Penang Hill hotels project contradicts Chow’s green statement, say NGOs

GEORGE TOWN (Nov 22): The plan to build two large hotels on Penang Hill proposed by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has been criticised as conflicting the statement he made during World Environment Day.

Penang Hill Watch co-founder, Rexy Prakash Chacko noted that Chow had on June 5, proclaimed that Penang was the “only state in Malaysia where not a single square inch has been touched” and “we will not dispute our commitment to protect and preserve our permanent forest reserves”.

But on Nov 8, he said, Chow stated that part of the land where the hotels would be built is in the forest reserve and he wanted to resolve the matter.

Prakash is concerned that the hotel development projects may result in the cutting of trees and uprooting of flora and fauna, many of which are unique to Penang Hill.

“This statement also calls into question the guidelines stated in the Penang Hill Special Area Plan (SAP), which clearly defines that the forest reserve on Penang Hill, categorised as ‘Environmentally Sensitive Area Rank 1’, with ‘excision of land from forest reserve is not being supported’.”

He said this to reporters at Penang Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) here yesterday, in appealing to Chow to cancel the mega hotel project on the hill.

Earlier, he  was accompanied by Penang Forum member, Khoo Salma Nasution; Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam (PEKA) Malaysia president, Datuk Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil and Malaysia Nature Society Penang advisor, Kanda Kumar.

Meanwhile, Shariffa Sabrina stressed that the need for hotels on Penang Hill was unnecessary as many visitors only spent a few hours there.

“Due to Penang Hill’s small area for activities, visitors usually come up just to enjoy its natural environment and the scenic view from the hilltop, but having hotels built there will only spoil its charm and ambience.

“Penang island is already overdeveloped, and it is time that we leave Penang island as it is now, especially Penang Hill, as it is the state’s green lung, water catchment and the place where many generations of Penangites have sought refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city,” she said.

Shariffa also clarified that their (NGOs) motive was only against poor development and destruction of the environment.

“We still fully support the idea of refurbishing and repurposing the old government assets on Penang Hill for reuse as has been stated by Penang Hill Corporation (PHC),” she said.

It is said that nine out of 36 heritage buildings on Penang Hill are owned by the state government and can easily accommodate up to 50 rooms if refurbished.

According to PHC, the transfer of management of the Convalescent Bungalow, one of the oldest bungalows on Penang Hill and which once served as a convalescence home for British officials during the colonial era, from Chief Minister Incorporated to PHC is still in progress.

-- BERNAMA