Penang, Government of Competency, Accountability and Transparency: Deceit, Lies and Typically Hypocrite, Part 1

Should Pakatan Rakyat coalition (now Pakatan Harapan) wins a Parliamentary and 4 state assembly seats in Penang in the 2008 General Election, the Sg. Nyior toll will be abolished, an entry to the DAP website on February 2007. 

Knowingly the toll is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, regardless, Lim Guan Eng and his ambitious coalition harp on the public and voters sentiments to deny Barisan Nasional a win in Penang. 

They won and head the state administration. Question is, did Lim and his cohort kept their promise? It is important to note, they are not committed nor sincere except to their political agenda and personal cause behind the play; defending the people and Democracy. Then, they excused from the matter that it would be resolved when took over Putrajaya.

Since taking office of the Penang state administration, more lands are being bulldozed, making way for luxury development projects by Lim Guan Eng’s cronies such as:

. Sri Tanjung Pinang Phases 1 and 2 (about 1,000 acres of reclaimed land) at Tanjung Tokong by E & O
. Penang Undersea Tunnel and the Wellness City of Dreams (50 acres of reclaimed land near Gurney Plaza) by Consortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd and Ewein Berhad
. The Light (on reclaimed land) along the Jelutong expressway by IJM Land Bhd
. Penang World City (includes reclaimed land) at Bayan Mutiara by Tropicana Ivory Sdn Bhd
. Queens Waterfront project (includes reclaimed land) at the Queensbay Mall coastline developed by Ideal Property
. Pulau Jerejak, resort, hotels and residential handed from PDC to Q Island Develoment (subsidiary to Ideal Properties) joint venture with UDA Holdings
. Southbay City and Southbay Plaza at Batu Maung, Bayan Lepas by Mah Sing Group
. Southern Reclamation Scheme (almost 4,500 acres of reclaimed land) at Bayan Lepas-Gertak Sanggul stretches by SRS Consortium (comprise of Gamuda, Ideal Properties and Boon Siew Group)

The list of luxury development project goes on, to project Penang an upscale modern living to attract investors. A couple of the luxury development projects had their genesis during the BN administration; pre 2008 and post 2008 poised the greater part of Lim’s investment agenda, allowing more reclaimed lands (namely the shoreline) to quench his cronies thirst. 

Lim Guan Eng has earned the title “Penang Land Broker” for failing to disclose sale of state land from the people of Penang to private sector; a modus operandi to squeeze and skim money from them and the state’s asset. 

While Lim professed and try to project a good image of a transparent administration, the same is not seen in his household. His wife, Betty Chew, a practicing lawyer accepts the offer to assume office of private or public entities. Let alone Rainbow or Phaik Kheng temporary stay, if went unnoticed by the public.

Overture of Greed and Hypocrisy in Penang

An influential environmental activist, Wendell Berry in his book in 1971 emphasized the preservation of natural areas and adapting a long range perspective on environment, employed the adage which has since cited and expressed in numerous environmental talks and publications to date. 

“We have not inherited this earth from our parents to do with it what we will. We have borrowed it from our children and we must be careful to use it in their interests as well as our own.” 

Penang has enjoyed the center of attraction for its sandy beach and hills, a heritage that charms the British colonial. The lush green hill tops became the choice for residence of the affluent and the populace for cool and calming visits. 

on top of Bukit Botak, due to rampant illegal activities  

Sadly, the state government and its agencies is concerned of luxury developments, reclamation of the shoreline and mega projects to lure investors and market as tourism product. It bothers them not of illegal hill clearing activities under their nose. 

hill stretch at Sg Ara. Highlighting excavators at work

Bald patches are noticeable on several parts of the island and the mainland while driving or from aerial view. The photos accompanied shows deforested hill of unauthorized activities and without action taken in the infamous Bukit Relau off Jalan Bukit Gambier which is dubbed the “Bukit Botak”, Bukit Laksamana, Telok Bahang dam, the hill stretch at Sungai Ara. 

Bkt Laksamana, Telok Bahang land clearing
about 1km away from water catchment

These illegal land clearings are carried out by irresponsible developers or contractors or farmer farmers without approval from the authorities. Members of the public has forwarded information on such acts, yet has fallen to deaf ears or actions procrastinated by the vested authorities.

Patches of  illegal clearing at Penang Hill

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng during the state assembly sitting in November 2015, assured the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) are using drones to check on illegal hill clearings and CCTVs would be installed in 2016 to monitor illegal earthworks, is a frequent hypocrisy. 

Monitoring devoid actions on the defaulters, Mr Chief Minister?

The Fate of Penangites’ Under DAP Led Government

It is most unfortunate to Penangites since the state government of Penang led by DAP took over BN in 2008. The plight of Penangites has actually taken a back seat, since the state government has steered away from responsibilities and polishing ego. 

The weather too has taken some Penangites at bay and dire need of assistance in the year end monsoon cycle. Within the span of two weeks, flood has hit Mukim 12, Batu Maung, Penang; on the 24th October, 1st and 4th November. 

Those affected evidently of the hardworking Penangites has their arms full! Their homes has to be cleanse tirelessly soon after returning from temporary flood shelter and sacrificed their work days. Their work leaves exhausted on unfinished cleaning and tidying homes. Indeed it is NOT a fun day unlike frolicking under the sun. 

This morning, a heavy rain pour has caused flood in some areas in Bayan Baru and Bukit Jambul. Some nearby areas in Taman Lip Sin and Batu Maung are affected too. Penang is going through wet days, especially to those living on the island and in the lowlands. 

The state government however is concerned with blaming the Federal Government, in the event of such calamity, instead of addressing and working on a concerted effort resolving the beckoning subject. The people of Penang has to brace themselves in these difficult and challenging times with grim faces of the state government’s indifference. 

Oddly, the state government willingly spent RM305 million on paperwork for a project of prominence compared to the flood problems experienced by the ordinary Joe.

Penangites’ Future Seems Bleak…

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, bodacious accusations on the Federal Government of sabotaging foreign direct investment (FDI) into the state, could be interpreted as a hard and loud retaliatory act against the two graft related offences while in the office. 

The outbursts and conduct unbecoming of the Chief Minister and his goons, certainly has impacted the people of the state due to inept administration and poor relationship with the Federal government resulting in deteriorating investments and future of Penangites. 

The negative perception by Lim and his administration made the headlines not restricting the domestic borders but across the economic globe is well translated through the FDI and domestic investments into the state over the span of five years:

• Year 2011 – MIDA approved RM9.1 billion of RM56.1 billion investments; 109 projects (DI; RM1.96 billion and FDI; RM7.146 billion). Penang ranks First.
• Year 2012 – MIDA approved RM2.471 billion of RM41.1 billion investments. 115 projects (DI; RM1.344 billion and FDI; RM1.126 billion).
• Year 2013 – RM3.912 billion of RM52.1 billion worth of investment was approved by MIDA to Penang. 119 projects (DI; RM2.117 billion and FDI; RM1.794 billion). Penang, ranked Fourth.
• Year 2014 – Penang’s approved investment stood at RM8.16 billion of RM71.852 billion total investment to Malaysia. 169 projects (DI; RM3.048 billion and FDI; RM5.113 billion). Penang took Third position.
• Year 2015 – RM6.724 billion of RM74.693 billion approved investment went to Penang. 107 projects worth (DI; RM2:22 billion and FDI; RM4:49 billion). Penang at Fifth rank.
• Year 2016 (Jan - Jun) – RM2.668 billion approved by MIDA in 52 projects of RM19.621 billion total investment. Penang was positioned Third.

- Source: MIDA yearly reports. 

Question: Chief Minister Lim, would an Oil and Gas (O & G) investment or any industries without facilitation or infrastructures considered a fair arrangement with preference given to Penang? 

Obviously, the statistics reflected a downward trajectory; whereupon Penang no longer an attraction to top high tech investments. Lim and his administration, now faces reality of their undoing. The huge investments enjoyed in Penang previously are much credited to the BN led government, while the current state administration joyously claims credit. 

One noticeable reaction by the state government is the constant denials of which now turned to a blame game. Nothing constructive or bold efforts to mend the ties.