The proposed redevelopment of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Base in Butterworth has also angered Penang Umno and the BN-established Federal Action Committee that oversees projects in the state.

Penang Umno at a meeting on Feb 28 unanimously and strongly expressed objection to the redevelopment.

According to a reliable party source, a Member of Parliament and several assemblypersons have threatened to resign if the project takes off as they "do not know how to face the people or explain how the development will benefit them".

The Federal Action Committee which met in Penang today also fully opposed the project, which reportedly will see “a grand development” in that semi-rural area of Butterworth.

State Umno chairperson Zainal Abidin Osman ( left ) when contacted confirmed that his committee met on the matter on Feb 28 and a letter recording the strong objection of Umno members to the project was sent to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on March 1.

Zainal, who also chairs the Federal Action Committee, said that despite being appointed by Najib, the committee was not consulted about the redevelopment of the RMAF base and only learnt of this from the press.

"We strongly oppose the project as it will affect the security, geopolitics, social and environment matters and will not benefit the people living around the area," Zainal said.

"It is not up for negotiation. We strongly object. If it is a project for affordable housing, we can accept but this is for building luxurious condominiums by the sea, which no normal Penangite can afford," he added.

It is very rare to see Umno sharing the same stand as the Pakatan Rakyat government of Penang, but in this case, the issue has rattled both sides of the political divide.

Zainal said Penang Umno has always been speaking up for the people, even if this time it is on the same page as Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

"We have no choice but to speak up since a lot of rural folk will be affected by this project. Our community is not prepared to live in luxurious condominiums," he said.

Lim had earlier condemned the project, saying his administration would not approve development plans for the project if the federal government could not justify how the people could benefit from it.

Penang Umno: We want Najib to intervene

News reports said TSR Capital Bhd, the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) and Pembinaan Bukit Timah Sdn Bhd have inked a deal to develop the site of 407.52 hectares into an integrated mixed development project.

With a potential gross development value (GDV) of RM10 billion, the project reportedly entails relocating and establishing a new RM3 billion RMAF base.

To this, Zainal said the state Umno and the Federal Action Committee members want Najib to intervene and reconsider the project.

"We gave them two alternatives: either find another site, whether in Penang or in another state, for the project or build low-cost and affordable housing, with a nice park, schools or colleges at the site for the benefit of the public," he added.

"Don't do this on federal government land. The BN government has been very kind to the people, even though Penang is ruled by Pakatan. So, don't ruin this," Zainal added.