GEORGE TOWN, Nov 30 — The Penang government blames the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) administration for the state’s controversial land reclamation projects, claiming the state would be driven to bankruptcy if it did not proceed with them. 

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who is the DAP national secretary-general, said out of the 1,311 ha approved by BN for the projects, 301ha had been reclaimed for the Penang Transport Masterplan.  

“We can postpone the reclamation of the remaining 1,010ha but we would have to pay compensation amounting to RM1 billion. This would drive the state into bankruptcy,” he said at the 2015 Penang DAP Convention here.

“We were attacked and condemned for the plan that was approved by BN.”

Lim said the state government had paid RM35 million over the Tang Hak Ju land issue and to Boustead Holdings Bhd to reduce the height of its hotel in George Town, both projects approved by BN.

He said if Penang went bankrupt, it would affect the state’s aid for the elderly and needy as well as for university students. 

State DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the party must be on the alert against attempts by Barisan Nasional to wrest the state back.

“As the general election draws nearer, the state opposition is attempting to make a comeback by highlighting issues such as foreign investment, housing, illegal hill clearing, sea reclamation and environmental issues,” he said.

“We must face these challenges as a united team and I believe we can answer all allegations.

Chow said the party would continue to show its support for its national secretary-general.

“Even though there are many insults from certain ‘mosquito’ party, we still support you (Lim) in leading the state,” he said.

Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu, who created a stir for tendering his resignation as the Penang DAP organising secretary last week, turned up at the event with a green heart painted on his left cheek.

He said he had attended an environmental event earlier and that the painting was not political.

Teh resigned from his post as he had supported BN’s motion on land reclamation at the Penang Assembly on Nov 20.

The convention was attended by 867 delegates.