State BN chief Teng Chang Yeow has been told to bear full responsibility if Penang International Airport (PIA) fails to be upgraded.

 

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said this is due to the "crisis of identity and divided authority" within Penang BN that Teng exemplifies.

 

He pointed out how Teng opposes but yet Penang Umno supports Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir's proposal to build a new international airport in Kulim, that would pose a competitor to Penang's.

 

"Which head is calling the shots - Teng or Penang Umno?" Lim queried.

 

Lim said Teng is no different from other Gerakan leaders who are powerless and unable to exercise any control or authority over Penang Umno leaders.

 

"This has only made it easier for Umno to arrogantly make major decisions as they like without consulting Gerakan," Lim said in a statement yesteday.

 

Lim said Teng should instead be helping advance the interests of Penang by changing his stand to support a second runway for PIA.

 

He claimed Putrajaya has no other reason than revenge - to vindictively punish Penangites for rejecting BN by spending RM1.6 billion to build a new airport in Kulim that has two runways.

 

Putrajaya seems willing to do this instead of allocating RM600 million to build a second runway with an integrated air cargo facility and a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) hub for PIA, Lim lamented.

 

"Instead of answering with logical reasoning why he opposes a second runway in Penang, Teng tried to divert attention by questioning declining investments in Penang," Lim said.

But Lim shot back saying total investments in Penang under Pakatan Rakyat in six years is RM40.1 billion, close to double of the RM21.1 billion obtained by the state when BN was in power in the same period before.

 

Teng: Not my problem

 

In response, Teng in a statement said he should not be made "a scapegoat" in the issue of airports, whether in Kedah or Penang.

 

Teng said since Lim as CM has the mandate to negotiate the matter with the federal government, he should take responsibility for the airport.

 

Teng said Lim had presented all kinds of figures to show Penang had done better during his time than BN's.

 

"Show those figures to the federal government if Lim thinks he can persuade the federal government," Teng said.

 

Teng said he would not be writing to the federal government, as urged by Lim, if he was genuine in supporting the need to upgrade the PIA.

 

"It's his responsibility as CM, I won't be writing such a letter," he quipped.

 

Teng has been hot on Lim's tail on the airport issue, on the one hand berating the Pakatan government for not improving the airport to compete with Kedah's, and on the other hand curiously arguing against plans to expand Penang's runway.