Penang Gerakan questions why Pulau Jerejak not gazetted as forest reserve

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Gerakan today questioned the DAP-led Penang state government on why they did not gazette Pulau Jerejak as a national forest reserve after they took over the state.
Its acting Youth chief Jason Loo said in 2009 the state exco member Phee Boon Poh had ordered the Land Office to expedite the gazetting procedure and it was expected to be completed within a year.
He said in November 2014 and May 2016, the state government once again stated that Pulau Jerejak would be gazetted as permanent forest reserve zone and the island would not be handed over to any third party for development.
"Where are all the promises made? They could have continue the effort by the previous state government to gazette the 295 hectares from March 9, 2008 after they take over the state government.
"The chief minister (Lim Guan Eng) can just put down his signature, but then they gave all the funny and also insincere promises and excuses," he told reporters at Pulau Jerejak Jetty, here today.
UDA Holding, in a statement on Nov 8, confirmed undertaking a joint venture with Q Island Development on the project, which is expected to be completed in eight to 10 years. The total cost is yet to be determined.
According to UDA, the redevelopment plans had been approved by the state government. Four five-star hotels, 1,200 units of residential development, a marina, a theme park and a 11.5-km bicycle track will be built to promote tourism in the state. — Bernama