The Penang government must reveal its plan on the use of reclaimed land on Gurney Drive, including the creation of a fishermen’s wharf and artificial beach, says Penang Gerakan.

State Gerakan Youth chief H’ng Chee Wey said his party approved of the plan to landscape Gurney Drive as Penang residents want more green lung on the island.

“However, the issue here is the total size of the reclamation package covering 131 acres; the state government had earlier announced that the Gurney Wharf project would only involve 60 acres.

“So what has happened to the remaining 71 acres?” H’ng asked at a press conference in George Town today.

“Is the state government planning to build high-rise buildings there?” he asked.

The state government had already stated that no high-rise buildings would be built on the reclaimed land on Gurney Drive.

Details of the Gurney Wharf project were on display in Komtar and Gurney Plaza for the public to view and offer feedback.

H'ng, who was referring to Eastern & Oriental Bhd's reclamation work involving 131 acres along Gurney Drive, said the state government had announced that out of that, only 60 acres would be used for the Gurney Wharf project.

H'ng said DAP elected representatives Ng Wei Aik (Tanjung), Teh Yee Cheu (Tanjung Bungah) and Lau Keng Ee (Pengkalan Kota) used to oppose the reclamation project in Gurney Drive before 2008.

"Unlike them (DAP), we don't oppose for the sake of opposing. We approved of the idea as it would increase the green space and recreational area in Penang,” he said.

H'ng added that the majority of Penangites want more green lung and the park (Gurney Wharf) was in line with the public demand and state government's 'greener and cleaner' slogan.

Gurney Wharf, which is expected to be ready in 2018, would see retail shops and eateries, including a recreational park and artificial beach created along the area, which is a well-known tourist spot.

H’ng said he was asking the question as every inch of land in Penang belonged to all Penangites.

He said Penagites who are residents of Gurney Drive and Tanjong Bungah are entitled to know the full details of the 131-acre project and not only 60 acres.

“We don't understand why the state government refuses to let Penangites know about the planning of the whole reclamation project,” H’ng said.

“As a government which always emphasises transparency, it should reveal all the details,” he added.

H’ng said that by keeping information under wraps, the state government would raise suspicion that the Gurney Wharf was only a “sugar coat” for the whole project.

“When everything is a done deal, it won’t be of any help even if the people want to go against it.

“According to the reclamation plan, there will be a few pieces of reserved land for the state government; so please also tell us what the state is going to do with this land,” H’ng said.