NGOs unhappy with council
NGOs and residents' associations plan to 'occupy' Penang Town Hall to protest
The Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) has been warned that it will soon be "occupied".
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and residents' associations here are going to emulate the "Occupy Wall Street" movement to demonstrate their displeasure with the local council.
Dr Jimmy Lim, a founding member of the Citizens Awareness Chant group (Chant), said MPPP was believed to be the main contributing factor to Penang's many issues concerning development and the environment.
Lim said in executing its duties, "The MPPP had on several occasions, shown a lack of professionalism."
Referring to the recent controversy surrounding the Kek Lok Si Temple's plans for a car park and a crematorium, he said that the local council had failed to take appropriate action against those who had destroyed hillslopes and cut trees down illegally in the state.
"The council even approved a crematorium project located less than 1km from the Air Itam Dam, a source of Penang's drinking water.
"We want the council to know that they are going to be watched very closely from now on," Lim said after Chant's symposium in Lebuh China here yesterday.
Various issues of concern, such as new developments, high-density housing-projects and threats to the state's natural environment and heritage city status, were deliberated upon at the symposium, which attended by some 50 representatives from various NGOs and residents' associations, as well as members of the public.
Former councillor Lim Kah Cheng, who was a speaker, also pointed out that there had been instances where the council had the power to put a stop to problematic projects, even if they were federal projects, but did not.
She mentioned the tilting arches at the entrance of the Penang Botanic Gardens that had since been demolished, after much public outcry in August last year, as an example.
"That is our beef with the local authorities," she said, adding that NGOs and residents' associations would need to push the local council into allowing them to raise issues and questions at the monthly full council meetings and not just attend to observe proceedings.
The group of NGOs and residents associations is now planning to hold the occupancy after 6pm on Dec 18 at the Town Hall at the Esplanade here, where the council meetings are held.
Read more: NGOs unhappy with council - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/local/general/ngos-unhappy-with-council-1.17587#commentsForm-19146#ixzz1gBnCIteb
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