Despite having missed the due date for full payment of the cost of land in Taman Manggis, the Penang BN Youth is insisting that the state furnishes them with a sales and purchase agreement.

NONE Its head Oh Tong Keong said they would get their lawyers to speak to the state legal advisors to draw up the agreement, to obtain clear specifications on the proposed development.

"What is so difficult about giving us the agreement? According to the National Land Code, state land alienation should be accompanied by Borang 5A and a sales and purchase agreement," he said.

The wing had been given an extended deadline, which expired yesterday, to pay the remaining RM22,183,227 for the 0.45ha plot where public housing for the poor was to be built by a BN-friendly special purpose vehicle company.

Taman Manggis Phase II Development Sdn Bhd board member Khoo Boo Soon had said last week that the idea of affordable housing had trumped the public housing plan.

However, Oh countered: "We are totally against that idea. This is what happens when there is no sales and purchase agreement. Hence, the need for the agreement, so we know exactly how to develop the land."

Earlier today, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state exco would meet to decide on the next course of action on BN Youth's failure to meet the deadline.

Call for dialogue

On a related matter, state Umno Youth chief Shaik Hussein Mydin and state Gerakan Youth deputy chief H'ng Khoon Leng have received a legal notice for alleging that Lim was corrupt in the Taman Manggis deal.

NONE "Lim is trying to shut us up when he goes around preaching freedom of expression. I received the notice dated Nov 30 and H'ng got his on Sept 26. We were asked to retract our words that were published in online news portals," said Shaik Hussein (left) .

"We are not doing it. Instead, we want Lim to organise a dialogue with H'ng and me at his office. Just him and us without supporters before the media that can act like the judge. That way we can clear this matter in the open."

He said this would enable both parties to prove their claims with facts. The person who fails to produce proper evidence would have to apologise to Penangites.

Giving Lim seven days to respond to the offer, Shaik Hussein said it would be a good opportunity for Lim to gain the people's confidence and win the general election.

Shaik Hussein also listed questions for Lim to answer on the tender process, the value and acquisition process, among other issues relating to the deal.

- The Malay Mail