Anwar backs Lim to find win-win solution
Athi VeerangganPublished: Jul 5, 2009 4:07 PM | Updated: Jul 6, 2009 8:50 AM
Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim today issued several ‘friendly' press statements in an apparent damage control exercise to subdue mounting criticisms against the Penang Pakatan Rakyat government in the handling of the Kampung Buah Pala crisis.
Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim today issued several ‘friendly' press statements in an apparent damage control exercise to subdue mounting criticisms against the Penang Pakatan Rakyat government in its handling of the Kampung Buah Pala crisis.
Speaking at a packed media conference in his Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency, the PKR leader tried his best not to inflict more harm on the embattled Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Lim is currently facing swelling attacks from various quarters over his failure to resolve the crisis involving the residents of the 200-year-old heritage village.
"Lim's government is working overtime to unveil a win-win formula to resolve the crisis amicably," Anwar told journalists at his office in Yayasan Aman, Penanti.
Anwar said that a solution which would not hamper development and at the same time protect the villager's interests must be found.
He offered his sympathy to the frustrated villagers, adding that their predicament was caused by the previous Barisan Nasional state government.
"It is wrong for all quarters to put the blame solely on Pakatan government," he said.
He said he felt the previous government had been unwise and committed several errors when it alienated and subsequently sold the village land for RM3.21 million to cooperative society Koperasi Pegawai-Pegawai Kanan Kerajaan Pulau Pinang.
"The current government is legally tied down by the previous administrative decision.
"Lim's government's task now is to explore a conclusive way to resolve the problem," he said.
Wait for land scam findings
Defending Lim's reluctance to visit Kampung Buah Pala, Anwar said it was not necessary for a head of government to always visit a crisis site.
"What's more important is the end product ... the ultimate solution to end it," he said.
Touching on the exorbitant land valuation figure, some RM150 million, given by Lim to acquire the village land, Anwar claimed that the price of land can rocket sky high due to development taking place on the site.
He pointed out the alleged land scam investigation carried out by Deputy Chief Minister Mansor Othman pertaining to the village land deals demonstrated Lim's government commitment to end the impasse.
He said Mansor, who was also present at the press conference, would reveal some of the committee's findings in next few weeks.
Lim has come under severe attack from civil organisations such as Hindraf, Jerit, Suaram and Penang Heritage Trust, for lacking commitment and political will to save an Indian heritage village, the only one left in Penang.
Indeed the villagers have openly said the village still existed today despite demolition threats from the developer, Nusmetro Venture (P) Sdn Bhd, because of the pressure from civil societies and timely intervention of Mansor.
In a related development, Lim said he would write a letter to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to request for a federal allocation to fund the cost to reacquire the Kampung Buah Pala village land.
He will also write to former chief minister Koh Tsu Koon seeking his help to secure the fund.
Lim expressed hopes that the federal government would consider paying for the land acquisition cost, as he insisted that the state could not afford to pay for it.
Anwar on PKR councillor Johari
Meanwhile, Anwar said PKR state leaders would hold a meeting with Lim this Tuesday to resolve several outstanding issues, especially the controversial sacking of the party councillor Johari Kassim from Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP).
Although he declined to say whether Lim has rightly used an administrative rule to expel Johari, Anwar said the meeting would explore a political solution to end the controversy.
"From my point of view, Johari's outburst against Lim was a bit harsh. I have to acknowledge that," Anwar said as he avoided giving direct replies to media queries.
Earlier, Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak told the press conference that his state government was identifying several sites, including one in Pendang, to build a new pig abattoir to replace the recently demolished one in Alor Star.
The demolition triggered Kedah DAP to pullout from Kedah Pakatan government.
Commenting on the pullout decision, he said it was a non-issue given that the final decision must be taken by Pakatan national top leadership.
"I have not received any official letter on DAP's supposed withdrawal. As far I am concerned, DAP is still in Kedah Pakatan," he said.
Azizan said his government had and would always explore all political ways and means to resolve any arising differences and disputes among coalition partners.
Speaking at a packed media conference in his Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency, the PKR leader tried his best not to inflict more harm on the embattled Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.Lim is currently facing swelling attacks from various quarters over his failure to resolve the crisis involving the residents of the 200-year-old heritage village.
"Lim's government is working overtime to unveil a win-win formula to resolve the crisis amicably," Anwar told journalists at his office in Yayasan Aman, Penanti.
Anwar said that a solution which would not hamper development and at the same time protect the villager's interests must be found.
He offered his sympathy to the frustrated villagers, adding that their predicament was caused by the previous Barisan Nasional state government.
"It is wrong for all quarters to put the blame solely on Pakatan government," he said.
He said he felt the previous government had been unwise and committed several errors when it alienated and subsequently sold the village land for RM3.21 million to cooperative society Koperasi Pegawai-Pegawai Kanan Kerajaan Pulau Pinang.
"The current government is legally tied down by the previous administrative decision.
"Lim's government's task now is to explore a conclusive way to resolve the problem," he said.
Wait for land scam findings
Defending Lim's reluctance to visit Kampung Buah Pala, Anwar said it was not necessary for a head of government to always visit a crisis site.
"What's more important is the end product ... the ultimate solution to end it," he said.
Touching on the exorbitant land valuation figure, some RM150 million, given by Lim to acquire the village land, Anwar claimed that the price of land can rocket sky high due to development taking place on the site.
He pointed out the alleged land scam investigation carried out by Deputy Chief Minister Mansor Othman pertaining to the village land deals demonstrated Lim's government commitment to end the impasse.He said Mansor, who was also present at the press conference, would reveal some of the committee's findings in next few weeks.
Lim has come under severe attack from civil organisations such as Hindraf, Jerit, Suaram and Penang Heritage Trust, for lacking commitment and political will to save an Indian heritage village, the only one left in Penang.
Indeed the villagers have openly said the village still existed today despite demolition threats from the developer, Nusmetro Venture (P) Sdn Bhd, because of the pressure from civil societies and timely intervention of Mansor.
In a related development, Lim said he would write a letter to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to request for a federal allocation to fund the cost to reacquire the Kampung Buah Pala village land.He will also write to former chief minister Koh Tsu Koon seeking his help to secure the fund.
Lim expressed hopes that the federal government would consider paying for the land acquisition cost, as he insisted that the state could not afford to pay for it.
Anwar on PKR councillor Johari
Meanwhile, Anwar said PKR state leaders would hold a meeting with Lim this Tuesday to resolve several outstanding issues, especially the controversial sacking of the party councillor Johari Kassim from Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP).
Although he declined to say whether Lim has rightly used an administrative rule to expel Johari, Anwar said the meeting would explore a political solution to end the controversy.
"From my point of view, Johari's outburst against Lim was a bit harsh. I have to acknowledge that," Anwar said as he avoided giving direct replies to media queries.
Earlier, Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak told the press conference that his state government was identifying several sites, including one in Pendang, to build a new pig abattoir to replace the recently demolished one in Alor Star.The demolition triggered Kedah DAP to pullout from Kedah Pakatan government.
Commenting on the pullout decision, he said it was a non-issue given that the final decision must be taken by Pakatan national top leadership.
"I have not received any official letter on DAP's supposed withdrawal. As far I am concerned, DAP is still in Kedah Pakatan," he said.
Azizan said his government had and would always explore all political ways and means to resolve any arising differences and disputes among coalition partners.
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