Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy has scoffed at Gerakan’s complaints about having to sign a statutory declaration to obtain documents on Taman Manggis under the state’s Freedom of Information (FOI) enactment.

Ramasamy said if the party was really sincere in wanting to seek the truth, its leaders seeking such information on Taman Manggis should have no qualms about signing the SD.

The SD prohibits the documents from being circulated irresponsibly, he said.

“Is Jason Loo really sincere in seeking the truth or is he just looking for cheap publicity?” Ramasamy asked.

“If he is really genuine, sincere and if he thinks he can uncover something hidden in the documents, pay the fees and sign the SD."

Loo, who is Penang Gerakan youth legal bureau chief, has applied for the Taman Manggis tender documents yesterday, when he complained about the high fees and the 14-day waiting period to obtain the materials.

He claimed that the Penang government was not really sincere in wanting to implement the FOI Act due to the financial and time constraints imposed on applicants interested in obtaining relevant documents.

Loo ( photo ) vowed not to sign the SD which prohibits him from sharing the documents with others, saying this requirement was not in the enactment.

“Before anything can happen, Loo has already jumped to conclusions, implying that he is not sure if he is able to obtain the documents, and even if he gets approval for it, he is forced to sign the SD,” Ramasamy said.

He explained that that the amount of fees to be paid for the documents and the 14 days waiting period are part of the FOI enactment procedures.

Applicants are also required to sign the SD, a ruling recently decided by the Penang executive council, said Ramasamy.

“From time to time, the state executive council can impose new rulings on certain procedures, according to the need of the departments,” he added.

Don't pre-empt the situation

Ramasamy said if an applicant goes against the SD’s requirement of not to circulate or politicise the documents, it only shows that he or she is “untrustworthy”.

He urged Loo not to pre-empt the situation and wait for the approval of the relevant department for the Taman Manggis documents.

Taman Manggis became popular when Umno Tasek Gelugor MP Shabudin Yahaya linked the sale of the land to a private company with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s purchase of a RM2.8 million bungalow on Jalan Pinhorn.

Shabudin had alleged Lim of corruption, saying he had purchased the property below the market price.

Lim, who is also the DAP secretary-general, has dismissed any claims of corruption related to the land deal or the purchase of his 30-year old bungalow.

However, his case is currently being probed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), which has decided to question him soon.