PENANG DUN | At the Penang Legislative Assembly last night, the state government was put on the spot when they were asked point blank, “Why are we afraid of NGOs?”.

Posed by Teh Yee Cheu (DAP-Tanjung Bungah), the question arose after DAP representatives blasted the Penang Forum, a coalition of 20 NGOs, for a dialogue organised last month on recent floods and landslide, which were not attended by state leaders.

“The NGOs do not have any bad intention, just let them be, why are we afraid of them?” Teh asked during his turn debating Penang Budget 2018.

“NGOs have the expertise and the state government should listen to their suggestions.

“No matter which NGO, their proposals or concerns should be accepted, especially when we are the ruling government,” he said in their defence.

“After all, we often say we are an open government and that we allow freedom of speech, there is no need to criticise them in the state assembly as they were merely doing their job.

“We must realign with the NGOs and face whatever issues (they raise),” said Teh (photo), who is passionate over environmental issues affecting the state.

On Thursday, Teh’s comrade RSN Rayer (DAP-Seri Delima) blasted the NGOs for their “one-sided views”, which blamed the state for the Sept 15 floods, and a deadly landslide in Tanjung Bungah which killed 11.

During the forum, Yap Soo Huey (DAP-Pulau Tikus) was heckled when she pointed out that the state had strict regulations in place for hillslope development.

Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy (DAP-Perai) joined in the fray and accused the forum of being “hijacked” by certain quarters to attack the state.

He was responding to several NGOs and resident associations which warned of a change of government should their concerns fall on deaf ears.

Down memory lane

But last night, Teh led Pakatan Harapan leaders down memory lane when he shared examples of their close links with NGOs before they took over Penang, circa 2008.

A case in point was the eviction of Kampung Mutiara where Deputy Chief Minister I Rashid Hasnon (PKR-Pantai Jerejak) and former DCM Mansor Othman (PKR-Nibong Tebal) met with residents and leaders from Umno and PAS, to find an amicable solution to the problem.

He cited another example in the 1980s when DAP protested against development on Penang Hill together with the civil society.

That protest unseated then chief minister Lim Chong Eu, who was replaced by Gerakan’s Koh Tsu Koon (photo) in 1990.

Teh also noted how state opposition members and NGOs combined their efforts to stop the Penang Global City Centre (PGCC), a 28-level mega-project in Batu Gantong, the Penang Outer Ring Road and development in Tanjung Bungah which were then a potential “eyesore” due to a nearby reclamation project.

“Indeed, we had many experiences with NGOs. We should reach out to them to be our friends again. They have alternative ideas and information to share with us.

“They have a role to play, to monitor and act as a watchdog to what is going on in the state,” said the maverick elected rep, who has expressed his intention to quit DAP after this term ends.

“There is nothing wrong (in) listening to them. They are also ordinary folks,” added Teh.

He said he is disillusioned with DAP, including the party's links with former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamed.

“Politicians, after they obtain power, should not be blurred by it as absolute power corrupts absolutely, and I do not mean only corruption but being power crazy."