CM Chow resorts to ‘passing the buck’ on state land sale controversy

 No News Is Bad News

 For image info, go to https://www.robcampbellleadership.com/blog/2021/08/18/own-the-buck-dont-pass-the-buck (Own the buck, don't pass the buck)

CM Chow resorts to ‘passing the buck’ on state land sale controversy

UPDATE1:

MALAYSIA

Penang CM to sue tycoon for allegedly ‘smearing’ reputation

Chow Kon Yeow says he had consulted state excos in weekly meeting

Updated 2 hours ago · Published on 19 Oct 2023 6:48PM

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (centre, seated) seems to have taken a leaf out of his predecessor’s book when he revealed plans to file a libel suit against tycoon Tan Sri Tan Kok Pin for allegedly smearing his reputation by calling him incompetent, ignorant and shameless. – Penang Chief Minister’s Office pic, October 19, 2023

GEORGE TOWN – Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow seems to have taken a leaf out of his predecessor’s book when he revealed plans to file a libel suit against tycoon Tan Sri Tan Kok Pin for allegedly smearing his reputation by calling him incompetent, ignorant and shameless.

Tan allegedly made such remarks in an interview with the Chinese vernacular media.

Chow said he decided to file the suit after consulting his state executive councillors following a weekly meeting at Komtar.

“The purported remarks by Tan had shamed and smeared the chief minister,” he said in a statement today.

Tan is an honorary life president of the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC).

The outspoken corporate leader is known for his swashbuckling style as he has been critical of state figures, especially the third chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

Chow said that the necessary due process would be initiated by a lawyer.

Tan was critical of Chow’s handling of the controversial industrial land sale by the Penang Development Corporation, of which the latter is the board chairperson, to construction firm Umech Land Sdn Bhd.

The PCCC expressed their anxiety over the project, citing that the land sale was firstly below the market value. 

The chamber also raised a question on why the leasehold sale was for 99 years instead of the customary 60 years.

Tan also questioned if Chow was well informed of the project.

This is also believed to be the first time that Chow, the Padang Kota assemblyman and Batu Kawan MP, had resorted to suing someone since he came into office in 2018. – The Vibes, October 19, 2023

 KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19, 2023: To hardcore and “blind” DAP supporters who think all their leaders are full of integrity, accountability and responsibility, think twice.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow is the epitome of what a DAP leader should not be - akin to leaders of the previous corrupt Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

After defending the controversial sale of state land to Umech Land Sdn Bhd, Chow made an embarrassing U-turn and got Penang Development Corporation (PDC) to rescind the deal to jointly develop the Batu Kawan Industrial Park 2.

The shameless Chow, in his bid to absolve himself from the soured deal, was unapologetic when he announced the U-turn.

Now, he is trying to portray himself as “a leader with integrity” by telling the media that PDC must buck up!

That is what we call “passing the buck” to save his political skin.

Isn’t he the chief minister, thus also the PDC boss?

Chow should “buck up” himself, if not step down gracefully for the sake of DAP’s administrative integrity.

No News Is Bad News reproduces below the “passing the buck” news report:

MALAYSIA

Buck up, Chow tells PDC

This follows the rescinding of the controversial land sale between construction giant Umech Land Sdn Bhd and PDC

Updated 11 hours ago · Published on 18 Oct 2023 7:15PM

Chow told a press conference here that PDC needs to beef up measures in the areas of tenders and collaborations - The Vibes pic, October18, 2023

 

BY Ian McIntyre

GEORGE TOWN - Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has ordered the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) to find new ways to improve its policies on holding open tenders, requests for proposals and direct negotiations.

This follows the rescinding of the controversial land sale between construction giant Umech Land Sdn Bhd and PDC, after it was revealed that the contractor had at the last minute entered into a majority equity sale to master city developer - the publicly listed Sunway Group Berhad.

PDC claimed it was not notified nor consulted over the stake sale to a third party, while allegations continue to rock the authority over the below-market value sale and the lack of due diligence done on the company.

Chow told a press conference here that PDC needs to beef up measures in the areas of tenders and collaborations with the private sector to offer more clarity in the awarding of projects.

The senior management of PDC is bound by their key performance indexes (KPI) to drive the performance of the development arm.

"This involves their bonuses and higher wages so they will take their KPI seriously," said Chow, adding that there is always room to improve PDC's performance.

Chow defended the original steps undertaken to approve the leasehold sale but stressed that there are some areas which he cannot divulge due to the legal aspects following the decision by the PDC board, which he chairs to rescind the deal with Umech.

"We have sent a three-month notice to the company to inform them that we are cancelling the deal and we are waiting for their response. Hence, I am bound by some legalities."

There is a need to abide by the notice period accorded to the company, he said, adding that the board statement issued yesterday, is deemed satisfactory for now.

On the barrage of criticism by the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce towards his leadership, Chow said that PDC had originally replied to the queries by the chambers.

He considered the PDC reply to also represent him, as he was the PDC board chairman.

On why the change of company from the original partner - Umech Construction to Umech Land, Chow replied that it was the same company and directors.

At times, some companies opt for a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to be an enabler to the deal they are designing, said Chow.

Earlier, Chow said that the state was seeking to aid the organisers of the annual "Miaohui" Lunar New Year celebrations next year since they needed RM890,000 to oversee the event, which is now a staple show for the New Year festivities here.

Penang is trying to seek sponsors of about RM600,000 to help the organiser.

Held under the auspices of the Penang Chinese Clans Association Council, next year's celebration would be the 25th since it first began in 1999.

It will be held on February 18, next year where 12 roads in the Unesco World Heritage Site will be cordoned off to mark the cultural and heritage signature event.

There would be a diverse cultural performance involving the community from street shows to the celebration of the various Chinese dialects and ancestral culture.

Chow said that 20 organisations and clans would be part of next year's "Miaohui." - The Vibes, October 18, 2023.