Another property developer to be allowed land reclamation rights.
Looks as if almost the entire stretch of super-prime land on the east coast, from the ferry to the airport, is being or has already been sold to private developers.
This time, the state government is in negotiations with Boustead to allow the firm to carry out land reclamation on a stretch south of Bayan Mutiara, supposedly as “compensation” for scaling down the height of its Boustead Hotel from 12 floors to five. Never mind that the lowered height was a requirement for world heritage status by Unesco. Will the people of Penang end up the losers again? How much prime land is the state going to hand over this time and at what price? Who agreed to this “compensation” without a legal challenge in the first place? In the spirit of CAT, please show us the calculations for this “compensation”.
How will this affect traffic on the coastal highway? Who pays for road infrastructure needed (as we don’t have decent public transport) to cater for the higher traffic volume caused by all this land reclamation? The public?
When are we going to have a coastal hydrological study by independent and internationally recognised experts to assess the impact of all this reclamation on siltation in the channel? Periodic dredging to deepen the channel costs hundreds of millions of ringgit – at public expense. Private developers, on the other hand, reap huge profits from high-end property development on reclaimed land along the coast.
This report from The Edge:
Guan Eng confirms Boustead’s land reclamation deal
GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng confirmed reports by The Edge Financial Daily that Boustead Holdings Bhd would be allowed to reclaim land as part of a compensation for having to scale down its Royal Bintang Hotel project from 12 floors to five.
The reclamation is part of the compensation for Boustead due to the hotel project having to be scaled down in accordance to Unesco requirements for naming George Town as a World Heritage Site.
“We are already at the advanced stages of negotiations (with Boustead) and we will announce the details of the solution and compensation at an appropriate time and venue,” said Lim when asked during a press conference.
The Edge Financial Daily had reported yesterday that Boustead would be allowed to reclaim an area along the coast, south of the Penang Bridge “very much less” than 100 acres between the existing Penang Bridge and the Penang Second Crossing (P2X) in Batu Maung. The reclamation will be carried out south of Bayan Mutiara which the state government recently tendered out to be developed.
It is learnt that Boustead is planning to develop the reclaimed area into an integrated township with upscale housing and commercial components.
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If you check, you will know that it is during the BN govt time that the buidling plan to build 12 storey hotel was approved. Stop work to reduce from 12 storey was only issued after developer had spent money to do all the foundation, etc. It is ok to question the pakatan govt, but I think BN parties shld also look into the mirror and ask ownself.
As least we know why Bouestead was given the right to reclaim the land.
May we know why the right to reclaim land opposite Gurney Drive was given by the previous administration and for what consideration and purpose?
Ah Soon kor can release his frustration by having daily walk around Esplanade…..and see the light of the day daily.
nkkhoo needs urge mca grassroots to be more proactive in Penang to cement his legacy as the one with CSL-connection to make things done.
Ah Soon Khor
You are questioning geotechnical engineers who many are Malaysians reclaiming land for Pay and Pay first government. Even the Tg Pelepas Port close to Muar does not need 25 years and so many planting trees.
…Oh Ah Soon kor is the smartest. No geotechnical engineers can compare. Smartest smart alec around. He knows everything.
If NGOs in Penang are interested in my land stabilization plan, they can help me lobby for planting the trees at all reclaimed lands. I will use 70% of the profit to setup a funding for Penang NGOs. I have a serious buyer from Australia who are willing to buy all the timber we harvested. This is an innovative way of doing timber plantation without having to own a single inch of lands. Yet it help to solve the problem arising from reclaimed land. No cost to the state, only thing I want is a concession to me as a… Read more »
One fine day I will ask LGe for unusual concession too. Let see whether he has the intelligent to do anything about it. I oppose the land reclamation projects in Penang as I know what kind of problem it will cause. To stablise the land is to find way to stop the land from subside over time. I will bring certain type of tree species to be planted at the reclaimed land at my own cost and effort but I will ask for concession from LGe to allow me the exclusive rights to harvest the trees for timber for 25… Read more »
Ah Soon and that Khoo, their blogs tak laku, so they have to come to Anil’s to shout…!!! How i wish Anil can collect some fee through his blog as Anil needs to eat too. Khoo said MCA had been fighting for the Chinese over the years. Yes, i do agree, they fought for their big fat bank accounts and the good lives for their families otherwise today we will still have many good Chinese schools. Seteruk-teruknya DAP is anytime better than (some of) the corrupted to the core MCA politicians, get it Khoo? Are Ling Leong Sik and gangs… Read more »
Seem u may have learning deficiency. I only say MCA is good in grassroots service at new villages, never say its top leaders are good and clean.
DAP top leaders are see clean, because they only three years in the job. Their grassroots service is closed to non-exist.
DAP leaders in Penang are still behaving they are opposition. This is a tragic for DAP and Penangites.
Anil blog covers more and more scandals related to LGE….do u know why?
A man with short term memory loss and equally charming demeanour insulting others again. Hmmm, seems to be a recuring theme here isn’t it? I wonder, don’t you have someone in your life ….( a real person) to insult and annoy?
Penangites let Gerakan and BN … everywhere in Penang for 39 years, when things got from bad to worst, an overwhelming majority voted DAP in to clean up the …, this is a fact and not a subject of debate, always remember that. But is it sufficient just to clean up, or Penangites clamoring for more, if that’s the case, what are the issues and who can serve them better? Economic growth or small is beautiful? Job opportunities or higher unemployment rates? I’d wish for DAP to advocate Buddhist economy, but at what price, Anil?
What price the present model of development? Massive congestion, traffic jams, ever-increasing price of food, disappearing fish, soaring property prices, polluted seas and air, hills being cut…
Time to start thinking of alternatives, no?
Anil Try to think out of box. May I offer some answers which i think some will still don’t believe in : Massive congestion, traffic jams ==> with development by right we should have better public transport. Also people mentality must change. In Penang, make a habit to ride RapidPenang. Monthly pass now RM85 (wargamas RM45) can be reduced further to encourage more to use Rapid so that less cars on the road. ever-increasing price of food ==> though this is happening almost everywhere on earth, Msia with good climate & vast land should grow more vegetables for local consumption.… Read more »
There are many alternatives. For example, public transport should be free.
Other than the developers, the person who will profited from all the land reclamation will be me. All the land reclamation that took place in Penang do not let the soil to be stabilized, Immediate after the reclamation, properties are build which will have poor foundation when the soil start to subside over time. Then it is my turn to come and rescue with a land stabilization plan that will guarantee me a good retirement fund. The developers will not give a damn to problem of poor land foundation. The residents will have no choice but to take my offer… Read more »
People have short memories. what happen to the Architect and Engineers who design the Highland Towers? They are not accountable? CPA for PROFESSIONAL Accountant is a waste. Unless one is not updating one’s knowledge, building standards and specifications and know how, we continue to be like Burma and there will be no Michelle Yeoh – Bond girl and World Sugar King – Robert Kuok.
Yes, you are the smartest….
“The residents will have no choice but to take my offer to help stabilize the land yet I am the most vocal anti-land reclamation activist in town.”
You are so full of yourself. Entertaining in your very own way……
All the criticisms but no real alternatives. Stop the real estate game and the state governments will eat … along with its people. The sttea benefits in numerous ways when land is developed. 1. Stamp duty on the land transaction. 2. Ubah syarat premium. 3. Development premium. 4. Cukai Tanah. 5. Cukai Pintu. 6. Revenue from business licenses when businesses move into the developed area. Many Penangtites like to believe that their state is driven by high-tech multinationals. However, where is the state government going to derive its revenue? Customs, income, sales and corporate taxes are all in the hands… Read more »
Move to Penang for your goodsake.
What difference between DAP who won in Chinese areas in Penang and UMNO who won in Malay areas in Johor.
Racist politics will make sure DAP and UMNO corrupt leaders win in Penang and Johor, no matter how me and you complain…
People have a right to move anywhere they like and express their opinions too. You are not the only an with opinion, live with it for god’s sake.
We call upon Penang Forum, international NGOs and the People of Penang
“SAVE THE PENANG FISH CAMPAIGN”
Stop greedy developers and politicians from wiping out our marine fish forever! Our coastal waters and breeding grounds need to be nurtured, not destroyed. Tunglang, cheap fish is within your reach! Act Now!
Organise something more concrete, incisive and acid public opinion. Make it One-Inch Punch.
I will get my strategies to work, just as for street hawker food.
One possible strong media is art for “Save Penang Koay Kau”.
FYI – you can buy frozen fish fillet (imported from Vietnam) at Tesco or Giant. Quite reasonably priced.
Fish fresh and cook is better.
And also makes wife and children happy!
Moreover, it is cheap outdoor hobby that pays manifolds
than idle, expensive twiddling of iPad or mobile at Starry Eyed Bucks for show.
Another brilliant idea. To people who don’t know what is going on….perhaps it seems like twiddling. Its a free world. Others might see your postings as nonsensical ramblings. Fair?
So what? What qualifies you?
The next time don’t go for cheap shots. Keep to the topic with relevance and intelligence.
Otherwise, please don’t outdo nkkhoo. Poor try! Poor logic! Unpalatable to the ears!
Look who is talking. Topic here is land reclamation. Why rambling on about iPads and Starbucks? Don’t pass judgement on things you know little about. You have so much to say about how others live , invest etc…yet by your own admission, you couldn’t even manage your credit card! How smart can you be……then?
At least I don’t hide my personal affair for the benefits of those in credit cards problems. This type of discourse is common in Yahoo. There are lessons to be learnt, so if you think you are smart alec to snide at others’ misfortune, I am very sorry for you. You still think you are too good to make mistakes, go on. You cowardly ways are too similar to Barang Naiki syndrome, attacking at others’ weakness or presumption to gain points or advantages (which apparently Anil is not going to give you smart alec any reward whatsoever. So go on… Read more »
CM Lim Guan Eng, please answer the People of Penang:
1. Do you care if Penangites don’t have any more fish to eat?
2. Do you care if the People’s last protein resource is wiped away forever by your developer friends?
3. Lim Guan Eng, which is more important to you? Penang People’s food or Pleasing the Developers.
Hope LGE is listening now, not exclusively to Boys & Girls of GaGas.
Only Ayer Puteh voters can make sure LGE is listening, he never bother comments in Anil blog.
Ong, Khoo and Gerkhin,
If u cannot make your point in 1000 words or less, please write a book. This new media is still not very uncle friendly.
I am lazy guy, never write long story except for posting in my blog.
Bear for some mathematic calculations which is a bit longer for clarity purpose.
Say lazy but repeat same point everywhere. Tiresome to read.
Short term memory loss due to various reasons….
Wah… this means everyone in the UNESCO Heritage Zone can get compensated for scaling down their building height?
Not bad le!
Here’s where we should be living…harmoniously with aunty Ros.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyhrYis509A&w=350
The Bo Hood Party want to make a come back in Penang, it should initiate a legal proceeding against this Kai Sue administration for unusual concessions given to developers with total disregard for rules and regulations. Fighting this Durian Hood CM on the ground of forcing him to abide the laws and regulations will give Bo Hood party the opportunity to ridicule LGe as the most incompetent and non law abiding CM.
ha ha ha
i have good time reading Anil’s reader comments.
basically a bunch sour grapes, a bunch of anti-development (in the guise of environmentalists), a few pro-business folks (surprised me some teenagers have out of box thinkings)
so i dedicate this song to those who always just like to criticize without solid support to their causes :-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J9iSpA9QTs&w=350
Is this country short of land that we need to reclaim? This question also applies to our mindless high-rise buildings. Reclamation lead to more dredging of near-shore areas, which turned out to be disasterous overseas even after computer modelling. This is in addition to the massive “unofficial” dredging of rivers, streams and wetlands.
Overall in Malaysia probably not. In Penang perhaps is a totally different situation.
B’cos Penang got UNESCO Heritage Site, rich & famous & green horned wannabes want a piece of the famous pie. Speculative forces are already at work, no thanks to GREED of developers, banks and speculative agents (property gurus, property agents, speculative buyers turned sellers). Melaka is not spared. Since no strong rule of legislations but loopholes in the absence of integrated, sustainable development with responsibility, what we witness are wanton build & destroy of ecosystem and future livable prospects. Plus Satu Lagi Projek in the frays, the scenario is unpalatable and sheer insanity. Drove by Gurney Drive yesterday, I witnessed… Read more »
My humble ‘pie’ as food for thought for the day to those caught up in the web of dizzy progress: THE POWER IN NEEDING LESS Which is dearer, Name or life? Which means more, Life or wealth? Which is worse, Gain or loss? The stronger the attachments, The greater the cost. The more that is hoarded, The deeper the loss. Know what is enough; Be without disgrace. Know when to stop; Be without danger. In this way one lasts for a very long time. In the Taoist view, individuals who are materially oriented — who identify themselves with their possessions… Read more »
The land reclamation and property development by Ivory Properties Bhd already has a GDV of RM10 billion. Boustead ask for RM50million compensation, in lieu of the RM50million…
(If) LGe give (or sells to) Boustead (say) 40 ha land reclamation right, the GDV will be easily close to RM10 billion. What a windfall for Boustead! LGe is probably the greatest Santa Cruz in town!
Ong,
You mean you want the state govt to undertake all reclaimed land development?
You want the state to compete with the private sector?
You want to mix business with politics?
I think you are from the old school.
Governments today should provide the impetus and incentives for the private sectors to grow and undertake development not to compete with them directly.
I am complaining about LGe unusual concession to Bustead for the compensation of scaling down the 12 storeys hotel to 5 storeys. Boustead ask for RM50million compensation, LGe (selling) away the land reclamation right worth a GDV of (maybe billions). Is this a logical move in protecting the interest of the people. LGe is not given away his money nor LKS money, he is (selling) away our lnads, not his land nor LKS lands!
No details already shoot. Agenda clear.
Eu Soon always write in a very technical way (with some jargon) to conceal the lack of real facts with his own brand of opinion. But the trick cannot last long as readers are more discerning now as evident in the high number of thumbs down. No wonder he gets all the frustration in his attempt to tackle a transparent administration.
….Mr Ong, how exactly is CM giving away money? Any development has costs, and risks too. GDV of 10 billion….realised over what time frame? 8-10 years? Financing costs? Costs of reclamation? Do you have the full details yet?
Hell alot of things to say if you don’t….
To all the uncles commenting on present development in Penang :
STOP being so NEGATIVE lah !
I am just a teenager just like Bayan Baru Boy. We know soon the manufacturing businesses of FTZ will be outsourced or moved out to cheeaper emerging market countries (Malaysia Boleh in 2020 developed status – too costly to make electronic products in penang soon!).
So wise up. We trust YB LGE for business renewals. W know state future revenues are (>50%) coming from service and tourism industries. So present reclaimation projects are ok in line with that VISION!
Boy or Girl, make up your mind. (Your comment from same address as Bayan Baru Boy.)
boy n Girl share same computer blogging from bayan Baru !!!!
Keep it up. Maybe you can also deal with that dinosaur, Gherkin K.
Nowadays it is pretty common to see a few youngsters sharing a computer to read blogs/facebook in coffee-joints or at a mamak stall. It is a social interaction among the youngsters as they share their experience in the process. They prefer news from blogs and facebook (where they form their opinions), not from mainstream press. So Anil should be thankful for such readers if he wish to attract more advertisers.
Not looking for advertisers. Thanks for the thought though.
That is a typical DAP way to make up number. LOL
Wah….what a statement from a youngster !
who knows when FTZ businesses hollow out to inner China, big chunk of present FTZ land can be turned into Penang Budget Cost Housings to build economical homes (RM100k to RM200k) ? don’t be surprised this is happening now…..
Wah….what a statement from a youngster !
If that is true, bravo and good for the X,Y,Z generations.
If not, what a dubious way to hide behind youngsters!
Sudah berulang banyak kali kes-kes yang mengecewakan warga Pinang. Mari kita sokong BN selepas ini. Benda alternatif memang tak boleh pakai !!!
I think such development is needed to achieve bn’s vision of high income nation.
Anyone not happy can move to rural area for fuss-free living.
TheSun reported last year that reclamation along the state’s coastlines had likely caused abnormal sedimentation which may have led to drastic changes in tidal currents. A marine study commissioned by the state in 2009 indicated that reclamation activity had significantly affected the natural hydro-flow in Penang’s coastal waters. Conducted by the National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia (Nahrim), it showed that sea currents were forced to divert, pushing mud and causing it to be deposited along the island’s north-eastern coast and Penang Channel. One area that has been significantly affected is Gurney Drive. It was also reported that in-shore fishermen… Read more »
Ong,
Go tell it to the Singaporeans!
Today, their reclaimed island of Sentosa is a true real estate success story – worth millions, creating thousands of jobs and bringing in the tourist dollars that make many of us in Malaysia to salivate!
Is Sentosa a failed project? or Singapore a failed state?
You want Penang to stagnate? Give me a break!
In Singapore, LKY follow rules and regulations. In Penang, did LGe follows rules and regulations? Where is the EIA report? Build a Kancil car park also don’t follow rules, the building plan approval should be granted from MPPP also not sure! What kind of CM is this?
He (pushed through) sPICE, but DAP idiots are blinded as usual.
Tsk tsk tsk…..as usual….when push comes to shove your only retort is to insult. Wow…..very insighful.
Singapore PAP government must be an old school for monopolized all land reclamation projects in Singapore.
In case you and LGE are so short memory, Bayan Mutiara sold for 1 billion was a BN government project.
I know this because my rented house was on the coastal line prior to land reclaimed project. Japanese company took only 3 months to do the job, that was amazing.
Yes, UMNO/Gerakan Government has been building 2 bridges with island in the middle and Penang Port Commission under MCA chairman has been building ports. They are also party to the increased current flow in the channel and affect Gurney Drive. Why no EIA and hydrodynamic study of the Channel and it is U Must Not Object?
Because laws in Malaysia are designed to be broken, not be followed by our governments.
What are you waiting for? Do waste time in this blog. Bring up the Third FORCE. May the FORCE be with you.
This brings back the issue (forgotten conveniently) of the unfortunate drowning of Chung Ling High School dragon boat team members last year.
It was suspected that under current near the surface even at low tide cause the over turning of the boats, plus the shallow water of the channel did not help but caused restricted passage for the flow to accelerate in greater force.
Eu Soon, thanks for the data and research.
Unfortunately we are dealing with a BOY/GIRL Individual who is too confused to digest facts and rationalise.
Unfortunately we are dealing with a BOY/GIRL experience!
To be fair to Soon, but quite true in anilnetto.com.
Confusion reigns in the minds of the uninitiated (without special knowledge or experience).
Just my pinch of real salty salt on the ways of green horned discourse.
I see a number of them are DAP cybertroppers.
LGE recently is under defensive for many issues, DAP (people) are running loose.
I deleted many of such comments in my post because I am not a nice blogger.
The only MCA issue they can attack is CSL two years old porn video scandal.
DAP should lodge the police report against CSL for porn video, but they never did it.
Yes, when you can’t match them for facts or points you accuse them of being DAP cybertroopers. Well done again nkkhoo. What does that make you, I wonder?
CSL was caught with his pants down. PR has bigger fish to fry.
If you refer to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Guideline Document, there are policy and legal requirements that need to be fulfill before one is granted the land reclamation rights. The policy and legal requirements mandated that the following laws must be observed: 1) National Physical Plan , April 2005 2) Environment Quality Order (Prescribed Activities)( Environmental Impacts Assessment) 1987 3) Environmental Quality Regulations (Scheduled Waste) 2005 4) Environmental Quality Regulations (Clean Air) 1978 5) Environmental Quality Regulations (Sewage and Industrial Effluent) 1979 6) Town and Country Planning Act 7) Federal Department of Town and Country Planning One wonder whether… Read more »
If one wants to build a house, it can be any shape size or orientation as long as one comply the developer comply the above acts. It is not up to the CM. Likewise if Yankees wanted to build a food process plant, he has to comply with the waste and smell discharge. So it not up to the CM but the developer to ensure it comply with the acts. The developer has to has a hydraulic modeller engineer or researcher like DELFT to come up with the best coastal form to avoid coastal attack and to minimise sediment transport.… Read more »
Before when Gerakan Political Eunuch Ostrich was … around, that time has no social media to vent one’s frustration. Write to the MSM, most likely it would end up in the editor’s brainless dustbin.
Now with anilnetto.com and similar ‘outfits’ online, one can say it out loud to one’s content. Take it or leave it.
Get real. And many thanks to Anil.
You are welcome. Yes, KTK would have had a much tougher time had there been wider use of social media back then.
I am not sure you had used soc.culture.malaysia public forum or not.
That was the hottest social media in 1998 when Anwar was sacked, I still remembered MGG Pillai, LKS are active members over there.
I had posted 10,000 postings in three years. That was crazy!
Now with accessible social media, too bad or too good for LGE, depending on how he takes it in good faith.
How sad…..
it sounded that we have no alternatives other than to give out that piece of land.
Definately “DARI RAKYAT” but is this “UNTUK RAKYAT”?