GEORGE TOWN: The public has every right to know about the land deal in Batu Kawan, including members of the Penang Chinese Chambers of Commerce (PCCC), says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s political secretary Lau Keng Ee.
"But this does not mean that one, especially a member of a Chinese business association, can be domineering, disrespectful and rude in hurling insults at others.
"Members of PCCC should draw a clear line and condemn this small group of disrespectful leaders of the association," said Lau in a statement.
It was earlier reported that Chow would take legal action against prominent businessman Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping for making defamatory remarks against him over a land deal in Batu Kawan during a press conference on Wednesday (Oct 18).
Lau said under the principle of democratic accountability, everyone had the right to hold the government accountable.
He said elected representatives could also bring the matter to the state legislative assembly to seek clarification.
On Oct 3, the PCCC raised questions about the selling price of the 226.2ha plot of Penang Development Corporation-owned (PDC) land near the former Byram estate in south Seberang Prai.
The PCCC alleged that the current market price of the industrial land was RM80 per sq ft and questioned the sales price and the four-year term payment.
They also questioned why PDC had sold the land to a private company without an open tender.
On Monday (Oct 16), the PDC board announced that it had decided to terminate the joint venture agreement with UMECH Land following calls to suspend the controversial sale of the land.
Chow, at another press conference earlier, said it was untrue that he did not respond to queries on the matter.
