Guan Eng refutes claims on reclamation project

GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today refuted claims his administration approved a reclamation project involving more than 2,000ha.

He said no such approval was given and pointed out that any reclamation involving more than 100ha had to be referred to the National Physical Planning Council.

Lim said he was mystified and stupefied by the allegation made by Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

He described the allegation as "slander" and "lies" and called upon Abdul Rahman to show proof.

"Where have I approved (a reclamation project of more than) 2,000ha,?" he asked in a press conference today.

Abdul Rahman had on Thursday chided the Penang government for allegedly approving the project to a developer.

He also said the Lim-led administration had never referred reclamation projects in the state to the Council.

In response, Lim pointed out that only reclamation projects of more than 100ha needed to be referred to the Council per the Town and Country Planning Act 1976.

"But we have never approved anything more than 100ha," he stressed, and said the allegation was a "figment of the imagination."