Uproar over hillside project
GEORGE TOWN: A Penang Municipal (MPPP) councillor has alleged that the state government is trying to influence the municipal council to approve a hillside project in Sungai Ara here.
Councillor Dr Lim Mah Hui, who was present at a protest against the project in his personal capacity, said he was unaware that MPPP had approved the project.
Dr Lim, who is a councillor under the NGO quota, alleged that the project was “approved at the state level”.
“It seems like the state government is dictating to the MPPP what our local government should do,” he said.
The protest was attended by some 200 residents from various housing estates in Desa Ria, Sungai Ara, as well as members of Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM).
SAM council member Mohideen Abdul Kader said the state’s development policy should be reviewed.
“Development projects should benefit the majority of the people. Leave the hills alone. Houses are built there for profit. It is not a welfare (housing) project,” he said.
The residents received a notification from the MPPP Planning Department that the project was approved on Feb 21 despite their efforts to raise their concerns with State Town and Country Planning, Housing and Arts Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai and Batu Maung assemblyman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim.
Sunrise Garden Condominum management committee chairman Manuel Nicholas said the project took up 24.28ha of the 32.7ha area, which is about 75% of the hill.
“The massive hill projects were approved by MPPP under the category ofprojek istimewa (special project). It is just a normal development and we are surprised how such a project can be given special status,” he said.
Abdul Malik said the project was approved because it had met the technical criteria.
He urged the residents to present their case to the MPPP’s appeals board.
State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow could not be reached for comment.
Source: The Star
Which project they referred to? Meridien? Wave? Or new one that no one know?
@wbk
I think they referred to Stramex from Palmex.
https://www.penangpropertytalk.com/2011/08/stramex-sungai-ara/
Sunway city (bungalows and condo) which is going to take place at the hillside behind Sunrise Garden.
http://cj.my/post/43289/sg-ara-residents-protest-against-the-hillside-development/
Details on the protest meeting n the location of the development…..
I recalled now that my friend mentioned a developer want to clear the land beside Regency Heights and build big houses. Didn’t know the land is so big. But if build condo even worst, escpecially to the traffic.
There are 2 massive projects, 1 by Sunway City and another by Palmex. Just imagine if the hill ‘botak’. I don’t understand why the state government approved this project. And on the other hand, keep on campaining to use recycle bags and GREEN Penang.
I think all of the projects in Malaysia have to clear trees one lo, unless you reclaim land from sea. Interest group will mogok whenever new projects impact their livelihood lar. Normal lar.
People already spend so much money to buy land there to invest, now we ask them to stop because we want to protect the trees. A win win solution is we all comtribute money to buy the land from the developer and make it a park. Sound good? 😀
I think Penangites do not against development but at least they must protect those gazetted property of PG.
Cld you imagine that they will build stilts to support those condo on TOP of the HILL. Hv they visualised before how PG will look like in future?
We are not the kind who “dig money” from others. So, are we able to buy land from developer? They have “the BIG people” who support them. Very keen to know what will our people’s CM comments. He always has his comments. So, should we support GREEN Penang project, since Penang’s trees will GONE soon.
Reclaim land from sea = ikan mati
Clear trees = monyet mati
Tanah Runtuh = orang mati
Sounds good?