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STATE-FEDERAL relations have again taken a dip, this time over alleged sand theft at a plot in Kampung Kenanga which had been earmarked for a government polytechnic. Pulau Betong assemblyman Muhamad Farid Saad has claimed that the state government was responsible for monitoring and enforcement over activities that occurred there, while Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the land belongs to the federal government under the Department of Lands and Mines, and that the state could not do anything to stop the project.
In view of the situation, CM Lim has also indicated that State Development Officer (SDO) Nik Ali Mat Yunus, who oversees the channelling of all federal allocations for projects in Penang, be responsible for the matter and alleged there was no cooperation on the matter from Nik Ali. Read here
Meanwhile, Nik Ali has denied any involvement in allowing the alleged illegal sand mining to occur or in the design of the Botanic Gardens arches. Read here. He said Lim was apparently ignorant of the role of the Federal Development Department, which Nik Ali heads, and has “blindly” criticised him in the past few weeks about three projects under the purview of the state government. Read here
These include the two controversial twin arches at the Botanic Gardens, one of which is tilting, that were only recently built for the Gardens’ expansion project by the Tourism Ministry. There would be more than RM150,000 losses over the scheduled demolition, all of which CM Lim insists should be borne by the federal government. “But if not, who is? Every sen counts, because it is a question of public trust," Lim said. Read here
The Penang state assembly's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will meet on Wednesday (21.07.10) to decide whom to call up for its inquiry into the alleged sand theft. Its chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said several government agencies might be asked to help find out who the sand thieves were. The PAC was expected to complete the investigation within a month to avert any speculation by the people in the matter. Read here Also, read here for what others have to say about the tension. Swiftlet guidelines
Swiftlet farming finally has a standardised set of formal guidelines along with a core plan to oversee its development. Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar said it is aimed at addressing issues like smell, noise and diseases while developing the RM1 billion industry in a holistic manner. Read here and here
The state government had earlier on made the decision to extend the moratorium against swiftlet breeding in George Town’s core heritage zone for another year last December in anticipation of federal guidelines. This had the NGOs and affected residents up in arms. Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) president Khoo Salma Nasution said the state government’s decision to extend the moratorium on the breeders would be a breach of Unesco’s heritage management guidelines as building guidelines and by-laws would be violated. George Town would run the risk of losing its heritage listing if there is no clampdown. Read here
In response to the new set of guidelines, Penang Heritage Trust council member Rebecca Duckett-Wilkinson, stated that none of the residents or stakeholders in George Town were granted access to a report that will affect their future. She indicated that it is now the responsibility of the state government and Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang (MPPP) to further act on the issue. The state and MPPP also have to decide the long term future of investments made by stakeholders attracted by the real potential of the vibrant heritage, culture and people of George Town. Read here and here Other news - Tengku Idaura is chief controller for Botanic Gardens: The state government has appointed Datuk Tengku Idaura Tengku Ibrahim as the Chief Controller for the Penang Botanic Gardens. Read here
- Rapid Penang launches real-time bus arrival system: Rapid Penang has launched its real-time bus arrival display system, the first of its kind, for stage buses in the country. Read here
- Hawkers support ban: The plan to enforce a ban on polystyrene containers at all food premises owned by the two municipal councils in Penang from Jan 1 next year has got the support of the Penang Hawkers Association. Association chairman Lam Tong Ying said its members supported the state government’s move to ban the item. Read here
- Done up to impress: Since the inner city heritage enclave of George Town made it into the prestigious Unesco World Heritage Site list, investors and locals have been busy restoring its old pre-war shophouses and turning them into boutique hotels and eateries. Read here
For more news on Penang from July 12 to 18, 2010 , please click here
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