Penang Forum has issued a second statement on land reclamation:
In Penang Forum’s statement (27 November 2015) on the Umno land reclamation motion, we reiterated that the public has every right to know, and the State has every obligation to provide accurate and full information on major issues like massive land reclamation.
Flash floods struck South East Penang Island last night, on the same day when 60-70 Penangites participated in George Town in solidarity with a Global Climate March ahead of climate talks in Paris beginning today.
I originally put this on my blog on 8 October. I’m putting it up again, given the widespread interest that his murder continues to generate and the developments since. Kevin paid the ultimate price for his convictions, but I firmly believe his death won’t have been in vain.
This is something I wrote for the Herald to mark the funeral of Kevin Morais on 3 October.
This weekend, we pause to reflect on the funeral of deputy public prosecutor Anthony Kevin Morais, who was abducted and then believed to have been cruelly slain.
Penangites will be participating in a global climate march organised by avaaz.org tomorrow in George Town ahead of global climate talks in Paris.
The Penang Forum steering committee has released a media statement on the recent motion in the Penang State Assembly regarding the proposed 4,000 acre-land reclamation in southern Penang Island.
It does not necessarily follow that if you have open tenders, everything is transparent and above board. All kinds of funny things can happen including collusion among bidders, bid-rigging led by fixers, and the formation of cartels to submit bids that are not really serious. Project officials may also receive ‘commissions’ or whatever you may call it.
A large construction firm from China was debarred from bidding for World Bank projects following “fraudulent practices” in a major Philippines road improvement project. The World Bank has blacklisted China Communications Construction Company Ltd until January 2017.
There’s been a lot of politicisation of the motion on land reclamation in Penang while the real issues surrounding the deal are clouded and shrouded in secrecy.
A DAP rep also breaks ranks. The motion calls upon the state government to conduct public hearings for feedback, opinions and recommendations before proceeding with reclamation projects.
I am not sure I understand the logic behind the rationale given (see report below) for the rezoning of Botak Hill (from hill land to low density housing) by the State Planning Committee. Can anyone help me understand?