I can’t say I was surprised to read reports that the Selangor MB appeared less than unequivocal in expressing opposition to PNB’s proposed mega tower.
His subsequent back-tracking on his initial apparent support for the project was reported in the Malaysian Insider here.
Apparently, the 240,000-strong Facebook opposition to the tower didn’tt seem to count for very much – nor Anwar’s and Khalid Samad’s vocal opposition to the tower. As if PKR didn’t have enough problems as it is!
So far, more than 20 people have applied to contest polls to become civil society’s nominees to serve as MPPP or MPSP councillors.
Information on the potential candidates is being uploaded onto the Penang Forum website. Closing date for applications to contest the elections is tomorrow. (The application form is available on the PF website.) Polling will be on 14 Nov.
Have a look at this video clip.
The Sarawak Report has the story here.
Tram engineer Ric Francis has responded to a newspaper report about a proposal for a no-car zone in George Town.
I read with interest your article on Heritage Area car free, I have pushed this subject with Government Officials included with my Tramway in Heritage Area, I know things take time to happen in Penang, but this idea would work with my suggestion on a Tramway
Ric Francis
Tramway Engineer
Vice-President
Perth Electric Tramway
Perth, Western Australia
Meanwhile, one political economist has said there is no reason why trams cannot be eventually extended all over Penang. He noted that trams are used extensively and effectively over long stretches in cities such as Amsterdam and Berlin.
More than 90 per cent of close to 5,000 respondents have voted a resounding ‘No’ to the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) on a poll put up on the Customs Department’s website.
You can still vote here.
Latest updates from polling day for Galas and Batu Sapi by-elections.
A proposal for a no-car zone in the heritage enclave could be deliberated in the MPPP’s next full council meeting.
State exco member Lydia Ong reportedly made the suggestion to MPPP president Patahiyah Ismail, who seemed receptive to the idea. She suggested that certain parts of the heritage enclave and the Esplanade could be made off limits to cars from 6.00am to 2.00pm on Sundays.
Najib’s recent announcement that a 100-storey tower will be built in the capital by a government investment fund comes as global liquidity is flooding the region and raises concerns the project could represent the front end of a coming new crisis.
Najib unveiled the plans for the tower, to be known as the Warisan Merdeka, or Independence Heritage, on 15 October. Two weeks later, Asian Development Bank chief Huruhiko Kuroda warned of two risks facing developing Asian economies like Malaysia: that the recovery in developed economies could be elusive and speculative capital inflows into developing economies could prove volatile.
Some folks have struck jackpot over in Galas. Seems like it’s raining money over there. (Ho hum, so what else is new in such ‘buy’ elections.)
Check out this Merdeka Review piece. Before that, we read reports of Pas allegedly offering RM200-RM250 in transport costs to out-of-town voters and Umno allegedly handing out cash to party ‘election workers’.