There is another war raging in Penang, other than the alleged DAP-Christian conspiracy to install a Christian prime minister and declare Christianity as the official religion of the federation.

The Tan Hak Ju purported land scandal in Seberang Perai involving the previous state government under BN is fast catching up to be the next battle ground between DAP and Gerakan.

State Gerakan chief Teng Hock Nan is now being pressured to come clean over the deal dubbed the ‘Tan Hak Ju Land Scam’ previously approved by the Barisan Nasional government.

azlan Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy has insisted that the deal was a scam and that Teng had failed to be pro-active in resolving the issue while he was in the state executive council, prior to 2008.

He said the case, which may cost the state government up to RM40 million in legal suits and compensation to businessman Tan Hak Ju, cannot simply be classified as “negligence or a technical mistake”.

He added that Teng, as a state exco member in the previous administration, must take full responsiblity over the matter, and not just push the blame to the government officers who were put in charge of the file.

Ramasamy continued to taunt the former Kebun Bunga assemblyperson, saying that he was “bewildered” over why the latter could not resolve the issue instead of allowing it to become a financial burden for the state.

“We maintain it is a scam. In fact, it is more than that. There are too many questions left unanswered,” he told Malaysiakini .

“Everything about this case went wrong. Why did Tan go ahead and apply for this land if he already knew that two organisations owned it?” he queried.

“It is bewildering why the previous state government did not let him have the RM1.8 million and alternative land he asked for or they could have offered it to him... we could have saved Penangites RM40 million now,” he added.

Teng offended over remark about his role

Ramasamy was responding to Teng, who recently lamented that he was offended over a remark made about his role in the alleged scam, which was revealed in a White Paper at the state legislative assembly on Tuesday.

NONE Teng ( right ) had criticised Ramasamy for uttering the comment before reading the minutes of the previous meetings.

He said he took “strong exception” to Ramasamy’s statement that he was not being ‘proactive’ in trying to reach a compromise with Tan.

According to the White Paper, Tan’s application for the 4.2 hectar land was initially approved by the state, without obtaining the necessary approval from five related government department, then cancelled when it was found that the land belonged to another party.

Teng said Tan could have been compensated if he produced the relevant documents, but he did not go back to the state government then but went instead to the court to seek redress.

Teng added that a probe into the case later revealed that Tan had prior knowledge of the land ownership which he did not disclose to the previous government.

The state assembly had, after tabling the White Paper, decided to re-file the case to set aside the High Court award which amounts to RM40mil.

Ramasamy continued to insist that Teng had failed to cooperate with the Pakatan Rakyat government over the land matter.

Asked if the state government would welcome Teng if he were to offer his assistance now, Ramasamy said, “It is a bit too late”, but was quick to add “it is never too late”.

“We will welcome him if he approaches the state government to give his assistance,” said Ramasamy.