DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng's rift with his Penang Chief Minister successor, Chow Kon Yeow, upped another notch when he sought to remind Chow that the plight of the people must be championed as part of DAP's original principles.
Lim also echoed that many voters in Penang would not support the chief minister if the state Pakatan Harapan (PH) electoral manifesto contains the proposed hike in quit rent.
"I was shocked by Chow's remarks last night that the manifesto is not a document which should prevent the state government from introducing new initiatives or policies," said Lim in a statement.
There was no sign from Chow that the unity manifesto, released on August 2, 2023, had permitted a steep quit rent hike of thousands of per cent.
"Let me stress once again, no voter would support a manifesto if they knew that there would be a steep quit rent hike that comes with it."
Lim said that Chow was muddled in his outlook by linking the proposed Penang International Financial Centre (PIFC) with the manifesto.
There are two separate initiatives - the PIFC was mooted to benefit the people and the state whereas the quit rent hike can affect the financial and lives of the landowners in the state, said Lim.
Hence, Lim urged Chow to meet the promises made under the manifesto, which guaranteed that no party would be sidelined in the quest for development.
Even if the voters endorsed PH, it does not mean that the leaders can easily approve the steep hike in quit rent.
Lim cited examples, stating that the quit rent for the school - SRJK © Li Hwa Butterworth rose from RM2 to RM 8,074.
The landowner of the property saw the quit rent going from RM6 to RM19,400.
He also cited three cases in the Batu Kawan parliament constituency, of which Chow is the Member of Parliament.
Quit rent for a village home in Kampung Sekolah, Juru, went from RM12 to RM34,118 and a landowner, Mohd Mustafa, exclaimed that he felt pressured until he wanted to jump off the Penang Bridge.
Sim Chuan Day, 57, who stays at his ancestral home, saw his quit rent shoot up from RM29 to RM21,103, and Khoo Geok Sim, 53, saw her quit rent up from RM80 to RM51,373.
"It is illogical for such a steep increase," said Lim.
Lim cited another example, alleging that it was heartbreaking for landowner Loh Seng Lee, 62, whose quit rent went from RM6,901 to RM34,715.
"Loh is under pressure due to bank loans and a stagnant business outlook. He stands to lose everything with the new quit rent rate," said Lim.
What is the point of travelling across one state yet one has yet to meet one's own voters in Batu Kawan, said Lim.
Lim was also displeased with Chow, who continues to defend an abysmal performance of the civil service in the state land and mines department, which had apparently miscalculated on the new rates.
"It is meaningless to defend the indefensible. If the department calculated correctly, then why is there a reduction given until 90%?"
One case was when Lim brought up the agricultural land status in Permatang Pauh; the quit rent was lowered from RM68,068 to RM12,155 after he had raised it.
If the rate was rational and correct while done professionally, why is there a discount permissible until the figure of 80% to 90% less," asked Lim.
The new structure needs to be reviewed, said Lim.- March 20, 2026.
