A non-governmental organisation (NGO) has slammed the Pakatan Rakyat government for allegedly turning Penang into a developers’ state.
The Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam (Cassa). which said this, claimed Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had “allowed developers to take control of the state.”
Cassa president and legal adviser Jacob George said that the state government was only concerned about its own vision of what development should take place.
He claimed it was disheartening how the state government prioritised economic interest over the people’s well-being.
“It’s all about what Lim and the rich investors want. There are no consultations with the grassroots, laymen and NGOs.
“Penang is becoming a fortress for the rich with the poor and middle class being alienated,” he alleged.
Alleging cracks in nearby buildings and construction work that goes on late into the night at big development sites in Gurney Drive and Jalan Kelawai, Jacob said the state government had failed to act on the complaints.
“In one case, the complainant was forced to make a police report after the developer discovered her identity and she felt threatened.
“Only in Penang, people are intimidated when they raise matters of public interest,” he claimed.
He alleged that Penang was a concrete jungle because there were too many high density apartments.
Jacob gave the state government a rating of “less than four” for its governance.
He said rosy investment figures were not a good barometer of development.
“We have to look at whether the people are happy. When Pakatan Rakyat came into power in 2008, it promised consultations with the people and to abolish corruption but they have not delivered.
“I raised several issues to Deputy Chief Minister Dr P. Ramasamy two years ago which till today, remain unresolved,” he said, adding that Cassa had received at least 500 complaints regarding such issues in the state.
He said it was unacceptable that each time a problem was raised with the state government, it would blame the previous administration.
He also called for a White Paper to be prepared on the controversial sale of land in Bayan Mutiara and for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate the deal.
He said Cassa was on a nationwide roadshow to raise public awareness on issues effecting the respective states before the next general election.
He was speaking at a press conference in Batu Ferringhi. Penang was Cassa’s first stop.
Those with complaints can contact the Cassa hotline at 016-326 1700. - By Christina Chin (The Star)
13 comments
The Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, go and fly kitelah.
We have our own consumer protection agency which is much more effective then you.
since childhood, i have always heard of only a consumer association in Malaysia, which is Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP), and was wondering why it's always CAP and is there no other consumer associations in Malaysia? after reading this article, it gave me another clue, consumer association like this never-heard-of CASSA should learn more about it's primary role and neutral stance to protect the consumers and not bowing to any other authority or external powers (like what clearly portrayed by this CASSA).
LGE non action against illegal traders around the Island is hurting Penangites badly. Look at the stretch from D'Residence till Queensbay. Illegal traders happily setup stalls with tables, playground and large projector TV, but no action taken despite numerous complain by nearby residence. What we heard is that an Exco member from PKR is oppose to any action taken against these trader as they are Malay traders. If this is true, then there is no difference from voting the eunuch Gerakan vs LGE led Penang. Either LGE sums up his gut, or be prepared to be shown the exit ala Tsu Koon way.
cassa knows better than Penangites???
Last time, cheap but end up abandoned. Now, expensive but high end project.
u better take care on your own business, this is penang. not your place in subang or shah alam. crazy issue
Haha Cassa ? What Is that? Go back to your home , stayaway from Penang if you felt so bad bout it. Who are you to qualify to rate Penang? Another crony wannabe Lo. I got 2 words for ya. F off!
hey cassa... listen u and u klites and selangorean... u people are toooooooo imbecilic to even talk bout Penang.... u bloody zombie autopilot materialistic ignorant scums... lay the f**k off from penang... in penang there are more and way more intellectual and matured people.... not like the stupid Klang valley society... so stay the F**k away.... we know how to harness our own real heaven called as penang.... f**k off again...
go and fight against the da:men development in the mid of teribbly jammed up place of USJ 2 junction by equine park... or go and fight against the mah sing's icon city development which is gonna drain the traffic into the ever-jammed up federal highway.... u dont even mind ur own fuckinn biznes u wanna peep into penang's affair... ur too child to come to penang side u Klang valley scums.... f off...
I m 100% for CASSA, this is Malaysia. SO, SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT!!!!!!!!!
Obviously this cassa is so jealous of what is becoming of Penang under the new PR government. Various survey and study showed that Penangites are more happy today than those during bn government to the extend PG were called darul sampah by Dr. M. Penang properties are booming, more FDI and all this left places like shah alam and subang deserted.
But I agree with pgkia88 that LGE should take serious action against the traders along the road site. But lets wait until GE13 over first we don't want TV 3 suku and utusan meloya to turn this into another umporno cheap political gains by playing racial card again.
Why would a consumer association in Subang and Shah Alam (unheard of) come all the way to Penang to condemn LGE's government?
Talking about concrete jungle, shouldn't they just open their home door and see how KL is now?
What a load of rubbish.
Can anyone tell me, has the taxi standard at the Penang International Airport improved or is it still the same as last year? or do I need to phone for a taxi to get decent transport to the city.