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Media Statement
by Lau Weng San  
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(Petaling Jaya, Wednesday) : Is the UMNO-led BN government embarking on another mega project without proper public consultation and accountability?

For the past one week when Malaysians nationwide busy celebrating Malaysia’s 50-year nationhood and Visit Malaysia Year 2007 (VMY2007), mainstream media have started promoting various tourist spots for VMY2007. Among others a 60-metre high structure 'Eye on Malaysia', similar to the 'London Eye', which will be unveiled at the launch of VMY2007on Jan 6 at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur.

Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan said it would cost RM30 million (According to Oriental Daily dated 3^rd January 2007, the cost is RM43 million) to set-up the wheel and discussions were still ongoing whether the structure would remain a permanent feature after VMY 2007, indicating that the structure could be dismantled after 2007 and there is no pre-planning at all on this project.

Piling work has begun at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa where a 60m-high Ferris wheel with 42 gondolas will be installed as one of the major attractions for VMY2007. Each of the Ferris wheel’s air-conditioned gondolas can carry eight adults. “Eye On Malaysia” will provide city folks with a view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline. The Ferris wheel is of Swiss technology and will be specially brought in as one of the main attractions for VMY 2007.

Malaysians are surprised as to why such huge project which involved a whopping RM30 million minimum is not made known to the public earlier for public scrutiny when country’s economy is not performing as it should be, crippled with billion ringgits of losses due to the gigantic flood in southern Peninsula.

Will it not be better for tourist to take the KL Tower amidst the city of Kuala Lumpur at 515m above sea level, which is majestically poised at a breathtaking height of 421 metres to grasp a full view of KL at a greater height and a cheaper entry ticket (RM10 per adult) for a longer time as compared to only 60 metres of Eye On Malaysia at RM15 per entry? Even if you want to enjoy a free view, then Bukit Ampang (nicknamed “Little Genting”) can be a good choice also.

If the cost of construction of RM43 million as reported in Oriental Daily with an estimation that two million tourists will tour the Ferris wheel, then the whole project could end up in a loss of RM 13 million based on RM15 entry ticket per person. What is the point of running a losing business? Even if the cost is on RM0 million, what is the point of running a breakeven business, without making any money?

The whole argument is that such wastage of public fund could be avoided again if the government is sincere to walk the talk by having proper public consultation first before putting the cart before the horse by informing the public only when the construction of the project started.

(3/1/2007)