CONCERNS

Millennium Plaza

OUT OF THE BLUE, it was announced that another monstrosity is coming up - this time on the historic Esplanade. It is called the "Millennium Plaza". Now where did they get that name? Are we unduly suspicious in thinking that it is borrowed from the much lamented Millennium Dome? - "the biggest New Year Bang in England",  "the greatest show on earth," and "the envy of the world". US$270 million went down the drain when the grandiose project collapsed. 

Penang's latest brainwave, a circular granite structure, is to jut into the sea. Universiti Sains archaeologist, Prof. Zuraina Majid protests, saying that the digging involved will destroy archaeological material. The Penang Heritage Trust points out that the plan is against the essence of the UNESCO World Heritage Listing. 

This latest project will add to Penang's list of urban disasters. Remember that ugly building at the corner that destroyed the symmetry of the Downing Street complex?  And the magnificent magistrate's courts (now occupied by the State Assembly) have lost the nostalgic chain-boundary that marked the charm of that historical area. Its replacement is a kindergarten ornamentation of  iron fencing and lamps, cruelly disfiguring the collection of buildings adorning that corner of earth by their singular ugliness and vulgarity. This state's administration is development mad and we fear nothing is sacred to them, not even the beautiful Esplanade area, the jewel in Penang's crown 

The irony of it is that the state boasts that it has drawn up an inventory of trees with historical and botanical value.  It boasts that its tree planting campaign has put in  152,317 plants and that 200,000 trees will be planted next five years. And believe it or not,  MPPP has engaged a landscape architect to "beautify" Penang. Those guys whose brainwave is the Millennium Plaza - do they know about these plans for trees and plans for Heritage listing? 

Once upon a time, not so long ago,  Penangites were entertained by Scott and his municipal band that entertained in the evenings by the sea. The bandstand should be rebuilt and our talented musicians should be welcomed to play to us on the Esplanade. Think music, not concrete, dear State and MPPP! 

Build, then sell

THOSE WHO HAD THOUGHT  the Consumer Association of Penang hair-brained to have advocated a policy of "build, then sell" for houses should look at what Bandar Utama Development SB has done. The company sold 100 of its ready-built 2 ½ storey Impiria houses priced at RM550,000 in just four hours. 

The idea, based on the thought "Why not sell a house just as you do a car?" has caught on. Kuala Lumpur and Selangor House Buyers Association (HBA) chairman Zainuddin Bachik said that the concept would help solve the problem of house-buyers not getting their homes due to abandoned projects. The chairman proposes that housing developers should only charge 10 percent of the purchase price from home buyers as down payment, and that no more payments be made until the completion of their projects. "If the buyers are satisfied with the completed houses, they can pay the full payment. If not, they can get their down payment back," he said. On paid-up capital, the chairman pointed out that it should be more than the RM250,000 required by the Housing Developers Act 1966. 

World class

WE ARE GLAD THAT  the "world class " tourism project for Batu Maung is being held up by the Draft Structure Plan 2000-2010 (DSP). A company with the risible name Long-term Pride wants to develop the  35 ha. seafront into a pedestrian promenade, hotel, private hospital, handicraft village and housing scheme using "Australian expertise". This is against the DSP which describes Batu Maung as suitable for "domestic tourism" and "lower hierarchy of urban development."  If approved this "world class" project will be yet another nail in Penang's coffin. # 

   Open : Mondays - Fridays: 1.00pm - 6.00pm