Ahad, 21 Jun 2009

PKR task force to scrutinise controversial projects

Penang PKR has set up a task force to look into all contentious and controversial development projects affecting the people in the state.
The task force to be headed by PKR state youth chief, Yusmaidi Yusoff, will look into all controversial projects to check on issues like natural and social justice, environment, human development and traffic management.
Once it has completed its investigations, the task force will prepare a working paper revealing its findings in detail and make recommendations to the state government.
As part of the Pakatan Rakyat state government, the state PKR is keen to ensure that Penangites’ views and opinions were duly considered and given priority by authorities on any development projects.
The state PKR set up the task force during last Friday’s meeting of its parliamentarians, legislators and councillors.
penang pkr chief 030109 zahrain hassimPKR state chief Zahrain Hashim, who chaired the meeting, has issued a directive to the task force to use the controversial Oasis development project at Kampung Buah Pala, Bukit Gelugor as its catalyst programme.
The task force would check on all details of the project and the village land deals to determine whether it was a sustainable development project for the state.
The task force will then submit a proposal paper, comprising all problems and controversies pertaining to the project, and make recommendations to resolve them to the state government.
Yusmaidi, also a lawyer, said Kampung Buah Pala was an unique case in which the previous state government nullified the villagers of their equitable rights over their trust land.
Preserve Kg Buah Pala as a state heritage
The villagers have sought the state government to resolve the controversy and declare their 6.4 acre Kampung Buah Pala as a state heritage.
Kampung Buah Pala is known among locals as “Indian High Chaparral” because of its population of cowherds, cattles, goats and Tamil traditional cultural features.
During the Ponggal (harvesting) festival celebrations held at the village in January, Unesco officials have called on the Pakatan Rakyat state government officials to preserve the village as a state heritage.
buah pala high chaparral vigil 200609 03The villagers are facing eviction to make way for the lucrative Oasis development following a Court of Appeal decision last month favouring the developer, Nusmetro Venture (P) Sdn Bhd.
The villagers have filed an appeal at the Federal Court to overturn the appellate court’s decision and the case is up for hearing next Wednesday.
Meanwhile, social activist Dalbinder Singh Gill urged the Chief Miinister Lim Guan Eng to use the Section 76 of the National Land Code to acquire the village land and preserve its as a state heritage.
“It’s not sub-judice for the chief minister to use the law to acquire the land while the case is pending in court,” he said.
He also accused Nusmetro of breaching the local council by-laws by advertising and selling Oasis even though the land had not been vacated and no environmental impact assessment (EIA) report had been prepared yet.
Athi Veeranggan, Mkini

Tiada ulasan:

Catat Ulasan