GEORGE TOWN - The 'Mazu Island' issue was brought up again in the state assembly, with both leaders from the government and opposition were at loggerheads about it.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (Air Puteh - DAP), in his winding up speech, slammed the opposition for alleging that the state had changed Pulau Jerejak name to Mazu Island.
State Opposition head Datuk Jahara Hamid (Teluk Ayer Tawar - BN) then stood up to say that she had not mentioned the state government had done so and it was not in the Hansard.
"I had said that the (Mazu) temple operator had changed the name, make it a place of worship.
"The whole Penang wants to know what had happened. I am not making speculation. Why is it being manipulated into a racist issue?" she asked, adding that no action was taken on the issue.
In response, Lim said that when the matter was brought up in the state assembly on Monday, Jahara had showed a picture of him and the operator, saying that it is a picture of "Lim and a good friend."
"What were you trying to imply there?
"I have my picture taken with many people," he said.
Illegal?
To Jahara's question on whether any actions will be taken against the temple if it was illegal, Lim said that it will be done in the right time.
Later in a separate press conference, Jahara said that based on a survey done by her officers in Pulau Jerejak recently, they found that there were many other shrines that were set up around the island.
"The island is becoming a place of worship," she said, questioning if these shrines, built on the trees and rocks, have been approved by the local council.
Muhamad Farid Saad (Pulau Betong -BN), in the same press conference, said that these shrines had been set up for several years.
"These places of worship did not just appear overnight, but over a certain period of time.
"The state officials should know what is going on," he added.
On another matter, Jahara pointed out that there are several illegal fish rearing ponds that were set up around Pulau Jerejak, which she alleged is stopping Pulau Jerejak Resort from carrying out its Phase 3 development project.
"The development could not be carried out because of these ponds, half of which do not have Temporary Operating License (TOL)," she claimed.
Jahara expressed hope that the local authorities would investigate the matter and handle it accordingly. - The Sundaily
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