Jimmy Leow

As the state assemblyman of Pantai Jerejak, Pulau Jerejak is part of my constituency. I would like to urge The Penang State Government to stop the bleed and stop future UDA-PDC joint development of Pulau Jerejak.

The State Government has already lost RM30million in this UDA-PDC venture. Out of which RM 15.435 million was investment to TIR, RM3.6 mil loan and RM 11mil unpaid land premium. This is a huge lost to the state coffers and Penangites. It does not make sense to further develop the island with current lost-making venture. Please stop the bleed.

I also welcome the Parliament Public Account Committee Chairman Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid’s statement that the Auditor General should compile a special report on the Pulau Jerejak Resort Development. The matter is urgent and it is losing public money. The  previous State Government under the leadership of former Chief Minister Tan Sri Koh Tsu Khoon has made several wrong decisions on Pulau Jerejak Development. First, they have given all usable land to UDA. There are 4 phases of developments under UDA-PDC joint venture. The Tropical Island Resort is just the first phase of the development. The Second, third and fourth phase including luxury homes with private marina and medical tourism projects are all “white elephant” in nature. These further developments will not benefit the ordinary Penangites.

I would like to urge the State Government to reject all these further development. The PDC should stop further funding to these “white elephant” projects.

Second major wrong decision was to approve building water storage tanks on the northern part of the island. This has scarred the beauty of this beautiful island. It has also taken a large piece of land that prevent future development of the island. The PBA must try as much as possible to replant trees that have been chopped down to make way for construction.

Pulau Jerejak is an Island full of potential. It has now been gazetted to become a State Park. Development of the island should be along the same direction that is eco-tourism. My suggestion to the state government is to acquire the controlling stake of the development from UDA. UDA has failed in the development and now currently struggling to up keep Tropical Island Resort. UDA is not an expert in running resort and hotels. They should focus on their founding objectives that is Urban Development.

Tan Sri Koh Tsu Khoon must help to return the controlling stake to the people of Penang. UDA is a far-away developer in KL. They do not understand the situation in Penang. Tan Sri Koh must act on the benefit of Penangites, return the controlling stake to PDC now.

PIP Property Summit 2010 is the first ever Property Trade Show & Forum held in Penang for the principals of property related companies and agencies to meet and network. The Summit enables leading property companies in both the country and region to showcase their projects, products and services, with emphasis on quality and value for money. Thus, the show is limited to only 20 major exhibitors. The Property Summit provides critical awareness of both local and regional trends in the property market to the industry players.

CJ Jimmy Leow spoke to the some main players in the industry at the expo.

Video by Jimmy Leow

The “Hari Malaysia” concert in Penang has been cancelled as Malaysian top artist Dato Siti Nurhaliza has been advised by her doctor to avoid strenuous activities including performing in any concert for the time being. Therefore, the concert which is scheduled to be held on the 25 Sept is cancelled.

Video by Jimmy Leow, Citizen Journalist

Pulau Betong inshore fishermen encountered commercial trawlers encroaching into their fishing grounds and took some photos of the trawlers and its position. They made a police report and related the incident to CJ Jimmy Leow,

Video by Jimmy Leow, Citizen Journalist

In the spirit of peace and tranquility, I wish a very happy Wesak day to all Buddhists in Penang and Malaysia. On this auspices day, we are reminded of the teachings of Lord Buddha who among other things has preached enlightenment and tolerance.

The Penang Government in conjunction with Wesak Day celebrations would like to express our intent to promote a healthier and more responsible lifestyle for Penang families. We are concerned at the excessively high number of draws -12 draws or special draws conducted weekly by the three gaming companies licensed by the BN government, which should be reduced.

The Penang state government is not opposed to betting or gaming outlets in Penang. However we are concerned at the excessive number of draws and special draws being conducted by these licensed operators have placed a very heavy burden on many families. Many of the breadwinners feel obliged to ‘chase’ after each draw with all three operators resulting in substantial loss of income to the family and their children.

Therefore, in order to discourage the excessive number of draws and special draws as well as to promote a healthier social fabric, the Penang state government has decided to reject the application of the new sports betting licensee, Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd or other related parties to conduct the sports betting business in Penang.

Under the Local Government Act Section 101(v), the local council is empowered to deal with issues concerning the municipality’s safety, health and convenience.

The Penang government believes in the right of the people to partake in gaming activities and hence will not ban the number of gaming shop of activities.  However, the Penang state government feels that the number of draws and special draws should not be too excessive and  be reduced  so that they do not become addictive and destructive to our healthy lifestyles.

Penang state government is not in favour of the BN Federal Government decision  early this month to award the sports betting license now in the interest of protecting the Malaysian social fabric and reducing the negative economic impact on them. We will be writing to the sport betting concessionaire to inform them of the Penang government’s decision.

Penang State Government shall direct The Two Local Councils MPPP & MPSP To Exercise Section 101(v) Of The Local Government Act To Bar Sports Betting In Penang Given By BN To Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd.

Once again a very Happy Wesak Day to all Penangites and Malaysians.

Lim Guan Eng

Environmental sustainability, which means to ensure resources used today are still available to be used tomorrow, has been integrated into local and global economic growth strategies. The Penang state government is committed to protect, preserve and promote the environment for our future generation. Over the last 16 months, Penang has been focusing on several programmes which contribute to reducing carbon emission, such as waste-reduction, tree-planting, river-cleaning and integrated transportation master plan. Since last year until June 2009, the state has planted 87,939 trees.

In the effort to become the first green state in Malaysia, the state government has initiated a campaign to reduce plastic bag consumption. In July Penang became the first state to launch “No Plastic Mondays” by imposing a charge of 20 cents per plastic bag. All hyper/supermarkets have stopped giving out free plastic bags on Mondays. The state is considering to extend this campaign to many days per week over the next few months. In making Penang an international city which is the investment city of choice for investors, transforming Penang into an a preferred tourist location and Penang becoming the habitat city of choice for all residents who want a city that has sustainable development, cleanliness is one of the most important issues seriously looked into it.

One of the priorities is to clean up Sungai Pinang, to get it off the infamous listing of being one of the seven most polluted rivers in Malaysia. The state has been engaging with EM experts in Penang to design a proper system to clean up Sg. Pinang with EM technology and take Sg. Pinang out of the list of the “Infamous Seven” as soon as possible. At the same time, priority should be also be given to Sungai Juru as well.

This is in line with the state government goals to create a green environment for all of us to live in. Over the last 6 months EM technology has proven itself to be effective in cleaning up of two of our rivers namely Sg. Kelian in Tanjung Bungah and Sungai Mas in Batu Ferringhi. Taking water quality data would not be accurate at this moment because not the whole river has been treated with EM technology as yet.

But we can see with our eyes that many feet of sludge which has been accumulated over the last 20 years has disappeared, smell with our nose that the foul odor at the estuary of the river have also greatly reduced, touch with our hands that fishes are coming back again in the river. A clean river system will help Penang become the front green state in Malaysia.

To succeed, Penangites need the support from all including the private sector.

If Not For Sumatra, we will probably see the same devastation inflicted by the tsunami in Bandar Aceh and Padang on the west side of Penang island. Thousands will perish, buildings crumbled, injured by the thousands.

The whole stretch of Teluk Kumbar, Bedong Island and Balik Pulau will probably be washed away by four to ten meter high tsunami created by the recent strings of earthquake at Padang, Sumatra. From the view of Bukit Genting, half of the west coast of Penang island will be flooded.

On the east side of the island, the smaller waves invade the industry area, destroying factories at the Bayan Lepas industrial zone and not forgeting the residential areas where condominiums and shopping malls are built ridiciuosly near to the shores. One will also see the destruction of a resort at Pulau Jerejak.

The bridge which connects the mainland to Penang island will also be partly destroyed due to the massive waves created by the earthquake. Will we be able to rebuild Penang in such a short time? Will Penang survive? Will the coastal towns on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia survive such devastation?

The death toll in the Padang earthquake disaster in Indonesia rose to 603 while hundreds more are believed to be trapped in collapsed buildings in the west Sumatran city and mudslides that swept through entire villages in its outskirts.

According to official figures released by West Sumatra’s Disaster Management Agency recently, 785 people were seriously injured with some requiring surgery while those with non-life threatening injuires exceeded 3,400 people.

EnterinG the fifth day since the magnitude 7.6 quake struck on Sept 30, the stench of death overhung the city of Padang while rescuers tried in vain to find people still alive.

Clean water supply, electricity and telecommunication facilities were reported to be partially restored in Padang.

If not for Sumatra, we could have been heavily punished by mother nature twice in a time frame of 5 years. So far, Sumatra has been protecting the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia…respect her as she has been our saviour for centuries….

CM Lim Guan Eng proposed to link Jln Bagan 29 to Jln Siram to enhance better traffic flow and convenience for the residents of Tmn Bagan, Penang.

Watch the video here

Video by : Jimmy Leow (Citizen Journalist)

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng told reporters that the preparation for the coming Permatang Pasir by election will treated seriously to retain the seat.

Watch the video here.

Video by Jimmy Leow Beng Hock, Citizen Journalist

The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has expressed concern that the Penang government’s decision to revoke the approval for a luxury condominium project in Kampung Buah Pala would not resolve the villagers’ predicament.

Speaking at a press conference in Georgetown, Hindraf advisor N Ganesan said the revocation would only stop the project from proceeding but it does not guarantee the return of the village land to the residents.

Watch the video here.

Video by Leow Beng Hock (Citizen Journalist)