MPPP to study Belleview project complaints
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) will study complaints and issues raised by the Citizens Awareness Chant Group (Chant Group) who protested on Saturday against a 27-storey luxury suite project in Pulau Tikus.
Council president Datuk Patahiyah Ismail said the council would also look into concerns over parking problems at the market due to the construction work.
“We are looking into the matter,” she told Streets, but declined to comment further.
On Saturday, some 150 Chant Group members and residents held a 45-minute protest against the Moulmein Rise project at the market in Jalan Pasar.
The protestors, who wore T-shirts bearing the slogan No to Moulmein Rise, shouted their objections as cars passed by.
Chant Group adviser Yan Lee questioned how the project, which was being built on land previously used as an open parking space, could have been approved as the location was surrounded by homes.
He said residents had not received any notice from the council to voice their objections to the project, which is required under Section 21 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976.
Lee also wanted to know why the Traffic Impact Assessment report was not made public even though numerous requests had been made over the past year.
“Where is the Freedom of Information Act and CAT (competent, accountability, and transparent) from the state government in this matter? We have the right to know,” he said at the protest.
Meanwhile, K. K. Lim, 60, who lives opposite the construction site, said she was not served any letters seeking for her opinion or objection.
“Why was I not given the right to say yes or no to the project?
“I did not receive any letters from MPPP even though the project is on my doorstep,” she said.
Nor Sheila Mansor, 53, who works as a cashier at a cafe in Jalan Pasar, said business had dropped drastically over the last two months since the open car park was cordoned off.
“Our business dropped by 60 to 70 per cent, as many people chose to avoid this area completely.
The operator of Adam’s Famous Curry Puffs and Nasi Lemak stall in front of Sin Hup Aun coffee shop at the market said his business was also affected by the project.
The man, who only wanted to be known as Ady, 22, said he had to throw away 40 packets of nasi lemak as the demand had dropped, because of the worsening traffic congestion.
“I used to sell 1,000 curry puffs and 200 packets of nasi lemak daily.
“Now, I can only sell 700 curry puffs and 140 packets of nasi lemak,” he said.
Taman Berjaya resident K. Sundram, 56, who used to drive to the market for his daily marketing and breakfast, said it was impossible to find a parking space after the car park was closed.
“Now the council is clamping vehicles parked illegally, charging drivers a RM50 compound.
“I think MPPP should be more sympathetic since we have no place to park our cars anymore,” the retired accountant said.
Sundram, who was aware of the developer’s promise to provide 90 parking lots in the basement level of the project to replace the open car park, said MPPP should manage the new car park.
“If the basement car park is left to the council, then we can be assured that the parking rate will be reasonable, otherwise the rates may go up to RM3 or RM4. It could be even more expensive during the weekends,” he said.
Last month, the project developer, Belleview Group, assured the public that it would address their parking concerns by building a basement car park to replace the old open car park.
Managing director Datuk Sonny Ho had said that the parking charges would be reasonable. By Looi Sue-chern and Predeep Nambiar
Source: New Straits Times
wahhhh still no comment even this project may have affected social harmony around.
What do you expect? most of it are self-boosting comments to sell the projects..
High court some more have commanded the Palmex hillside projects at Sg Ara to be resumed.. here gone the peacefulness of Regency Height & Sunrise Garden…
Development is like that, probably they should go to New York City and see how the high rise building over there. Compare to them, Penang is just nothing. Build a 27 storey high rise already making so much noise? Build here can’t, build there can’t, high hill can’t, heritage site can’t????? No need development lor…….Probably all the business mans and residences at that area should buy that piece of land and turn it into recreation park, this should be a good solution.
@Setia Green
@Economic Crisis
Simple and direct to the fact. If this project approve under previous goverment, maybe we can see hundred comment will display here.
this is no good for penang future, absolute power will lead to absolute corruption no matter who come to power.
The land is private property. Do residents around have rights to stop the owner from developing the land?
New York is a relatively new city which has good city planning since the beginning. The streets are wide and straight all the way. While there are traffic problems with the Pulau Tikus narrow roads! Do you see a lot of high rise buildings in Washington D.C., or Rome?
Penang Turf Club also private land. At 2007/2008 why majority people object that project?
Penang Turf Club also private land. At 2007 they proposed mix develoment project, why majority people object that project even they also have rights to developing the land
@Moon
That’s changing from Turf club to be a mixed development, not to mention the scale of environment impact.. I would say thats poor comparison to this project..
This is nature of human putting their own interest on top. I do not like high rise building besides my house too. But who gives me the right or reason to stop that just because I do not like it? The reason to object is weak in this case. Just something to ponder
Actually, the neighbors have every right to have a say in what’s being developed, especially when you’re talking about a neighborhood where you have mostly landed properties and low rise apartments. A highrise would surely affect their daily lives drastically.
Whether New York or Rome, I guess there is no RIGHT or WRONG when it comes to development. The most important thing is, what does the PEOPLE want! Afterall, Penang belongs to the PEOPLE of Penang. CM is hired by the PEOPLE of Penang. But the issue is, you will never have only ONE opinion in a society. People tend to have different opinions. BUT, the essence of a democratic society is, the voice of the majority should be HEARD loud and clear. So, Pulau Tikus folks, if you think justice has not been done, your voice can be heard loud and clear in the coming GE….:) Good Luck!
At least for me, I don’t simply oppose development. BUT, each development must be supported by a proper township, environment, traffic planning etc.
Last time when I “googled” for Sunway hillside project at Sg Ara, I found a project plan (cannot recall the exact plan title). Inside there has some details, but never talked about how does it affect the surrounding township etc. Many things are described in few paragraphs rather than in depth analysis. I have no insight to what MPPP does, and the real process, but I really hope projects do not just get approve based on these kinds of plans.
Guys, you can join one of Belleview completed condo community to see buyers & owners comments and feedback before invest on their project and management, at https://www.facebook.com/groups/allseasonspark/
just say you “plan to buy”, the admin will let you join in for a short period
@Setia Green
Regency Height & Sunrise Garden residents are selfish people. Their condo OK to be built there, but other new coming condos cannot.
@ezalor
I think so far Setia Pearl Island residents are very kind and no complaint. Developer should build more high rises at the hill slope of SPI.