GEORGE TOWN – Penang Gerakan has called on the state government to cancel the renovation of exco offices at Komtar, saying the RM4.95 million undertaking is ill-timed.
The chapter’s chairman, Oh Tong Keong, in a statement said the people are experiencing hardship due to the Covid-19 pandemic and extended movement control order.
“The Penang government should focus its resources on resolving the people’s problems during the pandemic, rather than buying luxury cars and conducting major renovations.
“The state government had better stop this plan immediately.”
He was referencing the purchase of an official car for the chief minister last month, which cost the Penang administration RM458,000.
Many quarters have urged the state government against extravagant spending.
“If RM5 million was used to help the people, and each family received RM500, it could save the lives of about 10,000 poor families,” said Oh.
“Is the Penang government addicted to squandering the people’s hard-earned money? After spending RM500,000 in January to buy a luxury Mercedes as (the chief minister’s) official car, another RM5 million will be spent in February to renovate the exco offices.”
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow yesterday confirmed that the offices will undergo a RM4.95 million renovation.
He said the plan is not new, having been first mooted in 2019 to increase excos’ working space.
At present, each office, used by an exco with four to five staff, measures about 130 sq m.
The renovation involves offices on Levels 52 and 53 of Komtar, with four offices to be moved to Level 31.
The cost can be further reduced with a competitive open tender.
The exco offices were set up in 1986, and have never undergone major renovations. – The Vibes, February 3, 2021
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