CITIZEN AWARENESS CHANT GROUP - PRESS RELEASE 13OCT2011

Press release- October 13th 2011

Private citizens, and representatives from the following Groups & NGO's attended; Penang Heritage Trust(PHT), Pykett Westland KhawSimBee Residents Group(PRG), Tanjong Bungah Residents Association (TBRA), Consumers Association Penang (CAP) Savoy Gardens Residents Group(SGRG), Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam(PEKA), Penang Forum & Green Voters .2 Penang, had come together for first discussion on Wednesday 12th October 2011

The Penang Citizens’ Awareness Chant group is a coming together of private citizens, NGO's & interested parties who wish to engage the press & media by issuing appeals to the Authorities to take appropriate actions to safeguard Penang's fragile heritage & natural environment.

We have been compelled to act by the seemingly lack of action on the part of authorities against the rampant over development of Penang and the negligence that is allowed to take place. It is time for the authorities to be more vigilant to protect the quality of life for all Penangites and to ensure that our beloved natural environment & heritage is not destroyed.

The Penang Citizens’ Awareness Chant Group has compiled this list, which we are releasing to the press. All items listed below need immediate attention from the authorities. We feel the authorities are duty bound to act, within their responsibility and we will continue to 'chant' this list until action is taken.

Of most urgent concern is the ongoing:

1. Kek Lok Si Car Park development, Crematorium & Columbarium. Pollution of the Ayer Itam Dam from crematorium fall out, & the displacement of Savoy garden residents. We question how development on this scale can be allowed. This clearing has direct impact on one of our main waterways and on the local natural environment. 
2. Pykett Avenue Demolition & consequences of overdevelopment in this neighborhood. The issue of the illegal demolition has not been resolved satisfactorily. We question the illegal demolition that is rampant with no consequences.
3. UNESCO WHS demolition of buildings within the zones is still taking place, as well as rampant illegal renovations. We question the lack of enforcement by MPPP on demolitions, illegal renovations & swiftlet farming. Which is tantamount to having a chicken coup or chicken farm as your neighbour. The sound of jack hammers ring through George Town at weekends & public holidays. We question why MPPP lacks the ability to investigate & question these renovations. The building codes are clear.
4. sPICE. We question the reasons behind the sale of the 24 acre PISA complex to SP Setia and request full transparency in this matter.
5. Development density increased to 87 units per acre based on allowable plot ratio of 2.8. We question the rational behind this when there is still no plan for improved infrastructure and traffic management.
6. Penang Local Plan has still not been released for public scrutiny. Where is it? 
7. Penang Hill Development. We wish to see transparency with regards to the Crag Hotel Development, the designs planned for the Upper & Lower Stations, and the saga of the now defunct car park development at the Lower Hill Railway station. The Penang Hills Special Area Plan should be released to the public.
8. Penang Turf Club sale of land to Berjaya Land Bhd's subsidary. To a total of 57 acres located at the Penang Turf Club vicinity. We question the consequences of this development with the increased density of 87 units per acre = 4959. We question the social impact on the current community, infrastructure and traffic in the area.
9. Swiftlet Farming in the Unesco WHS and residential areas. The Authorities must adopt the 1Garis Panduan and enforce the regulations in this guideline. The authorities must implement the swiftlet farm removal plan from the Unesco WHS in line with the DPM's statement (Sept 2nd 2010)that swiftlet farms would be prohibited & removed form the Unesco WHS within 3 years. Threats include but not limited to damage to historical building structures & threat to public health. Swiftlet farming is tantamount to having a chicken coup or a chicken farm as your neighbour.
10. George Town Unesco WHS. There is an urgency to get the SAP adopted & approved.
11. Penang Traffic Plan. There is a need for the overall traffic plan to be adopted and approved. Developments cannot be allowed to go on without the traffic plan in place. 
12. Development audit. An audit of all developments on Penang island. This is all about accountability. Is there sense in all these developments if returns are insignificant. Impact on the natural environment around large developments is compromised & if they fail, then there is knock on effect in home costs, degradation of neighborhoods etc. 
13. Over development on our northern beaches. There is inadequate infrastructure to support such growth. We question this.
14. Impact of reclamation. Examples are the Gurney mudflats and the area around Queensbay. The 'growth' of mudflats in these areas compromise the whole natural & manmade drainage infrastructure of Penang Island. We question the lack of environmental impact reports made public on this issue.
15. The Rifle Club in the Botanical Gardens. The expansion of this club within the Botanical garden area is questionable & it is no longer appropriate in an area so beloved by the public of Penang.
16. PDC demolition of shophouses at Magazine Road & Sia Boey, and the Prangin market building and parking lot on the Prangin Canal. We ask for transparency and request all plans for this site, which marks the entrance to our Unesco WHS, to be publicly released. We question the legitimacy of PDC to demolish this area of historically significant shophouses right on the edge of the WHS.
17. 'Dead End' Traffic & road system on the Northern beaches. We demand accountability on this project and question why this has been abandoned and now totally defunct.
18. Significant historic buildings & sites in danger:
    1. Tenby School Site & SP Setia- Burma Lane. Planned development 'V' Residence. We request transparency in this matter. Plans & traffic & infrastructure reports should be released to the public. 
    2. 457 Burma Road-'Safari'- also planned for development. We request transparency on this location.
    3. The Ayer Hitam Estate- earmarked for redevelopment?
       The Penang Taxpayers Chant Group will meet at regular intervals in order to specifically engage the press on specific topics within this list. Members of the public & representatives of NGO's will take the time to inform the press on these issues and their consequences. We ask all concerned citizens & NGO's to join us as one voice against the lack of enforcement & engagement shown by the authorities. We wish to compel State & MPPP to act and with the support of all concerned citizens we can make a change & preserve Penang for our future generations.

Citizens Awareness Chant Group

citizenchant.group@gmail.com