and
> difficult suit.
You think? You forget (the state of the judiciary)…! Be prepared to have Penang bankrupted in the… Courts!!! And watch Najib take over Penang on the pretext the state govt is bankrupt…?
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The greed of developers must be checked.
May God bless GE bold decision.
Fortune favors the bold.
God favors the humble.
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Although I believe that the development order should be revoked, it is important that this a decision of the municipal council to make. It is wrong for the CM to abuse his powers by forcing their hand on a specific issue such as this. Indeed, all the Pakatan State governments need to learn that certain matters are under the jurisdiction of local government and the State Exco can only make recommendations of a general nature.
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It’s been a looong while since I have seen any ‘action’ from politicians. For this, I give the guy a standing ovation (thank goodness, for my butt is feeling sore from all the ‘talks’).
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Anil,
Please do buy this sort of propaganda that LGE spins regularly. He has no intention to carry out his threats since he has told the residents that there is no way that they can continue to maintain their village. He has been offering them some monetary compensation to settle the issue.
All these threats are empty that to show he’s powerful. If you don’t believe me, wait and see until the 3rd Aug.
The villagers request is simple. They want the village to be preserved. As such it is shocking that those people in Penang who are passionate about heritage don’t seem to care about the plight of the villagers. Perhaps this is because it involves a margainalised group. I saddens me that there was no concentrated effort and opposition to this demolision unlike in the case with PGCC and many other issues.
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While good for the villagers, surely this is bad news for developers and worse, the public who already bought units in such projects – be they medium-cost flats, condos, office units and factory floors.
So let’s say a PR govt in Penang-Selangor-Kedah now approves a piece of land to be converted into a major project. the developer then sold units to the public.
but if/when BN takes back the state, can they then say that the project is not good for the people and revoke the development order?
if that is so, then there is no finality to issues.
my sympathies to the villagers.
but is this what all malaysians really want? that a pressure group/s can force the government to go against the court and revoke a development order just like that?
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NFA by MACC?
how can the previous state govt sell a piece of land on the CHEAP to some cronies using a coop as a conduit and not solicit investigation by MACC? Answer, because the state govt then was helmed by a BN component party and the president is now a federal minister administering KPI (INCLUDING FOR MACC?) Wow, no shame for selling out the state?
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I don’t think this will be the end of it. Both my parties are gonna suffer with Penang Govt probably receiving the worse end of it. All in all, if the blogger society feels that this is best way forward, fine. But I think LGE will eventually pay a heavy price for this. I personally don’t think that the majority of Penangites will support this decision given the exact condition of Kpg Pala all along but if this is a risk that LGE is willing to face on their behalf, I wish YB all the luck he can have when this gones to legal dispute. It’s easy for commentors and activists to praise the heavens for LGE decision ! But bear in mind that LGE Govt’s will be facing the Court alone on this, not the activists and commentors of this blog….and LGE Govt has to manage the state budget, not the the activists and bloggers. Historically, Msians tend to be sensitive when it comes to money whether its BN or PR, likewise this would be the same. My two cents opinion on this.
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For a state to reach developed status, zero squatter policy must enforce. This is good for the sake of development. CM earlier move to allow High Chapparal land development is correct one though not a popular move. If squatters continue to exist forever, Penang island will remain backward conditions. Policy continuity from previous government is utmost important for Penang to move forward in term of progressiveness. In any metropolitan, squatters always an obstacle but the administrator must find amicable solution.
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Hi everyone,
This bold move comes with a ‘high risk’ of the State being sued!
Since it has come to this, Penangites must come out in full support of the State Govt’s move in the event the State is sued by the developers. The State and Penangites must make it a very very costly move for the developers to resort to taking the State Govt to court!! There are ways that the people, Penangites especially, and the State Govt. particularly can do this, but let’s wait for the developers’ next move.
Nevertheless, let’s also not let the ‘real culprits’ KTK and company go scotfree! Hound them and pursue them by uncovering any past misdeeds of KTK and co. Those uncovered misdemeanours that can be pursued in court must be brought to court! It is the duty of the present State Govt to recover from or surcharge them for any past financial wrongdoings!
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Way to go Guan Eng!
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He is setting a precedent…a very dangerous precedent. There are so many illegal squatters around, and they would start to make claims for huge compensation to move out of the land which does not belong to them in the first place.
I don’t think this is setting a precedent. This was originally housing trust land for decades and it only fell to the hands of the Koperasi a few years ago in highly questionable circumstances. – Anil
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Damn Stupid of LGE to do this. Now every squatters will want this to happen. Pls get rid of this Indian Village. … if they are Malaysian why call themselves Indians all the while. When its not your land get out. Dont need your votes. Call your hero back from mLndon if he dares. Cowards
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I support what is right for the rakyat, go for it. The poor people need land to stay.
yc
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LGE has made a good decision to side the people.
Let’s hope it all turns out well.
Developers and their cronies from AMNO/BeeEnd must be taught a lesson. They have enriched themselves at the cost of the people and the environment.
The real culprit in this instance is the previous Gerakan government under KSK.
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OK, good move. Now how about doing the same – revoking the Development Order awarded to the Bolton Surin project developers in Chee Seng Gardens?
Or is public safety and the lives of the residents of Chee Seng Gardens affected by the Bolton Surin project not as important as the lives of the Kg Buah Pala residents? After all, Chee Seng Garden residents voted for the DAP. Or is this fact not important to the DAP and to LGE?
So, why is LGE so reluctant to act decisively against Bolton Surin when Bolton Surin is openly flouting MPPP development by-laws? Is Bolton Surin not acting illegally?
Or is LGE happily partial to Bolton Surin but anti-Nusmetro because Nusmetro is an UMNO-linked company? Well, Bolton Surin is also linked to UMNO.
LGE, please explain your double-standards!
LGE, if you don’t stop the Bolton Surin project, then you are just a hypocrite and a political opportunist. Not any different from the BN garbage we threw out of office in March 2008.
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There is no easy way out of the Kg Buah Pala issue. Everything is so so unclear. Are the settlers squatters or beneficiaries of the Trust set up by Brown? How did the land get converted to TOL? Why did the settlers allow the KTK gomen to convert to TOL?
What can be done now is the limit the damage to the settlers and allow them to come out “best” from this mess left by the KTK gomen.
What LGE is doing now appears to be one of the good way forward. But at the end of the day, the Rakyat must be ever vigilant.
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now the most importand is all penangite to back Lim Guan Eng at all cost
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With what I read and experience, the new government is always better than the old government.
In ALL the advanced countries, their citizens always vote for new government.
DAP government will make Penang prosper even more.
Just put in average guy with integrity, he will be the BEST candidate.
In my opinion, Guan Eng is over qualified to hold a chief minister post.
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LGE should be congratulated for his stand against a powerful developer.
I know of how ADUN in certain area always sided with the developers against the villagers. The ADUN’s house is virtually free and household being fully furnished by businessman. That was before the GE.
Yes, The Indians must appreciate LGE and his two deputies for standing against the developers.
If it had still been Koh, the village would have been flattened and (little) compensation, I think
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Why did the MIC approach Lim Guan Eng and Penang State Govt to buy up the land when the land no longer belongs to the government but the Developer(thanks to Koh Tsu Koon for his contribution!)?
Samy Value, his MIC and their dirty politics again, ade duit kah? Or just want to ridicule the PR State government? Whatever, dirty politics needs pakai otak and play smart.
How difficult was it when they could have easily got the residents of Kampong Buah Pala down on the knees and be eternally grateful to MIC, had Samy Value and MIC carted the RM3.2 million in cash and distribute them among the residents. The residents will now have no problems moving out afterall it’s all about money they want.
Once the residents move out, problems solved! – the Pg Government’s one big headache gone and they can now concentrate on other things, Residents happy they got the money and Developer pleased they may start clearing the land for construction and Samy may be made their Director, no?
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very good mr lim guan eng, pls stop all development on all projects involving squatters or desecendents of people who stays more than onee or two hundred years. By the way are the residents direct decendents of the original settlers, was there any investigations taken??????????????
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This is neither a solution nor a good decision. The CM’s power is not absolute and cannot be exercised arbitrarily.
Administrative decisions must be fair and reasonable. On the face of it LGE’s order seems to be in bad faith and looks unfair and oppressive to the developer. What is the basis for his order. Looks like its just a disply of might. Administrative decisions are justiciable. If the courts can look into the Perak State Assembly proceedings (which they cannot do) and over-rule the Speaker, how long will it take them to overturn LGE’s decision.
If the developer compromises fine, something good may be worked out. But what if the developer does not backdown and very likely they wont…
Then this would be the likely scenario :
Come Aug 3, developer demolishes the village and fences the area. Then developer goes all the way to Federal court and manages to overturn LGE’s revocation order. (What makes u ppl think they will sue for damages)
Then LGE wrings his hands, sheds some crocodile tears and tells the villagers “I tried my utmost, sorry.”
Based on current circumstancs I think this is a trap for the villagers. The villagers would be volunteering a walkover to the developer.
The only real solution would be to ACQUIRE the land on the grounds that its of heritage value and is of public interest. Then the developer will be out of the picture and only the landowner goes to court and that too only for compensation.
The courts cannot intefere with the aquisition and can only decide on the compensation according to the NLC.
But LGE is not willing to even consider aquisition. Why?
All the while he was telling the villagers to take the compensation and move, but now sudenly he has come up with this supposedly bold decision.
I think LGE is still on the side of the developer and he is leading the villagers to the slaughterhouse. Lets wait and see. I hope I am proven wrong.
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