BN didn’t give away rights over reclaimed land, says Gerakan

 

State Gerakan chief Oh Tong Keong says Barisan Nasional granted only leases of 59 or 99 years on reclaimed land. (Bernama pic)

GEORGE TOWN: Reclamation projects in Penang during Barisan Nasional’s time in power were focused on spurring industries and housing, but became developer-centric when the Pakatan Harapan took over, said Gerakan, which had helmed BN in the state then.

State Gerakan chief Oh Tong Keong said that during BN’s administration, reclaimed lands were leased to interested parties for development, but the practice changed under the PH administration with reclaimed lands being given away to developers, with no state interest.

“During the BN administration, reclaimed lands were leased for the use for development on a 59 or 99-year lease.

“But today, the state government has surrendered reclaimed lands to developers where they are free to do whatever they like. So, what is in it for Penangites? Do all the benefits go to the developers?” he asked in a statement today.

Oh was responding to chief minister Chow Kon Yeow’s recent rebuttal against those who had objected to the Penang South Reclamation project.

Separately, Oh also slammed Chow for being critical of civil society groups that objected to the project. He said some of the groups that objected comprised academics and professionals who were authorities on the subject.

Oh said it was wrong to dismiss what the NGOs feel. “Does Chow think an online petition with 120,000 objecting against the Penang South Reclamation is not telling enough?”

An online social media campaign against the project saw a tidal wave of support in recent days, adding to growing calls for its cancellation.

A “Twitter storm” initiated by users Penang Tolak Tambak on World Environment Day on Saturday propelled the cause to the attention of social media users nationwide, with the hashtag #PenangTolakTambak trending in Malaysia and their account managing to reach over 300,000 impressions in just a day.

The PSR is the state government’s plans to reclaim three islands totalling 4,500 acres off the south coast of the island which is to be sold to fund the RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan. - FMT