Penang-based Coalition for Good Governance (CGG) has asked the state government to be transparent with details of the newly launched People's Park (or sPICE), as ratepayers are now stakeholders of the project since millions of their ringgit will be spent on it.

sPICE comprises the shabby Penang International Sports Arena and Aquatic Centre in Bayan Baru, the redevelopment of which was awarded to Eco Meridean Sdn Bhd.

CGG representative Tan Seng Hai said the people had suffered much in the past from lopsided concessions given to government-linked companies.

The concessions awarded to companies such as PLUS Expressway Bhd, which manages Federal Highway II (E1) and the North-South Expressway (E2), only came to light 20 years after the agreements were signed.

"In the interest of accountability and transparency, the coalition urges the Penang State Government to disclose details of the concession and tender terms given to the developer, including penalty clauses in case of non-performance and delay," Tan said.

'Engage the people through feedback and dialogue'

"Disclose the total project cost including infrastructure, repair and maintenance, the financial returns to the state and the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP), and which party will bear these costs," he added.

Tan also urged the state to proactively engage the public, especially residents living within the vicinity of sPICE, on traffic dispersal in the area through feedback and dialogue.

On the sub-terranean design with a roof garden, Tan, who is an engineer by profession, said it is would be "an engineering and technological challenge".

NONEHowever, he commended the state for having the courage and ambition to pick an innovative design for the project.

The coalition's call came within hours of Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (right) announcing that members of the public would have two weeks to provide feedback on the plan to construct the park, which includes an RM300 million international convention centre.

Penangites would be allowed to view plans for the mega-project for two weeks, from 9am to 5pm today, at the main entrance to the Penang International Sports Arena (Pisa).

Their views can expressed directly at the venue or via email to MPPP.

Lim said while making the announcement that public consultation was a key aspect of the state government's competency, accountability and transparency or "CAT" governance.

Earlier, civil society groups objected to MPPP funding the project with a massive sum of RM50 million, saying Penang did not need another convention centre when the existing one was not even properly managed.