State BN Youth leaders handed over RM224,073 to a representative of the Penang government in Komtar this morning.

The group, led by the wing’s chief Oh Tong Keong, brought cash for the purchase of a 1.1-acre plot of land in Taman Manggis, for public housing.

The money is one percent of the total cost of the land, which the BN leaders had agreed to acquire at RM450 per sq ft.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's assistant Farida Hani M Yacob, who met with he BN representatives, declined to accept the cash. The BN Youth wing then banked the money into a Maybank account in its branch at Komtar.

NONE They then handed over the bank slip stating the amount to Farida, which she accepted.

"We're paying the one percent deposit today to show our sincerity and promises fulfilled. We are serious about this.

“We have made history, for it is historic for an opposition party to buy land and build public housing," said Oh, who is also state Gerakan Youth chief.

"We should enter the Guinness Book of World Records," he told reporters.

Oh said that since the advance for the land had been paid, the state government should issue the sale and purchase agreement as soon as possible, adding that BN had appointed a lawyer to handle the matter on its side.

He expressed hope that Lim and the DAP would not play politics to delay the matter.

Special purpose vehicle will build units

State BN Youth information chief H'ng Khoon Leng, who was also present, said the group was “forced” to bring cash as no payment details were provided for the money.

“No payment details were provided such as amount to be paid, land size to be sold, lot numbers, payment schedule, payment reference numbers and payee account details. We took a proactive stand to force this sale!” exclaimed H’ng, who is also state Gerakan Youth deputy chief.

Oh also said the state BN had set up a special purpose vehicle named "Taman Manggis Phase II" for the public housing project, and that the money it paid should be used by the state to build the units at Jalan SP Chelliah.

Meanwhile, Lim's political secretary Ng Wei Aik confirmed receipt of the money, saying the BN had finally responded to his letter asking the coalition to buy the land, which was handed over personally to the state BN operations centre on Sept 6.

Ng, who is Komtar assemblyperson, said making the payment meant that the BN’s “excuses” that the offer letter was not valid and proper were no longer valid.

However, Ng said he was surprised as to how the BN Youth could gather that much cash, saying that the state DAP headquarters was unable to raise even half of that amount.

“Even those who are rich would not be carrying around that much cash,” Ng told a press conference.

NONE “I would like to tell them that we are not a money-laundering machine. Maybe they are used to carrying around that much cash, but we are not,” he added.

Ng ( right ) reminded the BN that the land must only be used for public housing, adding that the Penang Municipal Council would be happy to approve the plans for the building if these were submitted as soon as possible.

However, Ng added, the BN Youth leaders had tried to avoid the matter by stating in their letter this morning that the money would be used for public housing at Jalan SP Chelliah, instead of Taman Manggis.

On when the BN had to pay up the full amount, Ng said, “We will leave that to the state executive council to decide.”

Ng, who is state DAP Socialist Youth chief, said the state government has issued an official receipt for the plot of land, and he also called on the Gerakan leaders to give an assurance that the money is from “halal” sources.

“We do not want Umno to later accuse us of using haram (illegal) money to build public housing. The Malays will not accept it if the money is from haram sources,” he added.