GEORGE TOWN: A communication slip-up resulted in beaches along the Batu Ferringhi tourist belt not being cleaned during the recent festive break.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the contractor Pen Mutiara Fishermen Association – appointed to assist the Penang Municipal Council to carry out beach clean-up – stopped work two months ago when it was not informed that its contract had been extended by six months.

Spot the difference: A combo picture showing a section of the the Batu Feringghi beach before and after the clean-up.

“Its contract had ended in October but when the state government made the decision to extend it until April, it was not relayed to the association.

“I have since intervened in the matter following complaints from tourists. All litter have since been cleared up by the association and the council,” he said after attending a dialogue with Gat Lebuh Nordin public housing residents here yesterday.

“It was the lack of communication and coordination. Somehow, the directive and decision made in the state exco meeting was not communicated effectively to the association,” he said.

Lim added that the association was appointed because the council did not have the adequate manpower to upkeep all the beaches here.

State Local Government and Traffic Management committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang government would tackle one issue at a time when its came to the maintenance of public beaches.

“The focus is on cleanliness. State representatives will be meeting soon with horse-riding and jet ski operators on this matter before sorting out the presence of illegal eateries and pubs along the Batu Ferringhi beachfront,” he said.

Earlier, Lim promised Gat Lebuh Nordin residents to look into their complaints – concerning poor maintenance, flash foods at their car park and security concerns – promptly.

He also said that the state government had allocated RM50mil over the next five years to carry out refurbishment works and repairs at all 42 state-owned public housing schemes.

• Prasarana to award all LRT line extension contracts by end June

• British police arrest 5 at Murdoch's Sun newspaper
• Japanese emperor to undergo bypass heart surgery
• South African bank notes to bear Mandela's image
• Romney wins Maine Republican caucuses

• Teenager Korda matches Dad by winning Australian Open
• World champion Blake opens season with lifetime best in 400m
• Kenya's Kiplagat wins speedy mile by 0.03 seconds
• NBA: Balanced 76ers cruise past under-manned Cavaliers
• Captain Chong Wei gives team-mates a delicious treat

• Marital issues among problems caused by smartphone addiction
• Protecting your personal data
• Job-hoppers rely on ‘parental net’
• Phone junkies
• If you love me, you’ll ...
• Hishammuddin: Saudi columnist will be repatriated
• Premium Outlets to be opened in Malacca, Sepang
• Loyalty not the priority as young workers prefer to switch jobs
• 60% in poll say they can’t live without their phones
• American ETAs feel right at home in Terengganu