GEORGE TOWN – Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has played down his open-ended remarks of an alleged plot to oust him following a call from DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng to furnish evidence of such an attempt.
Chow said he informed an audience at the SMK Heng Eee’s 25th anniversary celebration dinner that he wanted the new state administration to get behind him.
“I was touched by the school’s call for the alumni to come together and close ranks for their school.
“So likewise, I made a similar clarion call for the state executive councillors and all parties related to the state to come together and work for the state.”
Chow explained that he had then alluded to a possible plot due to the speculation that he would be dropped or replaced as the chief minister during the last state election.
“That is all. If there is no such plot, then I am fine. We move on,” said Chow after launching the think tank-Penang Institute’s south wing building here.
Asked if the outcome of the land deal between Penang Development Corporation and Umech Land Sdn Bhd would sour the state’s reputation as a leading investment destination, Chow said that direct negotiation is done for most acquisition of industrial land, as it was tailored to meet the specific needs of each investor.
“There is nothing new in having direct negotiations with the prospecting investors for industrial land, especially if it is designed to help the state’s economic fortunes.”
PDC has since cancelled the deal following a directive by its board, where Chow is the chairman.
Chow said that this time, the state, through PDC, needed to be extra careful as the deal involved a huge parcel of some 500 acres.
This is why it was better to rescind the deal and go through another request for proposal, said Chow.
The need is to move on to achieve the Vision 2030 development masterplan, which Chow says he needs a buy-in from everyone.
Since it was DAP who had sanctioned and appointed him to his post, Chow stressed that it was only logical for him to seek the support of his party mates in government. – The Vibes, October 17, 2023
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