Another gag order – “No comment” is all MPPP can say on Penang turning into a concrete jungle

10 August 2012

The simplest way to avoid addressing any issue affecting the public is to just seal up one’s lips. This is often demonstrated by DAP on intra-party debacles or on issues involving state policies.

The latest decision undertaken by the Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang (MPPP) to not comment any further on hillslope development in the Pearl of the Orient smacks of the typical gag order practices spearheaded by the Rocket which now has spilled over to local authorities. Wanita MCA implores on MPPP to act and serve independently free of external subtle pressure by DAP. 

Malaysiakini (9 Aug 12) reported that state exco Chow Kon Yeow that from now cease to make any statement in view of cases filed with the Appeal Board. Chow has missed the point that the wanton depletion of Penang’s green lung most particularly in Sg Ara, Mount Pleasure, Mount Erskine is major cause for concerns not only in terms of soil erosion, turning Penang into a concrete jungle but also a contributory factor towards warmer climate.

Release minutes on hillslope development, pronto!

Wanita MCA Penang urges MPPP to heed the Penang Barisan Nasional’s call to release the minutes of meeting pertaining to hillslope development in the name of transparency since DAP came into office under CAT promises i.e. competency, accountability and transparency.

While it is commendable that MPPP met the journalists, MPPP should also take the effort to directly meet the residents affected by the rape of the hills and listen out to their grouses. If the DAP-led state government feels that they do not have to address the electorate’s voices of discontent, at the very least, it should hear out its own member cum state legislator’s representing Tanjung Bungah Teh Yee Cheu who has voiced concerns over excessive hillslope degradation.

We beseech DAP not to deploy the typical gag orders to silence critics or deflect addressing the issue hoping that it would be swept under the carpet. MPPP must serve the rakyat’s interest.

Tan Cheng Liang
Wanita MCA Penang chairman