CONCERN OVER FUTURE OF GARDENS
Profit-making must not be underlying intention, say NGOs
NUMEROUS quarters have raised concerns over the Penang government’s move to corporatise the 133-year-old Penang Botanical Gardens (PBG).
Among them were two leading non-governmental organisations, the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM).
Legal adviser for both CAP and SAM, R. Meenakshi, told the New Straits Times that it was vital for the state government to provide more details and make its plans for the corporatisation move transparent, so as to allay the fears of the general public.
“The State Legislative Assembly passed the Penang State Park (Botanic) Corporation enactment recently, which paved the way for the corporatisation of PBG. Concerns arise as to what this means for the future of PBG, which is the oldest botanic gardens in Malaysia founded in 1884.
“Much of the gardens is in a natural state, unlike other gardens.
“This makes it a great treasure to Penangites, who value the gardens immensely, with many visiting it daily for exercises and walks.
“While the gardens can be better maintained, its corporatisation raises questions of the need for this move.
“Topmost on the minds of most Penangites is whether the move will lead to the commercialising of the gardens.”
Meenakshi said while there were assurances that no entry fees would be imposed, the mention of possible charges on some “products” in the gardens was worrying.
“What are these ‘products’ and how much of the gardens can be freely accessed by the public?
“Commercialisation and profit-making must not be the underlying intention,” she stressed.
Also deeply worrying, Meenakshi said, were the proposals made in the past for a base station at the gardens for a cable car to Penang Hill.
“The corporatisation move raises the fear that such proposals will go through without public consultation and feedback, given how the decision-making now lies in the hands of the chairman of the corporation, who has overwhelming power over what can and cannot be done in the gardens.
“Concerns arise over the governance structure of the gardens.
“Good governance demands that decisions are not made by a single person with no checks and balances or accountability to the entire board.”
During the tabling of the bill, numerous questions were raised by both the backbenchers and the opposition (Barisan Nasional).
PKR’s Kebun Bungah assemblyman Cheah Kah Peng had expressed discomfort over the short notice given to review the bill.
He also questioned when public consultation was done and how many were consulted on the matter.
Cheah said his views did not conflict with the state’s plan to improve the park and that his concern was more about clauses in the bill that placed too much power with the corporation.