sPICE civil suit: 'Ratepayers' are BN leaders

The BN was lambasted today for "politically motivating" the four ratepayers who are suing the Penang government over the subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition Centre (sPICE) project.

Pantai Jerejak assemblyperson Sim Tze Tzin (right) said the individuals had told journalists they did not represent any political party when filing the civil suit in the Penang High Court yesterday.

Khoo Yen Her, Abdul Manan Abdul Manap and Sathiasilan Krishnan from Bayan Baru and Rama Krishnan Rajagopal from Farlim want to see the agreement inked on Aug 19.

The agreement to build the RM300 million project was signed between the Penang Muncipal Council (MPPP) and Eco Meridian, a sister company of Umno-linked developer SP Setia Bhd.

Sim, who is PKR Bayan Baru chief, said the claim of non-partisanship has proven to be "untrue" as three of the individuals hold leadership posts in the state BN.

He had earlier revealed that Khoo was personal assistant to former Pantai Jerejak assemblyperson Wong Mun Hoe of Gerakan, but later said that Khoo worked in Wong's service team.

Sim said Abdul Manan is Bayan Baru Umno division treasurer, while Sathiasilan is Bayan Baru MIC division chief. It is uncertain which party Rama Krishnan belongs to.

"This act (to sue the state government) is politically motivated to discredit the development and create doubts about the state and local council's handling of the project," Sim told Malaysiakini .

"These so-called ratepayers are a front for BN. When they filed the action through their lawyer, several top BN state leaders were there to support them.”

Sim said that if the four were sincere, they should question the federal government’s decision to extend toll concession on two highways and the Penang bridge up to 2038.

"BN should stop all this hypocrisy and release the highway and bridge concession agreements for the public to see," he added.

‘Significant issues involved’

In an immediate response, Wong slammed Pakatan for evading the real issues behind the sPICE project, which is to be built in an already dense location in Relau.

Without revealing names, Wong said some politicians seemed to think that they were "above the law".

He said the people have the democratic right to express their objections and to seek legal recourse on state government projects.

"Some politicians who have always claimed to support democracy and freedom of information (are now) bringing up a non-issue, such as questioning whether the individuals are  members of political parties," he told Malaysiakini .

"Does this mean, if they are members, they do not have the right to express themselves? This is so pathetic and disgusting.

"Anyway, what is his stand on the issue as a state assemblyperson? Pantai Jerejak voters do not know exactly where he stands on this matter."

Wong denied that Khoo was on his staff, saying "I am not so fortunate or rich enough like Sim to hire any personal assistants".

He has yet to reply to the allegation that Khoo is on his service team.

State MIC chief PK Subbaiyah confirmed Sathiasilan's post in the party, but said the issues surrounding sPICE were more important than the individuals who filed the suit.

"It is besides the point who they are and where they come from. Since they have filed the suit, it is the state government’s duty to reply to their case," Subbaiyah said.

"Whoever they are, whether they are members of a political party or leaders, they are taxpayers and have the legal right to sue the state government.”.

State Umno information chief, Hilmi Yahya, who was also present at the court complex yesterday, and BN (Umno) coordinator for Bayan Baru Abdul Rahim Saibu, could not be reached for comment.