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'Mafia developers' control Penang
A consumer association takes the state government to task for allowing these developers to turn the state into an exclusive place for the affluent.
Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam (CASSA) president Jacob George said this had triggered an exodus of the lower income people from their home state.
"Secret deals are done not only here but in Singapore and Hong Kong to turn Penang island exclusively for the rich. It's clear that mafia developers have taken over Penang," he alleged.
He slammed the Pakatan Rakyat state government for letting this happen unabated.
George blasted Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for caving in freely to the demands of property developers, who were bent on turning the island into an elitist dwelling.
"The state government is doing nothing about the displacement of communities taking place right under their noses," he told a press conference here.
He said CASSA received numerous complaints from helpless local residents about the wrongdoings in the state, especially on the island.
He said the association's ground study revealed that the developers virtually control and dictate all happenings in Penang.
"They even announce policy decisions," he added.
George pointed to a 2009 news report on a property developer announcing the state government's decision to raise density for property development.
He was amazed that the state government could allow a developer to usurp its power to make the important announcement.
"It clearly shows developers dictate and manipulate policies in Penang," he added.
The CASSA president challenged the state government to prove developers' boast that "higher density would lead to lower property prices."
He called on Lim's government to address the pressing issue instead of bragging about rosy statistics to show the state's high investments and cash reserves.
Culture of fear
He accused Lim of promoting a culture of fear by slapping legal notices against or even insulting and humiliating those who voiced out against his government on the lack of public consultation in development plans.
George said massive development projects were taking place despite complaints from residents like in the Gurney Drive vicinity
He criticised the authorities for turning a deaf ear to numerous complaints regarding late night construction works.
He claimed that residents were threatened and intimidated openly for lodging reports instead of getting help from the authorities.
For the first time in their history, George said, Penangites were being forced to keep their mouth shut.
He said the vocal Penang NGOs were also being shut out and not consulted by the state government on issues of public interest.
"The state government seems to think that the vision for Penang should be what Lim thinks it should be and not what the people want it to be. It's time for the people to regain their power and stop the state government from having a free way," he added.
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