He said this was to prevent those who flouted the law from dragging their feet in legalising their businesses or buildings, which the Penang government had been assisting them with over the past nine years.
Lim’s revelation came after critics asked why the policy was not made known before the recent crackdown on an illegal factory in Bukit Mertajam.
“We did not want to give the impression that these illegal outfits can continue operating.
“Our goal was to give them time to operate legally or for an amicable solution to be reached,” Lim said at a press conference in Komtar today.
The policy is to be lenient with illegal outfits built before 2008, as long as they do not block traffic or create a nuisance to the public.
Lim said the policy applied to buildings, factories, hawker stalls, temples and churches.
He said the same stance was taken in the case of a factory producing activated carbon in Sungai Lembu, Bukit Mertajam.
Federal investigators started a corruption probe into the factory and Penang executive councillor Phee Boon Poh after receiving complaints. The probe saw Phee and two factory bosses detained for three days for investigations.
The factory was subsequently sealed by environment regulators and the fire pits extinguished as they did not have proper emission controls. Residents nearby had been complaining of the smoke for many years.
Lim said people had the right to criticise his government for the lack of action during the past nine years the DAP-led government had held power in Penang.
He said since Barisan Nasional (BN) was particularly vocal about the issue, the party should offer a solution to the problem of illegal buildings constructed prior to 2008.
Lim said in a recent news report, The Malaysian Insight had stated that the Bukit Mertajam activated carbon factory had been operating since 2002.
He said BN had now resorted to twisting the facts by saying it came into existence only in 2008.
“I know illegal structures are not right. You criticise us for trying to find an amicable solution for the parties involved. We accept that.
“We have been handed down 50-odd years’ worth of problems from the previous BN government.
“We need more time. This is something we cannot settle in nine years.
“BN passed us this mess and we have been cleaning up their mess all these years without making a big deal out of it. But yet, BN criticises us.
“I wonder, since BN is so keen on criticising, what would BN do? Would they tear down all illegal buildings if they were in power?
“They must answer this question. Or else, do not be a tin kosong and criticise us for cleaning up your mess,” he said.
Gerakan: Satellite pics show illegal factory expanded in 2008