KBP was the unfortunate case. The land accordingly owned by the villagers was controversially sold by the previous government. The villagers took up the case to the court but they lost the case and was instructed to vacate the land for a high rise development. The villagers were then refused to vacate and obtained "the election promises" given by the current government to remain them as what they were since 150 years ago.
To keep the promise, the state government, specifically the CM finally exercised his authority to order the Penang Municipal Council to revoke the development approval granted to the developer and hope that the developer could have a win-win solutions if they want to develop the area.
Could the win-win solutions achieved? It may end up all-lose situation.
The Penang state government is taking a bold, high-states gamble and risk of being sued. It also set an example of using the authority over & above the rule-of-law, read Romerz. This may also discourage the development industries in the state. If the compensation scheme is reasonable, the villagers may have lost an opportunity to upgrade and improve their livelihood. And finally, if the government lost the case, the people of Penang at large would need to pay the unnecessary compensation. 
Take KBP case aside, now the Penangite may need to make a choice about development.
We may like to keep our history and our heritage, but we may also need to balance with the reasonable developments that keep the society to move on.
We could not in one hand hope to benefit from the development and the other hand reject the development that may affect you.
We could not in one hand hope to have more business volume or more income but still want to live what we we were since 150 years ago.
We could not in one hand hope to make as much as what Singaporean make but still want to live slowly and comfortably as what we are now.
Like what many people agreed with me the way Penangites always think, "you may have whatever developments you want, as long as the developments do not affect me."
(I met LGE once in the plane and he told me this, a young chap told him that he may do whatever he want to increase the incomes of the People, but the young chap want to remain the char koay teow price from now until 10 years later. )
So now, Penangites, please make a choice and tell our so-called People's government.
KBP was the unfortunate case. The land accordingly owned by the villagers was controversially sold by the previous government. The villagers took up the case to the court but they lost the case and was instructed to vacate the land for a high rise development. The villagers were then refused to vacate and obtained "the election promises" given by the current government to remain them as what they were since 150 years ago.
To keep the promise, the state government, specifically the CM finally exercised his authority to order the Penang Municipal Council to revoke the development approval granted to the developer and hope that the developer could have a win-win solutions if they want to develop the area.
Could the win-win solutions achieved? It may end up all-lose situation.
The Penang state government is taking a bold, high-states gamble and risk of being sued. It also set an example of using the authority over & above the rule-of-law, read Romerz. This may also discourage the development industries in the state. If the compensation scheme is reasonable, the villagers may have lost an opportunity to upgrade and improve their livelihood. And finally, if the government lost the case, the people of Penang at large would need to pay the unnecessary compensation. 
Take KBP case aside, now the Penangite may need to make a choice about development.
We may like to keep our history and our heritage, but we may also need to balance with the reasonable developments that keep the society to move on.
We could not in one hand hope to benefit from the development and the other hand reject the development that may affect you.
We could not in one hand hope to have more business volume or more income but still want to live what we we were since 150 years ago.
We could not in one hand hope to make as much as what Singaporean make but still want to live slowly and comfortably as what we are now.
Like what many people agreed with me the way Penangites always think, "you may have whatever developments you want, as long as the developments do not affect me."
(I met LGE once in the plane and he told me this, a young chap told him that he may do whatever he want to increase the incomes of the People, but the young chap want to remain the char koay teow price from now until 10 years later. )
So now, Penangites, please make a choice and tell our so-called People's government.
1 comments:
Compensate a fair amount to the villagers for them to relocate , it can be worked out, the problem is no amount of fair compensation and alternative housing are given to these villagers by former government, they need to be treated fairly, and humanely by developer and state government.
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