AN ONLINE poll on whether the Penang Botanic Gardens controversial arches should remain or not, conducted by the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia, officially closed yesterday (15.06.10) with 66 per cent saying “no” to the arches and 34 per cent saying “yes”. Read here

The ministry, opted to conduct a public survey amidst an outcry over the expansion plans being carried out at the Gardens, helmed by Friends of the Penang Botanic Gardens Society (FOPBGS) (read here).  “The study will determine the ministry’s next step and course of action with input of various parties in the state,” the ministry stated. Read here

Nonetheless, the Penang Botanic Gardens Working Group claimed in that the polls had been “hijacked to serve personal agendas...The online system used by the ministry has very low level protection against re-voting. The ministry’s poll has been compromised by the lack of integrity and honesty.” Read here

The Tourism Ministry, however, responded by stating that the online poll was only “one of the many measures to gauge public feedback on the controversial structures...The poll was launched as a preliminary gauge. In view of the issue of reliability and validity of the online poll, the public can be assured that we will not base our decision solely on its results.” Read here

Also, read this article for a better insight on how the lack of public consultation has led to an expansion plan that could do more harm than help.

Other news

• NGOs form legal panel on FOI adoption: A coalition of NGOs has formed a legal panel to study how the Selangor government's Freedom of Information draft bill can be adopted for Penang. Read here
• Camera design centre in Penang: Malaysia's first camera design centre is expected to be set up in Penang by year-end. Read here
• Plan to build Hakka Museum: The Penang Khek Association will identify a suitable land in Balik Pulau to build a Hakka Heritage Museum. Read here
• Ample sugar stocks in Penang: There is no shortage of cooking oil, flour, rice or sugar in Penang, said the state government. State Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Abdul Malik Kassim said there is enough supply of controlled items in the state, and there was no need for panic purchase of the items. Read here
• Late dragon boat trio’s charity dream fulfilled: The dream of three former Leo Club members of Chung Ling High School to raise funds for the needy has been fulfilled – nearly five months after their death in a dragon boat tragedy. Read here

For more news on Penang from June 7 to 13, 2010 , please click here

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