Heat is on at Penang state assembly

Reps expected to pound issues of hillslope development and floods

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state assembly, which starts its meeting today, is expected to be a hot affair with the Opposition and even PKR and DAP representatives expected to flay the state government over hillslope development and the recent floods.

With the general election predicted early next year, this will probably be the last “sparring” session before the state assembly is dissolved.

The death of 11 workers in a landslide in Tanjung Bungah on Oct 21 has drawn the ire of civil society groups and the public to hillslope development, including those located more than 76m above sea level, which had been approved by the Penang Island City Council as “special projects”.

One of the main highlights will be the motion submitted by Barisan Nasional’s Pulau Betong assemblyman Datuk Dr Muhamad Farid Saad on issues relating to hillslope development and floods.

Dr Muhamad Farid said his motion was accepted for debate by Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang.

In the motion, he said he would ask the state government to immediately halt all hillslope projects until the developers provide proper drainage systems and implement soil strengthening measures.

“I will ask the state government not to approve any project above 76m for any reason,” he said, adding that he was counting on some assemblymen from PKR and even DAP to support his motion, descri bing it as “the voice” of the people.

Exactly two years ago, Dr Muhamad Farid tabled a motion on land reclamation which created a stir after DAP’s Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu voted for the motion while five PKR assemblymen – dubbed the “PKR Five” – abstained.

Teh later apologised to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for breaking ranks.

This time, all eyes will again be on the “PKR Five” – Cheah Kah Peng (Kebun Bunga), Dr Norlela Ariffin (Penanti), Ong Chin Wen (Bukit Tengah), Dr T. Jayabalan (Batu Uban) and Lee Khai Loon (Machang Bubok). Even an abstention could land them in serious trouble.

Teh, who has announced that he would quit the party when the assembly is dissolved, may well support Barisan’s motion.

The frequent floodings in the state is another major issue.

Outspoken Dr Norlela said she would raise the matter based on input provided by Penang Forum, a coalition of some 20 environmental and civil rights groups, which held a dialogue last Sunday.

The coalition wants assemblymen and MPs to raise the issue in the state assembly and Dewan Rakyat.

Dr Norlela said PKR would be holding a precouncil meeting today to discuss preparations for the assembly, including the motions that would be tabled.

This will then be followed by a Pakatan Harapan precouncil meeting.

Dr Norlela shot into the limelight when she pressured the authorities to take action against an illegal factory in Sungai Lembu, which had been burning sawdust to produce carbon for the past 10 years.

She came under criticism following the arrest of state exco member Phee Boon Poh, who chairs the environment committee, by the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission on Aug 11 over a probe into the factory issue.

On Aug 11, factory owner Edmond Gan Eu Lee, 37, and his father Gan Buck Hee, 70, who started the factory some 30 years ago, were also detained.

They were released on Aug 14 after the Penang High Court set aside their remand orders.

The factory has been closed but DAP leaders were unhappy with Dr Norlela for allegedly stirring up the matter.