BUTTERWORTH, Jun 12 – Alienation of state-owned land within the scope of the Penang port to the operators in the long term and the country will get more favorable, said Penang Port Commission chairman Tan Sri Chua. I have met with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for twice this year but I’m still has been locked in talks with the administration of CM Lim for the past four years.
“Letting Penang Port to have the land meant that the state administration could collect the premiums and quit rent which it was a long-term and sustainable way to generate of the revenue. The stumbling block is that the CM Lim wanted a share in operations if the land is alienated. Government should regulate and facilitate and not compete with others. The private sector was not interested to engaged in politics as governments could change in the next 10 or 100 years,” said Tan Sri Dr. Chua Soi Lek.
The offices and terminal sits are used a 2,213.19sq m (0.22ha) plot. Meanwhile, the docks and berths are used a 12,310.54sq m (1.23ha) plot. The Penang state government had been applied to strike out the suit on Aug 22 which is same year with the Penang High Court finding in their favour on March 11, 2014. Lastly, the plaintiffs also filed an appeal to the Appeal Court but the withdrew of the application will be held on Nov 20 of that year.
