Two municipal councillors have denied allegations that the state government had forced them into approving the controversial subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition Centre (sPICE).

The duo dismissed accusations by Barisan Nasional that by forcing the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) to ink the deal with developer Eco Meridian Sdn Bhd, the former’s autonomy had been ‘usurped’ by the state government.

The duo - Felix Ooi and Mohd Rashid Hasnon - held a press conference yesterday at the proposed RM300 million sPICE site in Relau, which currently houses the Penang International Sport Arena, to explain why the project had their support.

The project was slammed by BN, who described the agreement as lopsided and favouring the developer, a sister company of Umno-linked SP Setia Berhad.

NONEOn Monday, four individuals claiming to be ratepayers had filed a civil suit against Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, his administration, the MPPP and the developer, demanding that the project be scrapped.

They had asked for full disclosure of the sPICE agreement, saying it was a violation of several laws, including the 1976 Local Government Act, 1976 Town and Country Planning Act and Article 8 of the federal constitution.

‘No element of force’

When asked about two of their colleagues breaking ranks with others to object to the RM50 million expenditure on the project in a recent MPPP full meeting, Ooi said, “It is their personal view.”

He maintained that was “no element of force” by the state authority on MPPP as every step had been followed through by several committees to ensure the deal was carried out properly.

The groups involved in the project include the MPPP’s tender board, and planning and financial committees, which had all been well-informed about the matter, he said.

His colleagues (who did not agree to the project) were probably not sitting in the relevant committees and were not aware of the full details of the case, he added.

“This is by far the most transparent project in the entire country,” said Ooi, who is also Bukit Bendera PKR information chief.

He was referring to the MPPP’s decision to allow public viewing of the agreement at its legal office in Komtar, and to hold an open exhibition and dialogue on the project with Lim in February.

“And there is nothing from the state government that says we must do this or that,” he added.

‘State only guides and suggests’

Meanwhile, Mohd Rashid said Bayan Baru residents supported the state government’s plan to develop sPICE, as the current PISA was in a dilapidated condition.

He said Penang truly needed a proper convention and exhibition centre to attract further foreign direct investment.

NONE“If this project is cancelled as demanded by BN in their recent civil suit, we cannot hope to develop much,” quipped the Bayan Baru PKR deputy chief.

Mohd Rashid (left in photo) added that the state government’s involvement in the project merely included “guidance and provide suggestions” on the development of the project.

“After following all the proper procedures, the agreement was finally inked in August between the developer and MPPP,” he said.

“We leave the technicalities of the project to MPPP, and have been assured that all concerns like traffic would be properly addressed,” he added.