Former Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairperson Tan Cheng Liang expressed sadness that the state under Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng talks about evicting the management from Swettenham Pier when it is a cash cow.

“This land is ruled by laws and not by dictators. How can he kill the goose that lays the golden eggs?” Tan, who is state MCA Wanita chief, asked at a press conference today.

NONE Tan ( right ) claimed that the port is able to generate about RM300 million annually from its 1.2 million passengers, and the revenue has seen an increase since 2008.

It was regrettable, she added, that Lim as CM has made all kinds of excuses to prevent the PPC from acquiring the land which houses the pier, and thus, preventing it from obtaining the occupancy certificate (OC), even though the terminal “is safe and poses no problems”.

“As CM, Lim has the responsibility to take care of the economy and of the welfare of Penangites,” Tan said.

“The RM65 million port helps generate income for all sectors, from hawkers to hotel lines, and is now the number one port in Malaysia,” she added.

“As the federal government, we try to help, even though we lost to Pakatan Rakyat (in Penang) in 2008,” added Tan, who became PPC chairperson in October that year.

Tan was replaced by MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek in 2010.

‘Guan Eng’s duty to help pier get OC’

Tan also said that Lim as CM also had the duty to help the pier get the full OC.

The pier, completed in 2009, only has a temporary six-monthly lease which will end next year.

“He can’t push the issue of us not getting OC to the local council,” said Tan.

Tan was responding to Lim’s comment that since the state government was the owner of the land that houses Swettenham Pier, he could decide to “evict” the PPC - but that he was not so unreasonable to do it.

NONE Lim ( right ), who is also the DAP secretary-general, said that he preferred “collaboration instead of confrontation” and wanted the port management to seek the state’s views on how to develop and manage the terminal.

Lim had also said that he wanted to ensure that the port is managed properly, unlike another project under the PPC - Tanjung City Marina - which he claims is in poor shape.

The RM44 million marina - part of a RM210 million project to rehabilitate the George Town waterfront, is located next to the Church Street Pier and is currently managed by Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB).

The PPC had applied for the land title for Swettenham Pier in 2006 and it was approved by the BN.

In 2007, the PPC asked for a discount on the land premium, but in 2008, the approval was cancelled.

In 2009, the PPC applied again and has received no reply from the state government until today.

State secretary on PPC board

On collaboration with the state government, Tan said the state secretary was on the PPC board.

“Is Lim saying that he wants to sit all on boards? Isn’t the state secretary part of the state government? That he has to execute whatever the state decides?” she queried.

Tan also expressed regret that Lim continues to “lie and twist facts” that she had promised RM10 million to develop the marina.

“There is no proof I said this. He started the fire, not me,” said the former Jawi assemblyperson.

“Lim wants to cause the hatred and anger of Penangites, so he continues to give excuses and twist facts,” Tan added.