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WHAT NOW, PENANG NGOs?
Just before GE 14, some NGOs warned the PH government of Penang that it could suffer the same fate as the previous BN state administration if it did not pay attention to the unhappiness over the major development projects on the island.
They claimed to be responsible for kicking out BN in GE 12 (in 2008) and could do the same to the PH govt if they did not listen.
IN GE 14, PH won more seats and formed the State government for the 3rd consecutive term,
Will these NGOs start working actively to toplle the PH Government in GE 15?
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23 October 2018
TheMalaysianInsightVerified account @msianinsigh
We’ll kick you out, groups warn Penang govt over hillside development
(From left) Sahabat Alam Malaysia deputy president Mohideen Abdul Kader, Dr Lim Mah Hui, Dr Kam Suan Pheng, and Meenaksi Raman are spearheading civil society groups to oppose mega-development on Penang island. – The Malaysian Insight pic, October 23, 2017.
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https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/19639
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28 August 2017
New Straits Times @NST_Online
GEORGE TOWN: Environmental-based non-governmental organisations (NGO) are adamant that the proposed Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project should not be implemented in the state.
They claimed the reclamation project would indeed have negative effect on the environment, and also affect the livelihood of the fishing communities near the project site.
As such, they lauded Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s assurance that the project would not be approved if it was not environmentally friendly and if it had negative impact on the people.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) said it was never in favour of the proposed 1,821ha reclamation project near Permatang Damar Laut.
Its president S.M. Mohamed Idris stressed that the project would indeed have negative effect on the environment and also the fishing communities near the project site.
Referring to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, Idris said it concurred that there would be an impact on the ocean food chain and the fishing industry due to total loss of mudflats.
“Loss of coastal habitat due to this proposed reclamation project is a major environmental blow,” he told the New Straits Times today.
His statement came in the wake of Najib’s announcement on the matter during a visit to Balik Pulau on Saturday.
Najib had also said that the reclamation project should be environmentally friendly and other alternatives which could save the people’s money should be considered first.
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6 March 2016
On the Beat | By Wong Chun Wai
Once a Penangite…
An aerial shot showing the flattened ancillary buildings at the Runnymede property in Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Penang.
Politicians who think Penang voters are die-hard party loyalists will learn soon enough that Penangites give much weight to the individual’s behaviour, regardless of party affiliation.
The voices of Penang civil society cannot be easily ignored, as they can influence the elections too.
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Penangites are known to be independent-minded, liberal, progressive, assertive and outspoken – they will come together for a common cause and, as one writer wrote, to “revitalise their sense of belonging”.
The NGOs of Penang have supported political parties who come to power and they have also worked against them when they do not keep to their side of the bargain.
Let no politician be mistaken and it’s best that they read up the history books on Penang’s dynamic civil movements.
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No one, especially politicians, should take for granted Penangites, as they fall in love quickly with politicians but also get into a fight just as quickly.
And let’s also not forget they can also count on the support of the Penang diaspora who are scattered all over the country, especially in the Klang Valley, and the world.
It has been said many a time that you can take a Penangite out of Penang, but you can never take Penang out of a Penangite. They have the power to influence, too.
http://wongchunwai.com/2016/03/once-a-penangite/
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weehingthong 