The promotion of heritage awareness of Seberang Perai is long overdue but care but be taken to ensure that it doesn’t encourage property speculation and further drive up house prices, pushing them beyond the reach of ordinary residents.
Promote Province Wellesley heritage but curb property speculation
Batu Ferringhi residents launch petition against overdevelopment
Batu Ferringhi residents have launched an online petition expressing concern about high-rise high-density projects that could mar the tranquil setting (what remains of it) of this popular coastline.
This is the link to the petition.
Meanwhile, the Penang Structure Plan 2005-2020, which is the overriding planning document for Penang (just below the National Physical Plan), has this to say about the area. Note the densities specified:
Human rights lawyer Eric Paulsen’s arrest cause for concern
Feeling disturbed by the arrest and two-day remand of human rights lawyer Eric Paulsen over a tweet regarding Jakim.
GHAH press conf happening now in solidarity 4 Eric Paulsen charge under Sedition Act. @mandeepkarpall @SUARAMtweets pic.twitter.com/9Ku5qNJZfu
— BERSIH 2.0 (@bersih2) January 13, 2015
Soaring vegetable prices hurt household budgets
It is not only because of the floods that prices of vegetables have soared. The weakening ringgit may have made foreign vegetables cost more, while fuel price hikes last year may also have contributed to the price hike.
A heroic whistleblower is convicted
Update: Major Zaidi has been dismissed from the air force.
Major Zaidi obviously believed that the truth would set us free when he highlighted what many Malaysians were realising during GE13 – that the indelible ink was not really indelible. But this morning a military court found him guilty of two charges of violating protocol in speaking to the media without approval.
https://twitter.com/themmailonline/status/554469542429093888/
The PM’s spouse and the government VIP jet
A heated exchange of words took place in Parliament when Azmin Ali asked whether the PM’s spouse Rosmah is eligible to use the government VIP executive jet, whether the PM was involved in the approval of the use, and if it is proper for Rosmah to represent the country or government in foreign affairs.
This is what Batu Ferringhi could look like in the near future
Be prepared for more congestion in already congested Batu Ferringhi if this project goes through. And that’s just for starters.
Aliran to hold four young writers workshops in Penang, KL and Ipoh
Ever fancied writing about current issues? Aliran is organising a series of four writing workshops for youths (18-35) on various topics.
Those interested, may register online. Click on the image below for more details.
Two Penang Forum reps retained as MPPP, MPSP councillors
Two representatives of Penang Forum, Dr Lim Mah Hui and Dr Tiun Ling Ta have been retained as councillors of MPPP and MPSP respectively.
