State executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo (DAP-Dato Keramat) and Opposition leader Jahara Hamid (Umno-Telok Ayer Tawar) crossed swords over the controversial Taman Manggis issue.
In replying to a question during the oral questions session, Jagdeep accused the former Barisan Nasional (BN) state government of not going through with the second phase of the Taman Manggis Peoples’ Housing Project (PPR).
“The state government under BN had directly rejected an application by the Federal Land Commissioner to develop the portion of land.
“It was decided in a State Executive Council meeting on March 28, 2007, and affirmed on April 4 the same year.
“This is clear that the Penang Government under BN had no plans to develop the remainder of Taman Manggis PPR,” he said.
Jagdeep then asked Jahara if she remembered the decisions on the PPR made at two exco sessions in 2003 and 2005, where the project was deferred, as she was a State Executive Councillor then.
“No, I do not remember,” Jahara replied.
Jagdeep then slammed Jahara for having selective memory and for inciting a mass protest over the Taman Manggis issue in late March.
An infuriated Jahara demanded that Jagdeep retract his remark. She said it was wrong to accuse her of inciting a protest.
“I did not say such a thing, I did not incite people to carry out a flash mob. Please take it back!” Jahara said.
“How come you do not remember, when you gave TV3 an interview on March 25… you brought up the issue about the memo, what is this?” Jagdeep said.
Backbencher R S N Rayer (DAP-Seri Delima) then stood up and played a video of Jahara’s interview with TV3 on his mobile phone.
Speaker Law Choo Kiang then told Rayer to put down the phone and go ahead with his supplementary question.
“Speaker sir, this is clear proof that Jahara had spoken to TV3 about the memo,” Rayer said.
The Speaker then told the bickering parties to sit down and the debate ended.
The first phase of Taman Manggis PPR project, with 320 units, was completed in 2007 and fully occupied.
However, the second phase, which did not kick off, was supposed to have 272 units on a 0.46ha.
Both phases were supposed to be built on a 2ha site bordering Jalan Burma, Jalan Zainal Abidin and Lorong Selamat.
The issue was first brought up by Tasek Gelugor MP Shabudin Yahaya during a session of Parliament in March.
He pointed out that Kuala Lumpur International Dental Centre (KLIDC) Sdn Bhd had purchased the plot of land in Taman Manggis from the state government for RM11.5 million in an open tender.
The second phase of the PPR was supposed to be built on that land. However, both BN and Pakatan have disputed the actual use of the land.
KLIDC’s purchase of the land has been allegedly linked to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s purchase of a bungalow.
KLIDC and Lim have denied any wrongdoing and welcomed investigations into the matter. Both parties are being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.