Press statement from Guan Eng's press secretary.

Received this piece through email. I checked on the link given: http://cm.penang.gov.my/

but could not find the press statement.

This is just a "copy and paste", for your information.

Press Statement From Cheong Yin Fan， Press Secretary To The Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In George Town On 8.11.2009.
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The only approvals granted for reclamation or hill development projects were by the previous BN state government.

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The Penang Chief Minister’s Office regrets certain misleading reports of government approvals granted on large tracts of land reclamation and hill development projects by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. Such false press reports by pro-BN and UMNO-controlled media is calculated to cause maximum damage and undermine public confidence, the integrity and credibility of the Pakatan Rakyat administration.



The Penang state government appreciates the valid concerns expressed by Penangnites who are confused by these false allegations from BN. Amongst the issues raised are existing hill slope projects approved by the previous BN state government which the present PR state government can not simply cancel for fear of incurring hundreds of millions of ringgit in compensation that Penangnites can not afford.



There have been no approvals granted on any major land reclamation or hill development projects by either the state government or Lim Guan Eng. The only approvals granted for reclamation or hill development projects were by the previous BN state government. It is ironical that amongst those making these allegations are BN leaders that had themselves approved these projects in the past without public consultation. It is wrong to pin the blame on the PR state government.



There have been proposals for development from various quarters. However proposals can not be equated with approvals. Any approvals made must fulfill the aspirations of a people-centric government transforming Penang into an international city with world-class facilities and support services and a thriving magnet for the best human talent.



Before any approvals are signed, the state government will observe the principles of CAT (Competency, Accountability and Transparency) governance and obtain public consultation. BN had approved numerous major hillslope projects and PR not even one. BN had not consulted the public whilst PR had regularly consulted the public. There is no corruption in PR state government whilst there are hidden monetary costs in the BN state government. This is the difference between a people-centric government of PR and the crony government of BN.



As Lim Guan Eng is away overseas in Bahrain and Iran on an investment mission to seek new markets for our investments and tourism, he will address these queries upon his return or at the coming Penang state Assembly meeting on 30.11.2009.



CHEONG YIN FAN









槟州首席部长新闻秘书张燕芬

于2009年11月8日在槟城发表的文告:

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所有大型填海及山地开发项目皆是前朝国阵州政府批准

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槟城首席部长办公室对于指责民联州政府批准大型填海及山地开垦的误导性报告，感到遗憾。



类似的新闻报道在亲巫统及国阵的媒体蓄意炒作下，导致民联政府的公信力造成伤害，并让人民对民联感到失望。



槟州政府感激一些槟州子民对填海及山地开垦课题上的关注，可是却别因此而被国阵的谎言误导。现有的大型山地开垦发展项目是由前朝国阵州政府所批准，而现在民联州政府并无法一笔勾销取消发展准证，因为这将使槟城政府及子民承受数亿令吉的赔偿。



从民联执政槟城开始至今，州政府及首长林冠英并没有批准任何大型填海及山地开垦发展计划。所有的填海及山地开垦发展项目是由前朝国阵州政府所批准。最讽刺的是，当初忽视公众咨询而一意孤行批准相关发展项目的国阵领袖，今天竟然转过来诬赖民联州政府，真是黑狗偷吃，白狗当灾。



虽然槟城州政府有获得各方面的发展建议，但是建议并不等同于批准。所有的批准项目必须附合塑造槟城为国际城市的条件，以提供优质生活设施及吸引人才回流。



在任何计划被批准签署前，州政府将遵守CAT（能干、公信及透明）的原则来处理和谘询公众的意见。而目前州内所有大型填海及山地开垦项目是由国阵执政的州政府批准，反观民联执政后并没有批准过任何的大型填海及山地开垦项目。



民联槟州政府奉行廉洁政策，而以民为本顾及人民福祉，不如国阵一般以朋党利益为优先来中饱私囊。



槟州首席部长林冠英目前率领招商代表团到巴林及伊朗进行访问，他在返抵国门后或者在11月30日的州议会上，将会回复这些指责。



张燕芬