The controversial Bukit Jambul Golf Club will finally be managed by a RM5mil, and not a RM2 company, that was proposed by Bayan Baru MP, Zahrain Mohd Hashim, once of PKR but now an Independent.

The Penang state government has agreed to outsource the management and operations of the controversial Bukit Jambul Country Club to a Japanese company, Taiyo Resort (KL) Berhad.

Chief minister Lim Guan Eng said the appointment of Taiyo was a result of an open tender, where it beat out of seven other companies bidding for the project.

BJCC is owned by Island Golf Properties Bhd (IGP), is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Penang Development Corporation (PDC), a state entity.

"Take note that Taiyo has a paid up capital of RM5 mil and not RM2," said chief minister Lim Guan Eng yesterday, scoffing at Zahrain's recommendation to appoint an allegedly questionable company to run the club.

"The outsourcing shall be 20 years, with a total revenue of RM80 million and we hope to see a transformation that will professionalise the golf club," said Lim, at his office in Komtar yesterday.

Earlier, Lim claimed (in his official blog: cm.penang.gov.my) that Zahrain's reasons for leaving PKR was clearly due to his "self-admitted private interests and personal unhappiness" over his refusal to fulfil his requests in IGP.

He added that Zahrain had outlined his reasons for quitting all positions in PKR and to become an independent MP by repeating his false allegations that he was removed as chairperson of IGP.

"I have immediately rebutted on Monday that this is not true. PDC has informed me that no letter has been sent by either PDC or IGP to any director of IGP, including Zahrain of any changes.

Zahrain has been the chairperson and director of IGP since July 9, 2008 but has since quit his post after he left PKR.