The Penang Development Corporation, the economic arm of the state government, has been accused of undermining the Komtar Merchants Association (KMA) by trying to deal directly with its members.

NONE KMA vice-president Mohamad Ghani Abdul Jiman (right) said the PDC, in a letter dated Aug 10, had invited 25 traders at Komtar’s Ramadan bazaar for a one-on-one interview.

However, the traders have rejected the invitation as they are uncertain of PDC’s agenda, he told a press conference today.

Instead, they have written to inform the PDC not to deal directly with them as they have authorised the KMA to handle related matters.

“Why is the PDC doing this? Isn’t it shameful to be told off by the traders (that they do not want a meeting)?” Mohamad Ghani asked.

“It looks like DAP wants to kick us out when it has come to power but its actions have failed. None of the traders want to deal with them.”

The state government, PDC and KMA have been embroiled in arguments over the annual bazaar since the eve of Ramadan on Aug 9.

The PDC NONE has insisted that the KMA must settle the rental for booths before traders can start operating, while the latter has been adamant that, since 1986, it has paid the rental at the end of the Muslim fasting month.

Mohamad Ghani has been involved in a verbal war with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, going as far as to dare him to a fist fight.

Lim had accused him of breach of trust - of collecting the rental from the traders but not handing it to the PDC.

Penang chief police office Ayob Yaacob had to intervene to tell Mohamad Ghani to calm down, which he did.

Cheques produced

However, still smarting over the accusation, Mohamad Ghani produced 13 cheques today, collected by the KMA as rental for the booths.

NONE He was accompanied by the association’s treasurer Lee Kin Foong, who explained that the cheques were all made out to KMA and not to any individual.

The cheques worth RM25,500 and RM1,960 in cash represents part-payment of rental by 15 traders.

“See, they have paid to to the KMA and not to me. So stop all the lies that I have committed breach of trust,” said Mohammad Ghani.

“We have not banked in the money as we are not sure of the correct amount to pay. The PDC has yet to send us an invoice.”