Free port - Now Najib contradicts Chang Yeow

Penang BN state chief Teng Chang Yeow is in hot water as Prime Minister Najib Razak had recently announced via a parliamentary reply that the concept of a free port no longer exists.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said this in reply to DAP’s Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong in Parliament on June 13 when asked about the island’s free port status.

Najib said that since Penang has five free trade zones and the concept of a free port no longer exists, the issue of Penang becoming a free port “does not arise”.

This appears to be a slap on Chang Yeow’s cheek as the newly-minted state chief had named the free port status as one of the BN’s pledges if it regains Penang in the coming election.

State DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow (left) was quick to castigate Chang Yeow, saying he started his term as chief with a “big bang” proposal, to reinstate the free port status for the island.

Chow said Chang Yeow had even said a proposal had been sent to Najib and the latter was looking at it “positively”.

“The big bang is coming to an end for Chang Yeow. Apparently Najib did not see it positively,” quipped Chow during a press conference in Penang today.

Chow said the DAP is “stunned” at the clarity of Najib’s parliamentary reply to one of its MPs.

The reply proves that the whole idea of a free port was a fantasy of Chang Yeow’s which has already been “torpedoed” by Penang BN’s Team B led by state Gerakan chief Dr Teng Hock Nan and Umno’s Teluk Bahang assemblyperson Dr Hilmi Yahya.

“It is really a case of One Malaysia, two Penang BNs and Three Port proposals,” said Chow.

“But the more important question is whether Chang Yeow had lied to Penangites when he said the PM viewed the free port proposal positively?” Chow asked.

“Can we still trust Chang Yeow’s word?” he further queried.