| The multi-billion ringgit Penang Global City Centre (PGCC) project cannot proceed because it has yet to be approved by local government agencies, despite having been announced with great fanfare last year.
The multi-billion ringgit Penang Global City Centre (PGCC) project cannot proceed because it has yet to be approved by local government agencies, despite having been announced with great fanfare last year. Revealing this newly-minted Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said: “Not a single approval letter has been given to the developer by government authorities, whether the Penang Municipal Council or the land office.”
“Unfortunately when Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi launched the project (last year), the impression was that approval had been given. The correct information has not been given (to the public).”
In view of the situation, said Guan Eng, the developer cannot start any work at the site or sell the project.
“If they want to proceed, they will have to (comply with) the law,” he told a press conference today, adding that the state government will have to process a few papers submitted previously by the developer.
Guan Eng declined to say whether the project had been launched to impress voters and investors in the run-up to the general election, but described his discovery as a “surprising turn of events”.
“If you say Penangites have been misled, I also have been misled... The Penang Municipal Council has said it has never given any approval so I don’t think we can blame them for that. I would take it at face value,” he noted.
Guan Eng was clarifying his statement yesterday that the DAP-led state government would review the suitability of the entire PGCC project.
He said he had been briefed on the status of the project by the relevant authorities after a press conference yesterday.
“Since there is no approval, the issue of review does not arise,” he explained today.
The project has prompted strong protests from Penang residents who are concerned with the social and physical impact of the PGCC, which will comprise hotels, condominiums, commercial centres and a central park among other facilities.
Asked to comment, Guan Eng said feedback from residents and relevant NGOs will be taken into consideration in deciding whether or not to approve the project.
He said he has directed that copies of all correspondence or discussions concerning the project should be sent to him, so that he can monitor the negotiation process.
Bouquet from developer
At a cost of RM25 billion, PGCC has been billed as the country’s largest private-sector development project. It is also the single-biggest component of the Northern Corridor Economic Region development plan, launched last August.
The developer is Abad Naluri Sdn Bhd - an associate company of Equine Capital Bhd controlled by the premier’s ally, businessman Patrick Lim. Equine Capital holds 25 percent of Abad Naluri. The developer had sent Guan Eng a bouquet yesterday, perked up with small DAP flags. It was the first to arrive at the CM’s office to congratulate Guan Eng on his “historic win” in the elections, according to the card attached.
Guan Eng expressed surprise over the gesture: “We can’t stop people from sending us bouquets.
“Before the elections, when our representatives want to meet them for dialogues, it was very hard. This is definitely a departure from their previous attitude.”
Questions have long been raised as to how Patrick (photo, left) and Equine Capital - which is not in the big league of developers - can undertake the project, leading many to point to his close ties with the First Family as a key factor.
The businessman - dubbed ‘Patrick Badawi’ by ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad due to his influence over top politicians - has denied the claim.
Penang-born Patrick, 42, also brushed off suggestions that the PGCC project is a ‘sweetheart deal’ for him and that the premier’s son, Kamaludin, is a shareholder in Abad Naluri.
Patrick claimed that Abad Naluri had obtained the land in Batu Kawan land and won the tender for the Penang Turf Club, the site of PGCC, even before Abdullah came into power in November 2003. | 
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