GEORGE TOWN, August 6 – The Chairman of the Penang Gerakan Party, Oh Tong Keong, has issued a challenge to Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, stating that he will withdraw from the upcoming State Elections (PRN) if the PSI project is cancelled. Oh Tong Keong made this statement in response to Chow Kon Yeow’s call for the Gerakan Party to withdraw from the PRN to protest against the extreme views of PAS. Oh found this logic flawed, as PAS has not yet governed Penang, but Chow wants them to withdraw to protest. Protest against what exactly?
“But in the interest of the people of Penang, especially for the sake of the rights and livelihoods of those affected, if Chow Kon Yeow is willing to cancel the Southern Penang Island Reclamation (PSI) project, I will immediately withdraw from the PRN.” According to Oh, the Penang PH government stubbornly persists in launching the PSI project, despite its potential damage to the environment and the livelihoods of fishermen, despite being opposed by local residents, fishermen, and non-governmental organizations.
The PH government claims the project is to secure funds for the construction of the LRT project. “However, after the federal government agreed to provide funds for the LRT construction, the Penang government is still proceeding with the PSI project, which will cause such damage, albeit in a slightly scaled-down manner.” “The ones who will benefit greatly from the PSI project are the big developers and consortia, as seen with the underwater tunnel project. The big developers and consortia have made billions, while the local residents and fishermen have become victims.”
Oh Tong Keong, who is also the PN-Gerakan candidate for the Pantai Jerejak constituency, calls on the voters of Penang, especially those in the Southwest districts, to come out in full force on voting day, August 12, to support PN and Gerakan candidates, while voicing their opposition to Chow Kon Yeow and the stubborn PH government regarding the PSI project.
