‘Be stern against all illegal factories’
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has been told to be stern and brave in taking action against illegal factories still operating in the state, especially those which endanger the people’s lives.
State Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman said the DAP-led administration, under Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, has the power to close down all the illegal factories, and should not drag Barisan Nasional into the picture when executing enforcement.
He also told Lim to stop playing politics in the running of the state and when implementing numerous policies.
“You have been in power for nine years. Don’t be a hypocrite and stop lying to the people in Penang. My advice to you (Lim) is to be stern and brave when taking action against illegal factories still operating in the state, especially those which endanger the people’s lives.
“If you are unable to bring about change, it is high time for the people to change the current state government to save Penang,” he said yesterday.
According to Zainal, it is not like the state government had not acted against illegal factories before, citing the example of the Penanti constituency, where the Penang government, through the Seberang Prai Municipal Council, had demolished two illegal factories — a zinc roof factory in Jalan Tanah Liat and a lead processing factory in Kubang Ulu.
“I also want to remind Lim that there is a difference between illegal factories and illegal structures. Illegal factories have no licence, no permit and building approval. Their operations can be stopped without demolishing the buildings, while the local authorities reach an amicable solution.”
He also questioned Lim’s statement that his administration could not act against illegal factories built on private land.
He said the chief minister ’s statement clearly contradicted that of state Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow’s answers at the state legislative sitting in April 2012.
“In his answer (to a question then), Chow had said that the state government, through the Penang Island City Council and Seberang Prai Municipal Council, had taken action against illegal factories on private land under Section 72 of the Streets, Drainage and Building Act 1974, by issuing notices to the owner to demolish the illegal buildings.
“Chow had also said that for factories on state land, action would be taken by the Land and District Office through notices under Section 425 and 426A of the National Land Code.
“Lim, meanwhile, said it has been the state government’s practice not to take action again buildings, places of worship and traders operating illegally from before 2008, unless these disrupt the people and traffic, until an amicable solution is reached.”
As such, Zainal asked Lim to come clean on when the policy was approved by the state executive council, as well as for the minutes of the said meeting to be made public.
Referring to the illegal carbon filter factory in Sungai Lembu, Zainal asked: “Aren’t there many reports from the people on the factory’s operations, which affected their health?
“Also, similar complaints have been brought by the Penanti assemblyman Dr Norlela Ariffin to the state legislative assembly sitting.
“I am surprised that the state government, which prides itself as competent, accountable and transparent, needs more than nine years to come up with an amicable solution.
“Is it because this administration ‘loves the illegal factory’ more than the people?”