槟政府2子公司招聘接受统考生 CHINESE NEW YEAR 唯一州政府正式聘请统考生 FESTIVITIES pg pg 6 1 FREE buletin Competency Accountability Transparency http:www.facebook.com/buletinmutiara March 1 - 15, 2016 http:www.facebook.com/cmlimguaneng ...there will be Gurney Wharf no more unpleasant sight and smell... a gift to Penang – Lim Story by Chan Lilian and Danny Ooi The proposed Gurney Wharf concept masterplan encompasses four distinct IMAGINE a sandy beach with lapping character areas: Seaside Retail F&B, waves and casuarina trees. Water Gardens, Beach and Coastal In place of the mud that one associates Grove. with Gurney Drive, a wharf like in other The Seaside Retail F&B celebrates cities in the world such as London, San Penang’s vibrant seafront brought to life Francisco and Hongkong will be the pride by elements such as a water-fronting of Penang. public promenade, seafront dining fa- “It is going to be the best in Malaysia. cilities including the island’s famed It is a sincere gift to the people of Penang. hawker fare and a pier walk. To be an international city, we must have The Water Gardens area will be de- a similar wharf,” Chief Minister Lim fined by lush gardens, ponds and wet- Guan Eng said during the launch of the lands with its most distinctive feature preview of the new seafront park Gurney being landscaped water gardens with Wharf in Gurney Plaza on Feb 27. innovative storm water filtration sys- Together with Lim were Bukit Bend- tems. era MP Zairil Khir Johari and exco Modelled after Singapore’s success member for Local Government, Traffic with this at Gardens on the Bay, this is Management and Flood Mitigation Chow By ME a pioneering system in Malaysia which Kon Yeow. is aesthetically outstanding as it is func- “Gurney Drive will be maintained but Gurney Wharf will be created on land Japan (Jerde). tional. there will be no more unpleasant sight and to be reclaimed by Tanjung Pinang De- “Drawing inspiration from some of Chow said with the Beach area, Pen- smell of the mud anymore. We have to bring velopment Sdn Bhd (TPD), a subsidiary the world’s best public spaces, we aspire angites would gain greater access to the back the beautiful image of the Gurney of premier lifestyle property developer to create a spacious, multi-functional waterfront area that includes a public Drive of the past and Gurney Wharf will Eastern & Oriental Berhad (E&O). public park-in-the-city that is interna- beach as well as a public promenade. add more features to it,” Lim said. Lim commended E&O for the tional in standard yet one hundred per “Penangites will have access to “We want the children to be proud Group’s initiative in engaging award- cent Penang in spirit,” Lim added. nearly 400 metres of a specially-created because their parents have left them this winning international consultants at its Chow added that “in creating this sandy beach which is literally, a stroll beautiful gift of a wharf. own cost to prepare the proposed mas- exemplar public park, we are adopting through the park,” he said. “Acknowledging the importance of terplan concept. a people-centric approach to ensure that Within the Coastal Grove, Chow said Gurney Drive and the emotional attach- The consultants - GDP Architects for the outcome is more than just a well- there would be a skate park for teens ment it brings forth in the hearts and the overall masterplan, Grant Associates designed physical space. and youth, not far from the casuarinas minds of Penangites, the state is proud to for landscaping and Jerde for retail F&B It will be where Penangites can fully lining the present Gurney Drive. propose a masterplan concept to create a - are highly acclaimed with an impressive enjoy the island’s sea frontage, where “The existing casuarinas are a signa- new iconic waterfront destination for portfolio that includes the Aga Khan- communities gather for wholesome ture of Gurney Drive and will be mind- Penang, for the benefit of the people of award winning Universiti Teknologi outdoor activities and most importantly, fully preserved,” Chow added. Penang, and one that Penangites would Malaysia (GDP), Gardens by the Bay in where pride of place and a sense of be proud to call their own,” he added. Singapore (Grant) and Roppongi Hills, belonging is fostered”. • See also pg 14-16 2 March 1 - 15, 2016 High-powered legal expertise for MBPP Committed to Story by Chan Lilian known as the NEG Engineering ead Holdings Bhd to reduce the Sdn Bhd case involving a huge height of its hotel from 12 sto- reducing TWO legal experts have con- RM243 million claim whilst the reys approved by the previous sented to assist the state govern- second one is against the state government to five storeys. traffic woes ment when the judicial review government on a land acquisi- This RM20 million payment is argued in the High Court in tion matter in 1992 known as the was made in exchange for re- PENANG Forum mem- what is expected to be the case Bagan Serai Housing Estate Sdn ducing the height of the building bers were invited to of the century for planning law Bhd case on the present Mega- by seven storeys to comply with Komtar by state leaders in Malaysia. mall complex site in Prai, Se- the promise made to Unesco, but on March 1 to discuss “Prof. Gurdial Singh Nijar berang Perai. not fulfilled by the previous issues that they are con- (pix) and Datuk Ambiga Sree- rejecting such special projects “MPSP was fortunate to win government, that all buildings in cerned about in a rational nevasan will assist the Majlis from landowners. the NEG Engineering Sdn Bhd the George Town heritage area manner. Bandaraya Pulau Pinang However, the Appeals Board case which involved an active would not exceed five storeys or “The state government (MBPP) to avoid paying huge decision can be subject to judi- politician who was a leader in 18 meters. is puzzled at the manu- compensation for rejecting de- cial review by the High Court. the previous government, but “The present Penang state factured furore over the velopment for land above 76m Sunway Bhd and other land- there is a possibility that they government lives in daily fear removing and replanting ( 250 ft) or special projects that owners affected by this decision may appeal. Reports have also and nightmare of facing huge of 16 trees of 30 years old were approved by the previous have 90 days to do so. been filed by MPSP to the police compensation payouts due to the when nothing much was government,” Chief Minister “Sunway Bhd has communi- and Malaysian Anti-Corruption failures of the previous BN state said when certain states Lim Guan Eng announced on cated to me of their intention to Commission (MACC),” Lim government that can bankrupt cut down entire forest Feb 26. do so and may seek compensa- said. the state. When compensation reserves. But we will Ambiga was former Bar Coun- tion, should the Appeals Board “Unfortunately the Penang was paid by the state govern- strive to respond to two cil chairman while Gurdial is a decision be affirmed by the High state government lost the second ment, no one offered or raised a main issues raised in the Universiti Malaya law professor. Court.,” Lim said. case, the Megamall case, and is single sen to assist us despite interest of transparency This follows the latest deci- This gives MBPP an oppor- appealing to the Court of Appeal sweet promises made by some and open government,” sion in January made by Datuk tunity to overturn the special involving potential compensa- NGOs. The threat of bankruptcy Chief Minister Lim Guan Yeo Yang Poh, the chairman of projects approved by the previ- tion that could be similar to is real. For this reason, the Pen- Eng told the members. the Appeals Board, established ous state government without NEG Engineering Sdn Bhd. ang state government has un- “While you, the steer- under the Town & Country Plan- paying financial compensation. This Megamall case is similar to willingly acceded to all previous ing committee, may be ning Act, on the Sunway Bhd Lim also highlighted two re- the state government losing rulings made by the BN state able to view the island’s case. cent High Court cases which another land matter in Bukit government to avoid huge com- traffic woes in isolation, The Appeals Board indicated revealed the potentially huge Mertajam due to an error by the pensation payout that can bank- look at it from a mono- that MBPP did not need to ap- compensation payout faced by previous state government, re- rupt Penang,” Lim said. dimension of protecting prove the development order the present Penang state govern- sulting in compensation of “One of the potential threats trees without regard for sought by Sunway Bhd for their ment involving hundreds of RM29.4 million to Tang Hak Ju. is compensation claims by land- traffic congestion, and land above 76 metres that was millions of ringgit due to fail- The state government was owners for development above withstand it as a regular allowed development of either ures of the previous BN state forced to pay RM14.7 million 76 metres which were approved inconvenience for years six units per acre or 15 units per government. and is still trying to reclaim back as special projects by the previ- to come. It is not a senti- acre by the previous govern- “The two recent cases involve the sum in court,” Lim added. ous state government, which ment and luxury shared ment.