GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will leave it to the committee opposing the proposed construction of a hostel for foreign workers in Teluk Kumbar and the developer to work out an amicable solution.
The state government also denies washing its hands off the matter.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who had a joint meeting with Balik Pulau member of parliament Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik, Bayan Lepas assemblyman Datuk Azrul Mahathir Aziz, representatives of the committee and the developer today, said he would leave it to the respective parties to take the necessary actions.
He said the committee was not against the hostel for foreign workers but did not want it to be built in their backyard, citing traffic and social issues with the influx of foreign workers in one location.
"So, after meeting with all the parties, we will leave it to the committee and the developer to take the necessary actions.
"On the state government's part, although the developer had submitted the planning permission, it is still under consideration and no approval has been granted yet.
"Approval was granted for another similar project, also in Teluk Kumbar, with strict conditions," he told newsmen here today.
Earlier, about 70 people, comprising local residents and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) staged a peaceful gathering in Komtar to protest against the proposed construction of a hostel for foreign workers in their backyard.
Committee chairman Professor Dr Muhamad Idiris Saleh said they met with Chow today but the latter could not provide an answer.
"The chief minister said he could not make any decision today and that the matter would be brought to the state exco.
"On our part, we told him we are against the project come what may," he said.
Pressed on claims that the state government had washed its hands of the matter, Chow said the state government's stand was based on provisions of the law.
He said the state government could not stop landowners from submitting any applications to develop their land.
"In this case, the application is being reviewed by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), an agency under the state. That is the due process.
"So, it it not right to say the state government has washed its hands because the MBPP comes under the state government," he added.
On whether the State Planning Committee could cancel the project, Chow said it did not have the power to do so.
Chow also said they would consider earmarking sites for hostels for foreign workers in the Local Plan.
The committee opposing the proposed construction of a hostel for foreign workers in Teluk Kumbar had reiterated its call to the Penang government to scrap the project and called for a "ceasefire" by local residents for the time being.
It said they had conveyed their stand to Chow on Jan 9 and he had agreed to study the matter.
(Hyperlink: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/01/999508/committee-opposing-tel...).
Earlier, Chow held a press conference to announce the upcoming 45th International Advertising Association (IAA) World Congress in Penang from March 6 to March 8.
Penang is set to co-host the event, marking a groundbreaking moment as the first-ever such event in Southeast Asia.
This global gathering, themed Brand: RE-CODE, for a Better World, Better Life, holds immense promise for economic growth and innovation.
The congress is expected to draw a crowd of up to 1,000 across the globe, projecting an impressive estimated economic impact of RM5.836 million for the state.
Media Prima is the local media partner for the event.