Penang council seeks upgrade

By admin on January 11th, 2010

GEORGE TOWN: The state government will submit a proposal to the Housing and Local Government Ministry soon to upgrade the status of the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) to Penang Island City Council.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he had spoken to minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha on the matter when they met at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport recently.

“He had no objection to the proposal. In fact, he told me the offer was made to the previous government but was never taken up.

“We think the time has come for MPPP to be accorded the status after George Town was awarded Unesco World Heritage City status.

“We will forward the necessary papers to the ministry, but at the same time, retain our George Town City status accorded by Queen Elizabeth II on Jan 1, 1957,” he told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony of 24 MPPP councillors at the City Hall building at the Esplanade here yesterday.

Lim also said the MPPP’s coffers had a surplus of RM47.9mil.

On another matter, state Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow, who was also present, said MPPP would be setting up an Enforcement and Public Education Committee to address enforcement issues.

He said the committee would be made up of chairmen from the legal, building, planning and enforcement units.

“We want to get their input to tackle any issues regarding enforcement, and of course, to undertake public education, which is necessary prior to enforcement,” he said.

The Star - January 11, 2010
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/11/nation/5446068&sec=nation

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