THE Penang government has directed Penang Development Corporation (PDC) to prepare a working paper to review all sale processes for projects involving its land, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.

Chow said this was a measure to improve PDC, especially how it handles land sales.

“We welcome any party that wants to give suggestions to improve the state government or its agencies, including on how to improve land sales and purchases by PDC.

“PDC management has been instructed to prepare a working paper to review the land sale process for projects that will be implemented on PDC land because we want to improve the processes.

“PDC is already implementing several methods for its land transactions either through open tenders, requests for proposals, or via direct negotiations with concerned parties,” he said in a press conference George Town today.

The chief minister was responding to issues raised by the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC) regarding the sale of PDC-owned land in the Batu Kawan Industrial Park 2 (BKIP2) to Umech Land Sdn Bhd.

Chow, who is also PDC chairman, said the working paper must be completed as soon as possible to be presented to the PDC board in a few weeks.

He thanked all parties that gave suggestions to improve the performance of the state government or its agencies.

PCCC chairman Hong Yeam Wah, in a separate press conference, said the chamber was not blaming any politician, company or person for the disputed land deal.

He said PCCC was focused on proper procedures regarding the sale of the land for the benefit of the Penang people.

“We hope PDC does not repeat its mistakes, and it must be prepared with a professional evaluation. What is most surprising in the sale of land to Umech, as apart from having no public tender, there is no professional evaluation report.

“Without such protection and filters, how can we ensure the interests of PDC and the people of Penang can be fully protected?”’ he asked.

Various parties, including the PCCC, have questioned the sale of 223.6ha of land in Byram in BKIP2.

PDC decided to terminate its collaboration agreement with Umech via a three-month notice. – Bernama, October 18, 2023.