Penang BN chief Teng Chang Yeow has expressed shock that the reclamation along Gurney Drive foreshore has now become 190 acres, an increase of 59 acres.

He described the information heard at the Penang legislative assembly yesterday as a “shocking revelation”.

Teng said it was announced a year ago that the Gurney Drive foreshore was going to be reclaimed for 131 acres.

“How could a government that proudly proclaims to have CAT (competency, accountability and transparency) administration has now secretly and quietly approved an additional increase of 59 acres?” he asked in a statement.

The state Gerakan chief said if not for the state assembly sitting, Penangites would still be in the dark over the additional 59 acres.

He was referring to state executive councillor for public utilities and infrastructure works Lim Hock Seng (DAP-Bagan Jermal)’s speech during the debate of Penang's Budget 2017 yesterday.

Lim also announced that the state government will bear the cost - about RM300 million to RM400 million - of an eight-lane highway on Gurney Drive.

The highway will be connected to the proposed Tanjung Bungah-Teluk Bahang paired road, and Gurney Drive-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu bypass.

The assembly adjourned to a later date in May next year at about 1am today after two motions on the Rohingya community and pig farming were tabled.

Teng said the DAP-led state government must explain the rationale behind the increase.

He questioned if the environmental impact assessment (EIA) study for the additional 59 acres was approved by the Department of Environment (DOE).

“Penangites have the right to know when the EIA for the additional 59 acres was granted. The state government should not wash its hand off the matter by pushing the approval to a federal agency again,” Teng added.

“The DOE will only come into picture after the additional reclamation rights had been approved by the DAP state government."

He called on both the DAP-led state government and DOE to explain the additional 59 acres.

In an immediate response, Lim said developer Eastern & Oriental, which is currently carrying out reclamation works in Gurney Drive has handed over 190 acres of land to the state government.

"This is what I mentioned in my speech. This area is part of the artificial island planned for the Sri Tanjung Pinang 2 project and part of it is on Gurney Drive shore," Lim said.

"We are not reclaiming the 190 acres on Gurney Drive," he added, via a WhatsApp message to Malaysiakini.

Lim said his speech was distributed to the media and the correct information were all contained in the document, which also mentioned that during BN's rule prior to 2008, the land given by E&O to the state was 50 acres.

However, 190 acres were given after the new government under Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng negotiated with the developer based on the need to develop some infrastructure in the area, Lim added.