Lim defended the land conversion. — File pic
Lim said the revenue came from RM6.32 million for conversion to freehold and another RM1.89 million as additional premium to change conditions for the prime land at the heritage buffer zone. The chief minister yesterday declassified minutes of meetings by the state exco, state land committee and the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) over the piece of land.
"RM8.2 million is a big revenue source for the state government," the chief minister said in a statement issued today.
He also noted the cost of raising PHH's equity by 1 per cent to 50 per cent was borne by YTL Hotel and Properties Sdn Bhd, the joint-venture partner in the project.
"What is important is that PHH is no longer controlled 51 per cent by a private company but is equally shared with PDC having 50 per cent share over the land and can determine the project's direction," said Lim, adding private companies that hold 51 per cent equity can carry out anything and ignore PDC's views.
Lim had said yesterday that based on a letter from YTL Corporation on May 9, 2007, the former Penang chief minister had agreed in principle on Jan 18, 2007 to convert the land to freehold for PHH and on condition that the land was “for residence and business only”.
He said the letter from PDC on July 17, 2007 asked PHH to make an application to convert the land to freehold, adding the project was neglected and in an “abandoned” state since YTL forwarded a development plan on Aug 1, 2008 and this had attracted the attention of Unesco which inquired about the project given that the site was inside the Unesco heritage buffer zone.
“To revive the project to bring back progress as well as increase returns for the government and the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP), I had negotiations with all parties, including the developer YTL H&P, on the condition to not bring about loss to the people and the state government,” he said.
He said the conversion to freehold status was approved and later ratified by the executive council on June 3, 2008 with three additional conditions for the benefit of the public and the state government.
In today's statement, Lim also countered claims that his statement has not rebuffed Pulau Betong assemblyman Muhammad Farid Saad's allegations that he had lied to the state assembly sitting in August about his government's land policy.
"A preliminary review by the Land and Mines Office about Pulau Betong assemblyman Muhammad Farid Saad's allegations is that his question is towards state land that is under lease. According to the Land and Mines Office, this is state land held under State Secretary Incorporated (SSI).
"At this point there is no such application received by the SSI," Lim said.
He said Umno's allegations are baseless and politically-motivated to bring down the Pakatan Rakyat state government.
"It looks like the CAT administation by the state government is so effective that Umno and Barisan Nasional have to create stories to instil hate towards the Pakatan Rakyat," said the chief minister, referring to his state's "Competency, Accountability and Transparency" concept.
(Source: The Malaysian Insider)
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