BN leaders are challenged today to deny that in 2005 the then state government had proposed a mixed development project instead of public housing for the poor for Taman Manggis.
Penang housing state executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo, who issued the challenge, said the project included a proposal to build shop houses and government quarters.
Jagdeep claimed that the land was offered for sale to a private developer to execute the project.
"This fact is known to all, including the top leadership, in the previous state government," Jagdeep said at a press conference today.
"This challenge is issued so that those who made claims that the current Penang government did not allow housing for the poor on Taman Manggis can check and correct their facts.
"They should do this so that the previous BN leadership in the state government in 2005 do not feel embarrassed when I produce the proof (that states otherwise)," he added.
Jagdeep was referring to a state government memo - exposed by Gerakan - which allegedly revealed that Taman Maggis was earmarked for housing for the poor.
However, the memo dated July 2003 appeared to be only a proposal to build public housing.
The issue was raised as BN continues to pressure the DAP state government to build public house and affordable homes.
BN Youth, Perkasa and Gerakan Merah Malaysia held a rally in front of Taman Manggis yesterday to accuse Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng of "robbing land" meant for the poor.
The rally follows Umno Tasek Gelugor MP Shabudin Yahaya's accusation in Parliament that Lim had bought a bungalow on Jalan Pinhorn below market price.
Shabudin questioned if the property sale for RM2.8 million was linked to the sale of the Taman Manggis state land for RM11.5 million in 2010.
Lim had denied the allegations and the DAP cried "political persecution and victimisation".
Come forward, BN leaders told
State executive councillor cum state DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow expressed hope that the BN leaders who are still active in politics come forward and take up Jagdeep's challenge.
"For those who have retired, let them be, but those who are still active and previously held state exco posts, please answer Jagdeep," Chow said.
"Please check your facts; they are aware of what is on the documents, but did not say a thing," Chow said.
"They allowed their BN Youth wing to stage a rally and accuse others of all sort of things," he added.
"Do not hide the facts, if they (BN senior leaders) know the facts, they should not have allowed their people to rally with the extremist groups and make wild accusations against others," Chow stressed.
"The DAP vows to fight every allegation, point by point. We will fight lies with truth," he quipped.
After the press conference, Jagdeep and Chow accompanied reporters to Jalan SP Chelliah where 2,093 housing units are being build.
These include low-medium-cost homes costing RM72,000 each (770 units), affordable homes at RM200,000 each (883), at RM300,000 each (165), at RM400,000 each (275).
Jagdeep said the 1.1 acre Taman Manggis land was too small to build public housing, so the state government decided to use the 11 acre land on Jalan SP Chelliah for low-medium-cost and affordable housing. -Mkini
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