DAP rep ticked off for labelling NGO 'anti-Penang'

DAP lawmaker Daniel Gooi has been told to respect civil society after labelling an NGO "anti-Penang and stooges of the opposition" over its comments of the Sia Boey Canal rejuvenation project.

Human rights activist Stanley Sudhagaran told Malaysiakini today that Gooi's tirade against Penang Forum shows that he has much to learn about dealing with criticism.

"It only shows how ignorant you (Gooi) are of the role of civil society," he said.

"Please learn from Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow on how to engage with criticisms and rebut arguments with facts. Shame on you for your statement."

Gooi took aim at Penang Forum earlier today over a Facebook post questioning the yet to be completed Sia Boey Canal rejuvenation project along Prangin Road.

Besides terming the NGO "anti-Penang," the first-term Pengkalan Kota called the comments it made "disgusting."

Though admitting that the Sia Boey Canal looked pretty after rejuvenation works by the Penang government, Penang Forum questioned if the water was actually being cleaned before being released into the sea.

"So how did they (Penang government) do it? By diversion," the Facebook post read. 

"It’s wonderful that things look pretty on the surface, but surely everyone wants to see an improvement to the water quality. There’s no improvement in just ‘hiding’ the dirty water."

'DAP's official stand?'

Stanley urged DAP to state if Gooi's remarks are the party's official stance.

"If not, why is this statement being shared on DAP's Facebook page?" he asked.

"Certain local councillors, elected representatives including MPs, need tuition classes on the role civil society plays.

"It is a shame that these elected representatives forget their roots and come out with such statements about NGOs."

Stanley pointed out that civil society organisations are more concerned about the overall state of the rivers around the country.

"Is it a crime to demand sustainable action to clean our rivers?" 

Penang Port chairperson Jeffrey Chew, meanwhile, welcomed the rejuvenation of Sia Boey Canal. 

He said that as a student who travelled around Prangin in the 1980s, it was good that the Penang government was reviving the greying areas of the state.

"As a Penangite, this is the right step to set up a green lung in the urban area," he told Malaysiakini. "This is good for locals and tourists to meet at this unique space."

After a site visit by the chief minister on Saturday, photos of Sia Boey Canal teeming with fishes went viral on social media.

According to Chow, the rejuvenation project was launched on March 25 last year to transform Sia Boey into an area that facilitates the coexistence of development and heritage conservation.

He said the project will add value to George Town, a Unesco World Heritage Site.  - Mkini