I would like to respond towards a Facebook post by Penang Forum dated 28th July 2019 (https://www.facebook.com/155213444840142/posts/898703617157784/ – posted on 8.54pm, 28th July 2019) in relation to the Sia Boey Rejuvenation project, in which they criticize on the so called ‘hiding’ of dirty water through the Sia Boey Prangin Canal rejuvenation project.
This is a very disgusted and uncalled for comment by the Penang Forum, a small group of people who just doesn’t want to see any improvement or development in the beloved state of Penang.
The Sia Boey Rejuvenation project was launched on the 25th March 2018 with the aim to transform the run downed Sia Boey into an area that facilitates the coexistence of development and heritage conversation. As part of the important history of George Town where Sia Boey was the gateway of ordinary people to George Town since 300 years ago, the rejuvenation project aims to add value towards the UNESCO World Heritage Site by enhancing the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) as well as to provide a space for heritage conservation, cultural heritage education, green park and sustainable development for the city of George Town.
A site visit was conducted on 27th July 2019 by The Right Honourable Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Chow Kon Yeow had revealed to the member of press the rejuvenated site prior to its official opening to public estimated in September, 2019. Since the visit, photos of the rejuvenated Prangin Canal had gain interest especially on social media where Koi and Tilapia fishes are swimming actively in the restored Prangin Canal.
This rejuvenation project marks the commitment and effort by the Penang State Government in the appreciation of heritage conservation and sustainable development, by turning once a dirty and rubbish stuffed canal into a new icon for George Town, which are similar to the rivers and ponds found in Japan or South Korea.
Apparently, this success story had irked and discouraged Penang Forum who only wish to see efforts by the Penang State Government in making Penang a better state for its citizen goes south. This is not the first time that the group of people hiding behind the name of Penang Forum tried their luck to intimidate and using wrong facts to justify their evil agenda.
One Facebook post by the Penang Forum dated 29th May 2019 (https://www.facebook.com/penangforum/posts/858995564461923 – posted on 6.30pm, 29th May 2019) in relation to the ‘imaginary pollution’ happening at Clan Jetties was a solid proof of Penang Forum’s evil agenda to put wrong facts in confusing the public.
The ‘imaginary pollution’ was nothing new in fact and was a normal phenomenon occurred around Clan Jetties whereby an interview conducted by Kwong Wah Yit Poh (http://www.kwongwah.com.my/20190530/%e6%a7%9f%e5%b2%9b%e5%a7%93%e6%b0%8f%e6%a1%a5%e6%b5%b7%e5%9f%9f-%e6%83%8a%e7%8e%b0%e7%99%bd%e8%89%b2%e6%bc%82%e6%b5%ae%e7%89%a9%ef%bc%81/ published on 30th May 2019) with the local resident who grow up at the jetties mentioned that this phenomenon happens every first and fifteen day of the lunar calendar and it is nothing new, and surely it is not the ‘imaginary pollution’ as claimed by Penang Forum. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kwong Wah Yit Poh and other press who contributed to the clarification and a big slap on the face of Penang Forum.
Once again Penangites had witnessed the coordinated tactics by Penang Forum, or rather the “Anti-Penang” Penang Forum, where this group of people just wish to see everything fails in Penang. It is time for the people of Penang to realize the ride that Penang Forum is taking everyone on to and to reject nonsense coming from them.
Enough is enough. If Penang Forum only wish to be positioned as stooges of rejected political parties and continue their act of damaging whatever it is good for the State then so be it. But please step aside and allow improvements and rejuvenations by the Penang State Government to make our beloved state great again.
The numerous success stories of Penang State Government had proven that we are in the right track to elevate Penang into the next level and to become a family-focused, green and smart state that stands to inspires the nation. Penangites had heard enough and are extremely tired of the “anti-Penang” Penang Forum.