UBAH, The Bird & Moon Cake By DAP

Ini Kali Lah, UBAH. A slogan by DAP that were manage to not only change the mind of penangites but through out the Nation. Why UBAH? Ubah for a better Nation? Or was it UBAH the policies within DAP to strengthen the party with more cash flow?   DAP tend to be a party with lack of fund and putting up a show in the eyes of the people that they are rulling the state in good governance according to their CAT principal. It is the public and Penangites that has fall into DAP strategies. 

Recently DAP had launched the Ubah Bird in the water, a similar one to the giant duckling that is being displayed in Hong Kong. It was a brilliant move by DAP not only to strengthen the 'UBAH' word for the 14th GE but also to utilize the effort in collecting more funds for DAP. Every Saturday the kiosk selling Ubah merchandise is open, to grab more fund from the public. 

Now the latest effort by DAP is definitely a move that would un-please many moon cake producers. Why should DAP undertake such a way to add on fund to the party? DAP should be more concern from getting the party to be de-registered by coming clean regarding their AGM rather than focusing as a money making party. Moon cake producers business will be surely be effected by this move. As the party who is leading the state governance, they should be responsible in their action which will not effect the business of the Rakyat. What is DAP & guan Eng going to response to these moon cake manufacturers? Come on DAP, walk the talk that the PR is the Goverment for the people. Enough of all the 'Sandiwara'!

The Falling of Pepper Estate?

So a heritage estate will pave way for future development?  Will its outcome be the same as Kampung Buah Pala? It is now widely debated that this historic settlement should be preserved since its among the oldest in the state. Before is go further, below is the part of the letter to The Star by Philip A. Rozario, a former resident of the estate who is now the Assoc Prof in Adelphi University in New York :-

'As I return home to New York, I worry that the Penang of tomorrow will no longer reflect the Penang of yesterday, especially when affordable housing becomes more scarce and are replaced by exorbitantly priced condominiums. '( Letter - The Star )

The DAP led Government is known for their part played towards the demolition of Kampung Buah Pala. It was Lim Guan Eng who gave the green light in few weeks upon taking oath as the Chief Minister of Penang. So what is going to happen to Pepper Estate? The land was sold last year to Beverly Heights Properties Sdn Bhd. The project is believe to be undertaken by  Oxley Star Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore-based Oxley Holdings Limited in a joint-venture with Beverly Heights Properties Sdn Bhd.

It is understood that there are around 300 families living in the estate which comes under the freehold land of  Grant No. 62839 for Lot 3643 and Grant No. 44471 for Lot 2859 at Mukim 18 in Northeast District, Penang, Malaysia. The state Government who have been quiet on the project.  A pro-term committee has been formed and headed by Ann Rozario. It is believed that a few of the residents have been individually approached with offers of RM35000 in compensation but residents want the owner/developer to deal directly with the residents committee. The land has been sold to a developer and the company has failed to notify the community about its plans.

The CAT Government of DAP who also champions the 'Cleaner, Greener, Penang', have failed to stand with the residents. Pepper Estate which falls under the Kebun Bunga State Constituency was won by the PKR Candidate, Cheah Keah Peng with 9030 votes majority. With a higher of 5905 from the 12th General Election. A check on the Kebung Bunga Representative FB page, shows he have been interacting with the Estate residents in forming the state control PPS ( Pasukan Peronda Sukarela ). Evan in late May he had visited the estate to trim the trees. Were he not aware on the upcoming development or was it just a planned act to he had put up. The people of Kebun Bunga have voted the PKR Candidate in with higher majority. It is a shame for them to ignore the plight of the residents now. Why the Penang CM or DAP are not going all out to help the estate residents. There could be two reasons :-

1) Since it is a PKR seat, they rather let them solve by their own, by not interfering or supporting.

2) As widely known, its another Singapore Project that has got the blessing of the Penang CM.

So what is the PKR & DAP stand on this? Ain't they answerable to the people who had voted them in. This constituency which falls under the Bukit Bendera Parliament constituency which was win by the DAP Candidate, Zairil Khir Johari with a whooping 32,778 votes majority. So where is the MP? Has he come down to work closely with the PKR state rep and the Chief Minister of Penang who is also the state rep for Ayer Putih, which also comes under the same Parliament Constituency.

DAP who are championing the Penang Heritage Day and claiming that its their effort  that Penang is listed in the UNESCO, should not be a hyprocrite Government. They should take the initiative to preserve the historical Pepper Estate site. Enough of politicking with the UBAH Slogan and all kind of merchandise. It is time for the State Government, for once to stop demolishing villages and start preserving them. Enough of spinning. Stand with the people and proof to them you are 'The People's Government' just as they are claiming it!!

Balik Pulau - Hidden Agenda of DAP?

Balik Pulau, is a well known area for its green, nature, round-island, buah pala and for the lands & hilly areas. I guess prior to GE12, DAP or Guan Eng didnt expect to take over the helm of the state. So during seat negotiations, they were not into the Balik Pulau Parliament seat. But after winning the in 308, DAP had start the ball rolling to maintain the Penang State under the umbrella of DAP for years to come. Many land deals took place without taking into account or consideration of the Penangites. The Taman Manggis land, Bayan Mutiara Land, Buah Pala Village and many more was in favour of the developers. 

The state Government change of policies on matters related to land and development, have caused

developers to fork out more money on their projects. But at the end, property buyers who face the consequences. Property prices in Penang Island have shoot up tremendously. DAP & Guan Eng are aware of it. Since Penang is limited with land, every area regarded as are gold mine. So is Balik Pulau.

Currently Balik Pulau is helm by PKR and it will will be a difficult battle for DAP to take control of that particular constituency. A survey by the SEMUT team shows that Bunglows housing project are taking place in every corner of Balik Pulau. Is it a attempt by DAP to parachute in voters? This high cost bungalows will not be purchased by the local Malays who are use to live in Village atmosphere for ages. 

Currently there are around 31,800 Malay voters compared to 15,885 Chinese voters. With this silent projects taking place, in 10 years, there would be a majority of parachuted Chinese in this area and it will than allow DAP to hold talks with PKR to take over the seat. With the state in control and in addition the Parliament seat also in control, it will be smooth planning for future developments around Balik Pulau. With Balik Pulau facing the sea, housing projects will surely bring gain and profits to many quarters.

Is this the hidden agenda of DAP? Only time will tell. Penangites should start saying 'NO' to projects that are ruining our green and damaging the beauty of Penang.