Guan Eng apologises for maintaining BN era illegal factories

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today apologised if the state's policy of maintaining illegal structures from the BN era had caused problems for the people.

"I don't deny that due to the state government's policy of maintaining all structures prior to 2008, such as the Sungai Lembu factory which was built before 2008 and inherited from the BN state government, it had caused negative effects on the people.

"I would like to apologise on behalf of the state government for the policy if it had caused problems for the people," he told journalists in Georgetown today.

The government's inaction over the Sungai Lembu carbon filtering factory, which was illegally set up in 2007, had sparked a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) probe and the arrest of Penang exco Phee Boon Poh.

Phee (photo) had allegedly instructed the local council to hold back action against the factory.

Lim said it was the DAP-led government's policy when it came to power in 2008 that there would be no arbitrary demolition of illegal structures, and they would instead go through a legalisation process.

He added that this did not only include factories but also stalls, as long as they did not impede traffic or is detrimental to public interest.

Lim said action was only taken against illegal structures which were built after 2008 and even these were done in a humane manner.

"I also would like to apologise to traders who were dissatisfied when demolition happens but we must be consistent in carrying out the state's policy.

"Some people ask why we demolish this (structure) but not that (structure) but they do not mention that one was built before 2008 and the one that was demolished was built after 2008," he said.

Lim also questioned why BN did not demolish the illegal factory when it was in power if it was so keen to do so.

"When we demolish, BN criticises us. When we don't demolish, BN also criticises us. So we want to know what's BN's real stance," he said.

Apart from Phee, two of the factory's owners were also arrested. The men were freed yesterday.

Meanwhile, Oriental Daily reported that the owner's son who only wanted to know as Gan, said his father planned to close down the factory.

Gan said his 70-year-old father had previously submitted an application for legalisation but failed to receive approval from the local council.

"We decided not to continue with the business anymore, especially because my father is old and this kind of mental pressure (of being arrested and put under the national spotlight) is not good for him," he was quoted as saying. - Mkini