'Even Guan Eng can't bypass state decisions'
Susan LoonePublished: Sep 17, 2013 6:28 AM | Updated: Sep 17, 2013 2:57 PM
A DAP state executive councillor has dismissed allegations by Gerakan acting president Chang Ko Youn that Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng bypasses decisions made by the state.
A DAP state executive councillor has dismissed allegations by Gerakan acting president Chang Ko Youn that Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng bypasses decisions made by the state.
State exco member for local government, traffic management and flood mitigation Chow Kon Yeow said that no one, not even the chief minister, can bypass the decisions to approve or reject development projects made by the exco or the state planning committee (SPC).
He said Lim does not make decisions on his own, as alleged by Chang who described the CM as "Tokong (deity)".
Chow (right) explained that the two decision-making bodies are required by law under the 1976 Town and Country Planning Act.
“Chang’s remarks are figments of his imagination,” said Chow, who is also state DAP chief and Padang Kota assemblyperson.
“Chang is not a member of the state exco nor the SPC, how would he know (about Lim bypassing the decision-making bodies)?” Chow asked at a press conference today.
“He should refrain from passing such comments as he is plucking something out of thin air.”
Chow was responding to Chang’s statement at the state Gerakan delegates conference on Sunday, where he said Lim was “infallible like the Pope” and Penangites felt he could do no wrong.
Chang accused Lim of being a dictator, who makes decisions to approve development projects without consulting the state exco or the SPC.
He added that Lim’s policies on development favoured developers and towkays (tycoon), comparing him with Gerakan's former CM Koh Tsu Koon, who abided strictly to the rules and as a consequence, made those quarters unhappy with his administration.
The DAP has demanded that Chang retract his remarks by tomorrow or face a possible defamation suit, but the latter has challenged to meet the state legal adviser RSN Rayer, who issued the demand, in court.
State exco member for local government, traffic management and flood mitigation Chow Kon Yeow said that no one, not even the chief minister, can bypass the decisions to approve or reject development projects made by the exco or the state planning committee (SPC).
He said Lim does not make decisions on his own, as alleged by Chang who described the CM as "Tokong (deity)".
Chow (right) explained that the two decision-making bodies are required by law under the 1976 Town and Country Planning Act.“Chang’s remarks are figments of his imagination,” said Chow, who is also state DAP chief and Padang Kota assemblyperson.
“Chang is not a member of the state exco nor the SPC, how would he know (about Lim bypassing the decision-making bodies)?” Chow asked at a press conference today.
“He should refrain from passing such comments as he is plucking something out of thin air.”
Chow was responding to Chang’s statement at the state Gerakan delegates conference on Sunday, where he said Lim was “infallible like the Pope” and Penangites felt he could do no wrong.
Chang accused Lim of being a dictator, who makes decisions to approve development projects without consulting the state exco or the SPC.
He added that Lim’s policies on development favoured developers and towkays (tycoon), comparing him with Gerakan's former CM Koh Tsu Koon, who abided strictly to the rules and as a consequence, made those quarters unhappy with his administration.
The DAP has demanded that Chang retract his remarks by tomorrow or face a possible defamation suit, but the latter has challenged to meet the state legal adviser RSN Rayer, who issued the demand, in court.
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