PKR rep to battle Boustead's reclamation move

PKR Pantai Jerejak assemblyperson Sim Tze Tzin says he will not succumb to pressure from powerful corporations for his opposition to a land reclamation project in Bayan Bay, which falls under his constituency.

He will also not apologise to Boustead Holdings Bhd, as the company has demanded, for his statements on the project.

Boustead in its demand letter also said it will sue Sim for RM1 million.

Sim (left) said a statement he made on Oct 2 last year on the matter, titled "People Before Profits - Objections to Boustead Land Reclamation Project", was to express his objections but it appeared to have offended the company.

"It is seeking RM1 million in damages and has issued a final letter of demand to my lawyer," he told reporters in Penang today.

"I want to reiterate my unwavering objection to the proposed project. It is my duty to speak up against powerful giant corporations and to represent my constituency in objecting to projects that will affect their lives," Sim added.

Seven -day apology demand

Bousted, through its law firm Azzat & Izzat, issued Sim a demand letter on Jan 16, giving him seven days to retract his statement, apologise and pay RM1 million in damages to the company for defaming it.

The company said it was offended by Sim's statement in the press, which implied that Boustead was not mindful of its corporate social responsibilities and was closely linked to Umno.

It has also taken offence at Sim's claim that Boustead was seeking compensation from the state government by simply reducing the height of its proposed highrise hotel in George Town to comply with Unesco's World Heritage Zone guideline.

Bousted cited reports in Malaysiakini, English language dailies The Star and The Sun and Chinese language daily Nanyang Siang Pau as the basis for its demand.

The 100-acre reclamation project in Bayan Bay has irked the residents in Putra Marine, Gold Coast, Bay Garden and the surrounding areas, who are unhappy with the project.

Coporate giants big bullies

Sim said in general, giant corporations were now wielding more and more influence and that their actions were affecting helpless citizens.

Elsewhere, these citizens were fighting back, such as in the 'Occupy Wall Street" movement in the United States.

While he does not have executive power to face up to these mega companies, Sim said, as a state representative, "I believe in what I am doing ... I am fighting for the rights of my voters and will not succumb to the pressure from giants".

He also thanked Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for cancelling the land reclamation project, adding that the state's decision followed the defamation notice Boustead sent him.