Current Penang Government “A Bigger Robbers” – Azhar
PENANG, Aug 11 (Bernama) — Opposition leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim on Tuesday labeled the current Penang state government as ‘bigger robbers’ for accepting the balance of RM2.2 million from the sale of Kampung Buah Pala.
Azhar (BN-Penaga) said if Barisan Nasional (BN) are labeled as ‘robbers’ for selling the land, the Pakatan-led government are ‘bigger robbers’ for accepting the balance of the premium.
“If they called us robbers for accepting RM1 million as part payment for the sale of the land, then, they are ‘bigger robbers’ for accepting the balance of RM2.2 million,” said Azhar when Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was winding up debate on the Penang Hill Corporation Bill 2009 at the state assembly sitting.
Azhar said the endorsement of the land was also done by the current state government on March 27, 2008 after the balance of the premium was received on March 14, 2008.
Lim however said, the present government did not sign any documents pertaining to Kampung Buah Pala, but rather just continued what was done by the previous BN government.
“Why did the BN government sell the land for such a low price? asked Lim.
Syed Amerruddin Syed Ahmad (BN-Bayan Lepas) immediately stood up to clarify that the land price was cheap because Kampung Buah Pala was swapped for another piece of land next to Dewan Sri Pinang which was owned by Koperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Pulau Pinang (KPKPP).
“So, the low price of the land does not arise because the sale of the land was done according to the proper procedures. But before BN could complete the deal, there was a change in the government,” he said.
Lim later said the state government viewed the Kampung Buah Pala issue seriously and would do everything possible to guarantee the welfare of the residents.
– BERNAMA
Jagdeep Singh Deo ordered out of the state assembly
GEORGE TOWN: Datuk Keramat assemblyman Jagdeep Singh Deo was ordered out of the state assembly when he called an Opposition leader a perompak (robber) over the Kampung Buah Pala issue.
The move stunned some assemblymen and those in the public gallery since Jagdeep Singh and state assembly speaker Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain are both leaders in the Pakatan Rakyat alliance.
Jagdeep was ordered out after he refused to retract his words when asked to do so by Abdul Halim.
“I don’t understand why I have to retract the words. I did not mention Azhar’s name,” Jagdeep Singh said.
The incident happened during a shouting match between Jagdeep Singh and Opposition leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim (BN-Penaga).
Jagdeep Singh said the previous state government leaders and “the Opposition leader” were perompak (robbers) in relation to the sale of the village land and that “one of the robbers” was present in the House.
After he disregarded several warnings from Abdul Halim to retract those words, Jagdeep Singh was shown the door.
R.S.N Rayer (DAP-Seri Delima) interjected that Azhar should also retract his words calling Jagdeep Singh “a person without personality.”
“If Azhar refuses, he too should be sent out of the assembly,” he said.
Before leaving, Jagdeep Singh asked Abdul Halim for how long he had to leave the sitting and was told that he could return for the afternoon session.
Earlier, Jagdeep Singh in his written question asked Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy (DAP-Prai) on the latest development in the investigations carried out by the state investigating committee on allegations of foul play in the transfer of the Kampung Buah Pala land to Koperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang Bhd.
Speaking to newsmen later, Jagdeep Singh said although felt Abdul Halim’s decision was “absolutely unfair,” he would nevertheless respect it.
“I was asking a supplementary question to the YB from Prai, and if the Opposition leader feels that it was directed to him, there is little I can do,” he said.
