Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) has joined the bandwagon of those opposing the setting up of a solar panel plant in Batu Kawan, saying it is hazardous to residents and the fishing community there.

Despite its CAT principles, the Penang government continues to face questions on its lack of public consultation in approving the solar panel project there, PCM said.

NONE CAT is the acronym for competency, accountability and transparency the Pakatan Rakyat government adopted after is 2008 victory in Penang.

Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-president Huan Cheng Guan ( right ) said the DAP-led government has failed to consult the relevant stakeholders or residents on the proposed plant despite its CAT motto.

"They did not engage with the people in the area. Where is the accountability?" Huan asked at a press conference yesterday.

"No one has given a proper assurance that the RM2.05 billion plant by German industrial giant Robert Bosch GmbH will be safe," said the former Batu Kawan MP,who was once a state Gerakan vice-chief.

"Can the state government give any form of guarantee that the plant will be safe? If something were to happen to it, who will be responsible?" asked Huan.

Gerakan Kedah Youth chief Tan Keng Liang has also been questioning the safety aspect of the plant, asking Malaysians to "Save Penang" from health risks.

'Gerakan's concern is hypocrisy'

Penang Gerakan complaints and services bureau chief Rich Too said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should clear the air as the project "will be located in a residential area".

NONE In response, State executive councillor Phee Boon Poh - who chairs the environment, health and caring society committee - dismissed Gerakan's concern as "hypocrisy".

Phee ( right ), who is Sungai Puyu assemblyperson, pointed out that Gerakan had been silent about a similar project in Kedah while it was under BN administration.

State investment agency InvestPenang chief Lee Kah Choon noted that that the federal government has promoted investment in the solar panels, world's fastest growing energy industry, which has placed Malaysia as the world's third-largest solar module manufacturer.

Huan also expressed concern over Batu Kawan's seafood business, which he said may be destroyed by the plant which will sit on 32.4ha of land.

He claimed that the solar plant, which has potential health risks, will affect the people and the fishing community in the area.

He asked why there was a need for a solar plant in Penang when the state had been surviving without this business all this while.

Huan also questioned why the state government had to accept this investment when it could accept other types of investments into the state.

"People have not died of hunger without it," he said, and proposed that Parliament sets up a select committee to investigate the plant.