23 October 2017

Press statement by MCA Negeri Sembilan State Liaison Committee Chairman Dato’ Sri Dr Lim Chin Fui

How many more projects do not fit the specifications, Lim Guan Eng should be transparent about this

The Tanjung Bungah landslide tragedy has exposed the sheer negligence and ignorance of Penang state government in supervising development projects. As the state chief minister, Lim Guan Eng has to be held responsible for this matter.

Lim Guan Eng must ensure the probe conducted by the authorities is conducted in a transparent manner. No more hiding as this involves the sacrifice of innocent lives, and not just an individual or DAP.

In fact two weeks before the incident, Lim Guan Eng has dismissed the protests held by non-governmental organisations at the construction site as a ‘‘public nuisance’’. Now Lim Guan Eng is proved to be the one who is causing the ‘‘nuisance’’.

After becoming Penang chief minister in 2008, Lim Guan Eng is so arrogant and obsessed with self-indulgence. He turns a deaf ear to every advice given. Even more pathetic is that his ignorance has caused the loss of nearly 10 innocent lives.

Lim Guan Eng has also attempted to blame the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) government, which is ridiculous. This is because Lim Guan Eng has ruled Penang for nearly a decade. If he cannot fix the problem of the previous BN government, then he is having a big problem.

I call on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate this project thoroughly, as to determine why the Penang state government can approve the project even when it failed to fulfil the basic environmental regulations.

At this moment, it is imperative to provide emergency assistance to the families of landslide victims. Meanwhile, a comprehensive investigation must be conducted to determine the cause of the tragedy, ie. whether the project approval is in line with the standard operating procedures, so to seek justice for those killed.

The Ministry of Natural resources and Environment also revealed that the affordable housing project in Tanjung Bungah, has proceed despite rejection from the Department of Environment (DOE). After taking into account of all the criteria assessed, the DOE has issued a letter of rejection on 9^th January 2015. The reason being the absence of buffer zone between quarry and the construction site. Such conditions do not fulfil the Planned Industrial District Zoning Guideline. But why the Penang state government still approved it, which is likely the cause of the tragedy.

How many more development projects do not fulfil the specifications required? All of us deserve to know!

Dato’ Sri Dr Lim Chin Fui
MCA Negeri Sembilan State Liaison Committee Chairman
MCA SME Bureau Deputy Chairman

-MCA Online-