GEORGE TOWN, Nov 26 ― Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng challenged the federal government today to indemnify the state from compensating those who would be affected by cancellations of land reclamation projects greenlighted by the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) administration.
The DAP-led state administration has been under pressure from environmental activists as well as lawmakers from both sides of the political divide over the high number of land reclamation projects being rolled out now.
“If BN really wants these land reclamation projects be cancelled, then will the federal government give us indemnity and pay us back for any compensation we have to pay out?” he asked.
He pointed out that the cancelling of approved land reclamation projects is a serious matter that could involve compensations of up to RM1 billion.
“We are forced to accept reclamation projects approved by the previous BN administration and if we were to cancel these projects, we have to pay compensation of up to RM1 billion which may bankrupt the state,” he said in a press conference at his office today.
Lim, who was heavily criticised by his political opponents for allegedly allowing extensive land reclamation projects in the state, claimed the previous BN state government had approved a total 3,241 acres of land reclamation projects as opposed to the current administration's 60 acres.
He also said there was no need for BN to try table a motion to stop new land reclamation projects as there were already existing strict regulations involving environmental impact studies and public consultation.
Last week, BN had tried to table a motion against land reclamation projects in the state pending environmental studies and public consultations.
The motion was voted down by 23 Pakatan Harapan state assemblymen while nine BN and one DAP assemblymen voted for it. Five PKR assemblymen had abstained from voting.
The sole DAP assemblyman who voted for it, Teh Yee Cheu, later apologised for his action, calling it “a mistake” while PKR released a statement stating that its representatives are allowed conscience voting including abstaining from voting due to public interest.
