if you love penang, write to the CM now!

UPDATED: latest interesting picture from anil’s blog showing how penang would look like if PGCC is ready.

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i had blog on the penang global city centre (PGCC) once and if you want to read more about PGCC, the place to go is anit netto’s blog. lots of updated interesting information there. anil is also a member of aliran penang.

3 days ago i received from the aliran mailing list, email from the penang heritage trust (PHT) appealing to all who love penang to write to the CM to object to the PGCC project or at least scale it down – because truth be known, once the project had already been launched, it won’t be scrapped at all. further, you know lah, the project benefited the cronies, so why would they scrap it.  especially when it involved one man very close to the PM – patrick ‘badawi’.

anyway, here is what PHT had to say. you can also read about it at its website.

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Dear all,

Please forward this to your group/friends or please consider putting in the appeal letter in your website:

PHT

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Penang Global City Centre project: Stand up and be counted

Numerous e-mails have been sent to ask "This is horrific – We want to do something? What can we do?" 

This is an example of the many e-mails received:

‘This plan is a complete travesty of what Penang should stand for in the 21st century: a still impressive reminder of another age, when the value of things was not predicated on their sheer size or height. If this proceeds Pegang can say goodbye to any standing as a heritage city — and to its tourist revenues. The plan should be opposed at all levels, and at all cost.’
We are attaching a sample letter to be sent to the CM – address provided. It would be impressive and scary for him to receive 100s or 1000s of letters in his office  OR if you wish to send it by electronic means, please send to his secretary at chuihong at penang.gov.my

or the letter may be adapted and sent to the PM   or  to the MP of the area YB Chia Kwang Chye, at gerakan at gerakan.org.my

Please let us know when you send a letter, so that we can keep track of how many concerned citizens have been pro-active enough to express their fears.

i am reproducing the letter in full here for easy access, but if you want it in word document format, go to PHT website and download it ok. don’t forget to send it off  ASAP!

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Date:

To

Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon

Chief Minister of Penang

Level 28, KOMTAR

10502 Pulau Pinang

Dear Tan Sri,

RE THE PGCC TURF CLUB PROJECT

I would like to add my name to the increasingly large group of Penangites and Malaysians who have very grave concerns about the above project.

My/Our reasons for opposing this project are:-

1. Environmental impacts.

A substantial green lung, much needed by Penangites to enjoy, being lost to benefit private developers..

A high density mini-city being introduced in George Town that is not needed, either socially, economically, culturally or physically and which will clearly cause a deteriorating urban environment in the city.

A worsening traffic situation in the vicinity of the site will be further complicated by the extra traffic generated (6,933 residential units, 27,000 car parks).

2. Improper approval procedures for project.

Assuming fast track approval before a detailed EIA has been prepared and approved.

Conversion of a recreational open space to mixed development in the Structure Plan against public opinion.

Lack of public consultation with regards to the project of this scale (in comparison to PORR project).

Approved density of nearly 30 units to an acre against that prevailing density in the neighbouring lots of 6 units to an acre

Transfer of development rights from non-developable hill land (over 250 ft above sea-level) to the flatter section of the site being granted.

Exemption from provision of the low cost housing component on the site.

3. Public deception and inappropriate political support.

Deceiving the public during the launch by excluding 37 high rise blocks integral to the plan in the publicity blitz in the models and illustrations displayed to the press and public

Inappropriate statements of support made by high ranking state & national public figures during the launching of the project before approval by local authorities

Almost-total media blackout of public concerns and queries raised smacks suspiciously of a media conspiracy.

You, Tan Sri, as the Chief Minister representing the people of Penang, have the final right over land matters in the State.

Please show us that you still care for Penang by making a stance in favour of the greater common good. In your heart you must know that this project will destroy the Penang we all love.

Yours truly in support of Penang,

………………..

Name:

I.C. Number:

Address: