Press Statement by Daniel Gooi, Penang State Assemblyman for Pengkalan Kota on 29th July 2019 (Monday) in George Town, Penang:
I would like to respond to a Facebook post by Penang Forum dated 28th July 2019 in relation to the Sia Boey Rejuvenation project, in which they criticise on the so-called ‘hiding’ of dirty water through the Sia Boey Prangin Canal rejuvenation project.
This is a very disgusting and uncalled for comment by the Penang Forum, a small group of people who just do not want to see any improvement or development in the beloved state of Penang.
The Sia Boey Rejuvenation project was launched on the 25th March 2018 with the aim to transform the run-down Sia Boey into an area that facilitates the coexistence of development and heritage conversation.
As part of the important history of George Town where Sia Boey being the gateway of ordinary people to the town for 300 years, the rejuvenation project aims to add value towards the UNESCO World Heritage Site by enhancing the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) as well as to provide a space for heritage conservation, cultural heritage education, green park and sustainable development for the city of George Town.
A site visit which was conducted on 27th July 2019 by Chief Minister Sdr Chow Kon Yeow has revealed to the press that the rejuvenated site prior to its estimated official opening to the public in September this year.
Since the visit, photos of the rejuvenated Prangin Canal have gained interest especially on social media where Koi and Tilapia fish are swimming actively in the restored Prangin Canal.
This rejuvenation project marks the commitment and effort by the Penang state government in the appreciation of heritage conservation and sustainable development, by turning what was once a dirty and rubbish-stuffed canal into a new icon for George Town, which are similar to the rivers and ponds found in Japan or South Korea.
Apparently, this success story has irked and discouraged Penang Forum, who only wishes to see efforts by the state government in making Penang a better state for its citizens go south.
This is not the first time that the group of people hiding behind the name of Penang Forum have tried their luck to intimidate, using wrong facts to justify their evil agenda.
One Facebook post by the Penang Forum dated 29th May 2019 in relation to the ‘imaginary pollution’ happening at Clan Jetties was a solid proof of Penang Forum’s evil agenda to use wrong facts in confusing the public.
The ‘imaginary pollution’ was nothing new, and was in fact a normal phenomenon occurred around Clan Jetties whereby an interview conducted by Kwong Wah Yit Poh with the local residents who grew up at the jetties mentioned that this phenomenon happens every first and fifteen day of the lunar calendar so it is nothing new, and surely it is not the ‘imaginary pollution’ claimed by Penang Forum.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kwong Wah Yit Poh and other press who contributed to the clarification, which is a big slap on the face of Penang Forum.
Once again, Penangites have witnessed the coordinated tactics by Penang Forum, or rather the “anti-Penang” Penang Forum, who just wishes to see everything fails in Penang.
It is time for the people of Penang to realise the ride that Penang Forum is taking everyone on and reject the nonsense coming from them.
Enough is enough. If Penang Forum only wishes to be positioned as stooges of rejected political parties and continue their act of damaging whatever is good for the State, then so be it.
But please step aside and allow improvements and rejuvenations by the Penang state government to make our beloved state great again.
The numerous success stories of Penang state government have proven that we are on the right track to elevate Penang to the next level, and to become a family-focused, green and smart state that stands to inspire the nation.
Penangites have heard enough and are extremely tired of the “anti-Penang” Penang Forum.
Daniel Gooi
Below are some photos from the rejuvenated Sia Boey site, as well as the drains next to it in front of Prangin Mall, where council workers spent countless efforts in cleaning up rubbish and waste thrown into the drains.
