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Tuesday, 14 July 2009 13:16 |
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THE ONGOING conflict in Kampung Buah Pala, while it is agonising for many involved, has in a paradoxical manner brought about a positive social effect – issues long-buried are now in the public realm and should contribute to future public debate about governance of the state.
Last week saw CM Lim Guan Eng, in an unprecedented move, declassifying files relating to village land. Read here. While the move may have been due to the mounting pressure on the CM to resolve this turmoil, it has also cleared up many questions with regards to the sale of the land and its subsequent effects. Read here and here.
Interestingly, the whereabouts of the actual Housing Trust document is still unknown. Read here
How this step would help the Kampung Buah Pala folks is left to be seen. Nonetheless the week also saw the Penang state government choosing to invoke Section 116 of the National Land Code, which requires the developer to have written permission from the state authorities before demolishing the houses. Read here. There were myriad reactions in response from many quarters to the announcement. Read here for reactions by Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn Bhd (developer involved), Penang Gerakan (here), ex Penang CM Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon (here), and prolific blogger Anil Netto (here) For more on SOCIAL ISSUES, read here Other interesting news this week - Johari’s one-month suspension: Johari Kassim, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) member of the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) who was sacked from his councillor's post recently, has made an open apology over the negative remarks he had made about the Penang government in the media. Following his apology, the Penang government cancelled his sacking but gave him a one-month suspension instead. Read here
- More ‘no plastic bags’ days likely: More days in a week will be designated “No Plastic Bags Day” in Penang. Read here and here
- 30 bids for Fort Cornwallis: The Penang Government has received over 30 bids from international and local companies interested in refurbishing and managing Fort Cornwallis, one of Penang’s most well-known landmarks with over 200 years of history. Read here
- Penang council urged to reconsider hotel directive: Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (Rehda) (Penang) wants the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) to reconsider imposing the 18m height or five-storey restriction for the four hotel projects. Read here
- Penang urged to adopt Italian model in preserving heritage properties: Initiatives to conserve Penang’s heritage properties could assume the Italian model which involves the collaboration between the private and public sectors, according to the Penang chapter of the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH). Read here
- Lim proposed as Penang Pakatan chairman: Penang PKR has proposed that Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng be appointed the state Pakatan Rakyat chairman. Read here
- AirAsia aims to park 10 planes in Penang to start new hub: Read here and here
- Vision to turn Penang into golfing haven: The Penang Government will look into ways to turn the state into a golfing haven in a move to further enhance its sports tourism. Read here
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