The Penang government has been accused of placing the interests of investors above that of the people's, and also that it does not hold adequate consultations with the public and NGOs.

Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam (Cassa) president Jacob George said the Penang government has not fulfilled the demands of Local Agenda 21, where state governments pledge to plan for sustainable development into the next century.

"If I want to rate (the performance of the state government), I will give it only less than four points out of 10," he told reporters in Penang yesterday.

NONE Jacob ( left ) said his concerns were based on a three-day survey carried out in Penang, via questionnaires and interviews with hawkers, fishermen, bus commuters and other Penangites.

He added that his team is in the midst of conducting roadshows in all states to raise awareness among the people so that they can make "an informed choice" at the 13th general election, which may be called in June.

Jacob also lamented that whenever NGOs questioned about the development in Penang, they will in turn be asked whether the problem was initiated by the present or previous government.

But the present government has the obligation to correct the wrongs and not to blame the previous administration, he said, referring to the state administration led by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Penang now a concrete jungle

"We want to know whether public interests have been undermined by economic interests as it is disheartening to see those from the middle and poor classes displaced, marginalised and

alienated," he said.

George also questioned if Penang has become affordable only for the rich or foreigners, adding that the state has become a "concrete jungle" with too many high-density buildings coming up.

"It is idiotic and stupid to say increasing the density would help reduce property prices. Please show us the evidence whether this has really happened or whether the developer has manipulated the policy," he added.

penang pre war houses 090605 rows Meanwhile, George's property survey shows an apartment unit in Penang cost around RM300,000; a condominium unit, RM600,000 to RM800,000; landed property at about RM1.5 million; and mixed development properties at RM3 million to RM4 million.

If this remains the pattern, the ordinary people on the island will not be able to own houses or will have to go to Batu Kawan in the mainland, he said.

George demanded to know why the state government cannot intervene to prohibit speculators from pushing up property prices.

"People interviewed by us all felt their future is bleak and that they will soon ‘disappear' from this island.

"Does the state only listen to investors? But the amount of investment is not a parameter to evaluate the quality of life of Penangites. Penang will soon become like Hawaii or Christmas Island," he quipped.

Gov't must listen to the people

In a related matter, George ticked off Lim for "insulting" Consumers Association of Penang president SM Mohamad Idris, who had questioned the state government about the lack in public consultations.

George said the state government should adopt an open-door policy and listen more to the people, explaining that consultations do not only mean only briefing the press or certain NGOs.

He said state officials should go down to the ground and meet the grassroots, adding that the the CM's vision should match the needs of Penangites.

George said Penang has always been a place where people fight for public interests as most NGOs had their beginnings here. However, there appears to be a group of people "trying to defeat the NGO movement".

"Now there is a culture of fear in Penang. However, some people have become so desperate that they complained to us in Selangor," he said.

When asked why he made an appearance in Penang when he runs an NGO in Selangor, George said his work is not confined to any one state.

"Politicians come and go, but NGOs continue to exist and work with the grassroots, asking pertinent questions which may offend certain quarters.

"They may be saying I am an Umno stooge or (the state) will say they are still an infant government. But I would like to speak based on facts which are not simply plucked from the sky," he said.