The Penang Global City Centre project has been stalled after a concerted civil society campaign. We must never buy into a developer’s claims so easily without first critically questioning all the details and the evidence, says Concerned Penangite CLW.
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A people’s hearing publicly identifies those who were guilty of transgressions of human rights and acquits those who had been detained. Julian C H Lee has the story.
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The levels of corruption in all areas of life are evident and marked. The judiciary is in a shambles; the police, customs and immigration departments are reeling from serious questions of credibility. The only option now seems to be to register a strong protest vote at the next general election, urges K Haridas.
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No amount of wind turbines, green lungs and good intentions can offset the carbon foot print of constructing a “zero-carbon city” – unless you build a solar photovoltaic power plant as a central energy source first, says Gwynn Jenkins.
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Concerned Malaysians are encouraged to send petition letters to the Chief Minister of Penang to stop the Penang Global City Centre project before it is too late. (See sample letter below)
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The Penang Global City Centre (PGCC) is being developed by Abad Naluri, a
25 percent-owned associate firm of Taman Equine, which in turn is
wholly owned by developer Equine Capital. Equine’s executive chairman
is Patrick Lim, widely seen as one of the most influential businessmen
in Malaysia. Former premier Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, himself often accused of cronyism
during his 22-year tenure at the helm, has reportedly referred to Lim
as ‘’Patrick Badawi’’, alluding to the perceived close ties between
Abdullah and Lim.
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Penang Turf Club land (240 acres)
Sold to Abad Naluri ("open recreational space"): RM43 per square foot
After re-zoning (to "mixed development"): value soars to RM250-300psf
Developer makes windfall profits before work can even begin!
Aliran puts the spotlight on an iconic monument to folly known as the Penang Global City Centre Project with an eye-popping development value estimated at RM25 billion. Critics have dubbed it the "Penang Graveyard and Crematorium Complex" because of its proximity to a crematorium and a cemetery. Already a civil society campaign against the PGCC is gaining momentum as more and more Penangites become aware of its horrendous environmental implications. Instead of creating a concrete monstrosity with 40 towers, the government must convert the Turf Club land into a State Park as a legacy for future generations
As dozens of demonstrators, activists, opposition politicians and even lawyers are hauled up on various charges, the judiciary should provide hope for democracy and justice to prevail. But how independent is our judiciary in the light of the Lingam video scandal? A string of civil society groups and political parties express grave concern after the most outrageous, scandalous and shameful episode in Malaysian judicial history.
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Burma is one country with zero democracy. In the light of the bloody crackdown against peaceful protesters there, John Smith Thang recounts the rise of the brutal military regime and how it morphed into a brutal dictatorship.
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Can we look up to Gandhi to confront the misuse of religion for the political agenda of the mighty at the global as well as local level?
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