KUALA LUMPUR: Hillside development in Penang was approved by the previous Barisan Nasional state government and the current DAP-led Penang government can’t do anything about it, says DAP state executive councillor Phee Bon Poh.
The state Environment, Health and Caring Society Welfare exco told The Mole the Penang government could not stop the approved hillside projects as they might have to face lawsuits and bear the losses incurred by the developers.
“We will not take the blame of these approved projects. However, we have taken up the responsibility to ensure that these projects will follow the stringent guidelines imposed on them,” Phee said.
He was commenting on a blog post by Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-president Huan Cheng Guan who wrote that Penangites were backstabbed by DAP with unfulfilled promises on various issues including the hillside development at Sungai Ara and Batu Feringghi.
Phee who is the Sungai Puyu state assemblyman said the state government had done its best in putting a stop to hillside projects.
Citing a Boustead Holdings Berhad project in George Town as an example, Phee said the state government had to pay RM 20 million to the company as compensation for scaling down their hotel in the heritage zone from the planned 12-storey to five storeys.
The Edge had reported the project, approved by the previous state government originally comprised the development of a 12-storey four-star hotel with 293 rooms and the restoration of a three-storey Heritage Building at No 1 & 2 Weld Quay, Penang on a 1.195-acre site.
“So now you tell me, why should we take the blame when it has been approved by the previous government?
“It is the Penang people who will have to bear the losses if we cancel the development projects. We need to pay to developers for the losses incurred.”
“We have to raise assessment tax to the Penang people. It is not fair to them,” Phee added.
Penang government was under scrutiny from many quarters including environmental NGO Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and Consumer Association of Penang (CAP) which organised a protest against the hillside development.
Penang BN chairman Teng Chang Yeow toldThe Mole that the state government must admit that there were some excessive and unjustified developments on the island that irked residents.
The Star reported that DAP state assemblyman for Tanjung Bungah Teh Yee Cheu had lashed out against hillside developments.
The had demanded the state government to stop all such projects especially those at his constituency and the Batu Ferringhi seafront.
Phee however said that Teh’s statement was manipulated by The Star and that his fellow DAP state assemblyman lacked information pertaining the hillside development projects.
“Teh is not an exco. There are a lot of things he is not aware of (on development projects). I believe he issued the statement without malice but his statement was manipulated.
“I will meet him to explain and clarify the matter soon,” Phee added.
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