Azhar calls Penang government ?bigger robbers?

Azhar calls Penang government ‘bigger robbers’

PENANG, Aug 11 — Opposition leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim today labelled the current Penang state government as ‘bigger robbers’ for accepting the balance of RM2.2 million from the sale of Kampung Buah Pala.

Azhar (BN-Penaga) said if Barisan Nasional (BN) are labelled as ‘robbers’ for selling the land, the Pakatan-led government are ‘bigger robbers’ for accepting the balance of the premium.

“If they called us robbers for accepting RM1 million as part payment for the sale of the land, then, they are ‘bigger robbers’ for accepting the balance of RM2.2 million,” said Azhar when Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was winding up debate on the Penang Hill Corporation Bill 2009 at the state assembly sitting today.

Azhar said the endorsement of the land was also done by the current state government on March 27, 2008 after the balance of the premium was received on March 14, 2008.

Lim however said, the present government did not sign any documents pertaining to Kampung Buah Pala, but rather just continued what was done by the previous BN government.

“Why did the BN government sell the land for such a low price? asked Lim.

Syed Amerruddin Syed Ahmad (BN-Bayan Lepas) immediately stood up to clarify that the land price was cheap because Kampung Buah Pala was swapped for another piece of land next to Dewan Sri Pinang which was owned by Koperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Pulau Pinang (KPKPP).

“So, the low price of the land does not arise because the sale of the land was done according to the proper procedures. But before BN could complete the deal, there was a change in the government,” he said.

Lim later said the state government viewed the Kampung Buah Pala issue seriously and would do everything possible to guarantee the welfare of the residents. – Bernama