CM scraps reclamation deal, listens to the rakyat

The Bayan Bay community today affirms their trust and belief with the Pakatan Rakyat led State Government as Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng scraps a reclamation deal with Boustead Holdings Berhad (BHB), and paid attention instead to the voice of the rakyat of the Pantai Jerejak constituency.

The reclamation deal was a result of a botched development deal made by the previous Barisan Nasional government, approved back in April 2007; with the plans approved in February 2008, a month before the political tsunami of March 08 hit Penang. The proposed development of a twelve storey hotel by BHB was against the conditions imposed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for George Town's World Heritage City Status and was thus halted in 2009.

A revised building plan reducing the hotel from 12 storeys to only 5 was then submitted in consideration of the State Government agreeing to a reclamation deal along the coastal area off Queensbay. The Chief Minister however postponed the signing ceremony scheduled in June this year as he wanted to listen to the view of the residents in the area and Pantai Jerejak Assemblyman YB Sim Tze Tin.

In a statement today the Chief Minister decides not to pursue the land reclamation at Bayan Bay to BHB, also because of the legal notice of defamation issued by BHB to YB Sim over his remarks in merely defending the interests of his constituents.

“The Penang State Government only submits to the people of Penang,” says Lim. “To pursue the land reclamation under the shadow of the legal notice of defamation sent by BHB to YB Sim is wholly inappropriate. The State Government views such act with displeasure as it is a form of pressure exerted on the State Government.”

Lim also reminds the residents of the Bayan Bay area who were also present at the press conference today that, “Those who claimed to protect your interest are the one who initiated the problem in the first place.”

The Bayan Bay community took the opportunity to express their gratitude to the Chief Minister, that though he was taking a big toll on the decision, he puts the interest of the Rakyat first above all else. “If you continue helping the rakyat, we will always support you,” says a representative. “The Rakyat has to face the consequences due to problems made by previous government.”

Further negotiations with BHB will decide on whether there will be any form of compensation. - BuletinMutiara