The State Legislative Assembly passed a bill last night to allow the 133-year-old Penang Botanic Gardens to be corporatised, but the move was questioned by the opposition (BN) and backbenchers.

Muhamad Farid Saad (BN-Pulau Betong) called for the bill, tabled by state executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo (DAP-Dato Keramat) be postponed and for the clauses in it to be reviewed and refined.

"Even the existing pre-war houses in Penang have disappeared. They were not taken care of properly and the same goes for the Botanic Gardens.

"Why do we need a corporate body to manage it? Can't we do it some other way, like putting it under the Penang Tourism Committee?" Farid asked.

“The last public consultation regarding this was done in 2012, so can a final one be carried out now? Since NGOs have protested against this move, can it be reviewed?

“A special committee should be formed to study the views of the NGOs,” Farid added.

Farid also expressed concern for the position of the current staff of the Botanic Gardens, asking if anyone would be sacked for "holding different views" after the park becomes corporatised...