A SECURITY breach at Komtar, where the chief minister's office is located, had the management increasing its security. Among the steps taken was the closure of five entrances on the second floor. The move drew flack from inhouse traders who complained they were losing business. This included one disgruntled trader who attempted to set himself ablaze. Read here and here. After reviewing the procedures, the state government yesterday (17.08.10) ordered three of the five entrances be opened to the public. The other two would remain closed as they involved passageways for the VIPs. Read here

In related news, the state government came under pressure after its decision to renovate Komtar during Ramadhan, and therefore disrupting the bazaar that takes place during this period. More than 100 traders protested to voice their dissatisfaction over what they claimed to be the authorities’ last-minute decision. Komtar Merchants Association (KMA) vice-president Mohamed Ghani Abd Jiman said the renovation should not have been scheduled for the period as the traders had been operating there every Ramadhan for about 20 years. Read here

The Penang Development Corporation (PDC) denied a report that the 27 traders were prevented from doing business at the bazaar. “It is irresponsible to incite racial sentiments that the Malay traders are being oppressed just because KMA failed to manage the bazaar under the agreed rules”. Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik related that the traders were informed there would not be any renovation at the bazaar site until after Hari Raya. “I really don’t know why they are turning this into such a big issue.” Read here

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng weighed in stating that the state government did not ban traders from carrying out their business at the Ramadan bazaar on level three in Komtar. He said investigations revealed that the KMA had collected the rental from the traders, but the money was not handed over to the PDC. “When PDC did not get the rental, its officers followed procedure by not allowing the traders to set up their stalls.” Read here. KMA denies these allegations. Read here

There are plans to transform the 65-storey Komtar tower through a major facelift that includes adding an outdoor bubble lift and creating an open-air viewing deck on its rooftop. The plans are part of a revitalisation scheme to elevate the building in its function and aesthetics to become an iconic city structure. Read here

Other news

• United to draw medical tourists: Seven of Penang’s biggest private hospitals have banded together to establish the Penang Health Association, a platform to collectively promote the state as a medical haven for visitors. Read here
• Penang tiger park plan temporarily put off: Plans for a proposed tiger park on a 40ha plot in Relau has been temporarily put off. Read here
• Monitor high-rise buildings outside heritage zone, says PHT: Boundaries outside the World Heritage Site (heritage zone) in Penang must be monitored by the local authorities to prevent the rise of too many high-rise housing or commercial buildings. Read here
• Penang urged to be more aggressive in wooing FDI: The Penang government has been told to be more aggresssive in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), following the downward trend in the state this year. Read here
• Fomca: Increase water tariff by five sen to curb water misuse: The Federation of Malaysia Consumer Associations (Fomca) has urged the Penang Government to increase the state’s water tariff by five sen or 23% as a measure to promote water conservation. Read here

For more news on Penang August 9 to 15, 2010 , please click here 

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