‘Come clean on Jerejak’

> Gerakan queries state govt on several issues over tourism resort

GEORGE TOWN: The state government has been asked to come clean on the various issues arising from the sale of the Penang Development Corporation’s (PDC) 49% shares in Tropical Island Resort Sdn Bhd (TIRSB), which was appointed to operate a tourism resort in Pulau Jerejak.

State Gerakan acting Youth chief Jason Loo said the state government which champions competency, accountability and transparency (CAT), must explain why the sale of the shares in TIRSB and also the awarding of the Bayan Bay reclamation project were not done via open tender.

“Everything has been planned ahead without the knowledge of Penangites and why has the state government not come out to explain the exact date of the selling transaction of PDC’s 49% shares in TIRSB.

“At the same time, the state government should also explain when the Bayan Bay project was awarded to Ideal Property Development Sdn Bhd (Ideal) as both the projects are very close to each other,” he told reporters here yesterday.

He added that both the projects were not awarded through the open tender and was given to one single company.

TIRSB is a joint venture between UDA and PDC, which hold 51% and 49% stakes respectively.

UDA, in a statement on Nov 8, confirmed undertaking a joint venture with Q Island Development on the project, which is expected to be completed in eight to 10 years while the total cost is yet to be determined.

According to UDA, the redevelopment plans have been approved by the state government and four five-star hotels, 1,200 residential units, a marina, a theme park and a 11.5km bicycle track will be built to promote tourism in the state. – Bernama