Penang BN has gone on the offensive against the state government's newly-inked RM300 million subterannean Penang International Convention and Exhibition Centre (sPICE) project in Relau to replace the dilapidated Penang International Sports Arena.

As part of its strategy, Penang BN - which described sPICE as the state government's "biggest scandal of the decade” - has printed 50,000 copies of fliers to be distributed to "educate" the public about the alleged horrors of the project.

NONE State BN working group chief Dr Teng Hock Nan ( far right in photo ) said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has pawned the interests of the people by signing a lopsided agreement with the developer, Eco Meridican Sdn Bhd.

Eco Meridian is a subsidiary of Umno-linked developer, SP Setia Bhd.

Teng said feedback has poured in from various groups and organisations concerned about the project.

"The people have contacted us to take the necessary steps to ensure that their interests will not be taken away," Teng told a press conference in Penang yesterday.

penang dap headquaters splash by red paint 140811 chow kon yeow "Many are not quite well informed about the implications of sPICE, so these fliers were printed to educate them on this issue," Teng added.

State executive council member Chow Kon Yeow ( right ) had earlier denied that the project would benefit the developer.

Chow said the granting of concession rights by the state and the Penang Municipal Council was aimed at benefiting the public.

However, Teng continued to question the ‘CAT’ state government on the benefits of the sPICE project for ordinary Penangites, other than being able to “enjoy” seven acres of a garden rooftop.

CAT is the DAP-led government’s acronym for competency, accountability and transparency.

'Cause of shame for Penang gov't'

Teng, who mocked Lim ( left ) for his boasts about being ‘the first’ in various accomplishments, said there were three ‘firsts’ that should be a cause for shame for the Penang government.

Among them, he said, was its breach of policy against the building of houses in excess of 1,500 units - the maximum density allowed.

penang mangrove forest "Increased density affects everyone's quality of life in Penang. There are implications for traffic, water and electricity supplies and floods, among others," he warned.

Teng said the CAT government had also been the first to provide free land to a developer to build 450 low-medium-cost (LMC) houses on mature land complete with proper infrastructure.

The concession for the developer extends to 30 years, but will be cancelled if no land is found for the project, Teng claimed.

"Allowing the developer to build LMC (housing) not bigger than 650sq ft, which can cost more than RM72,000, is also another first that the CAT government has done," he said.

Teng also claimed that the Penang Muncipal Council wouold have to fork out RM50 million for the project, which would eventually belong to the developer, not to the people.

Eco Meridian would run this project on a commercial basis, with the people having to pay for the use of the convention and exhibition centres.

Meanwhile, state BN information chief Loga Balan Mohan hit out at the Penang government’s Buletin Mutiara for an article blaming the previous BN administration for the faulty multi-storey carpark at the foot of Penang Hill.

The viability of the car park, a project under the state’s Penang Development Corporation, has come into dispute following the emergence of technical problems.

Buletin Mutiara was started by the Penang government after it perceived a lack of coverage in the mainstream media to explain its policies to the people.

NONE Loga Balan castigated Lim ( left ) for being "gutless" by purportedly refusing to accept responsibility for the car park woes and pointing his finger at BN.

"The CM lies in Buletin Mutiara . The so-called ‘facts’ mentioned there are untrue," he decried.

"If the BN is responsible for the failure of the car park, ask Lim to produce the implementation plan for it," demanded Loga Balan, who is the state People's Progressive Party chief.

"The federal government may have allocated RM5 million for the car park, but the technical plan was implemented under Lim's administration," he said.

Loga Balan urged Lim to stop misleading the people over the controversial structure, dubbed the ‘Kancil car park’ as only small cars could be parked inside.

Claims dismissed as ‘irrelevant’

In an immediate response to the issue, the DAP said it would not only print 50,000 fliers but also distribute e-copies of its rebuttal to the allegations by the Penang BN.

NONE Komtar assemblyperson Ng Wei Aik ( right ) said the state BN leaders seemed to have the “best imagination” when conjuring up details about the sPICE project.

The state DAP secretary dismissed as “irrelevant” the claims that there would be traffic, electricity, water and flood problems when the project is constructed.

“We can’t simply say these things without justification, just to mislead the people on the impact of the project.

“Tell us how will these problems occur just because of the project?” demanded Ng, who is the chief minister's political secretary.

Ng also rubbished claims by BN that the controversial project could  escalate housing prices in Penang.

“Such an argument shows they (BN) are good in mathematics. They can do all sort of calculations without basis,” he added.

Ng said the DAP would continue to tackle the lies from the BN over the project, saying it had no locus standi to sue the coalition over its false claims.

However, if the MPPP, which is responsible for the development, wants to sue the BN, “it is up to them”, added Ng.

“We want to tackle the issue politically. The state government can take it up legally,” he added.