NGOs, especially those in Penang, pride themselves as watchdogs to keep the government accountable.
But should NGOs themselves be held accountable for their own actions? The answer is a definite “yes”.
Our reason for this is simple: NGOs are influential in swaying public opinion on policies and development plans.
Their actions may impact society as a whole, and not always in a good way. As such, they should be held accountable for what they say and do.
It has been observed that certain Penang NGOs have access to the corridors of power. For instance, the group of NGOs identifying itself as Penang Forum was privileged to present its anti-progress campaign to the Council of Eminent Persons and the National Physical Planning Council chaired by the prime minister.
No other NGOs have such a privilege – why is that so?
Why should the opinion of Penang Forum be given greater weight than that of other members of society?
Penang Forum’s presentation potentially influences political decisions. Yet, when its opinion negatively impacts society, it is spared any form of accountability. Why should this be so?
In comparison, politicians are held accountable and can be voted out at the polls. But not NGOs. This lack of accountability can bring about significant harm to the economy and to society.
Already many people have become casualties of their callous remarks.
Recently, AnakPinang met the founder of Penang’s ESCAPE Theme Park, Sim Choo Kheng, who is also a Penangite. Sim is one of the big names in the international theme park industry. He is involved in more than 100 completed theme park projects around the world, including Dubai’s Motiongate and Bollywood Theme Park, Denmark’s Legoland, Bahrain’s Lost Paradise, Russia’s Ulyanovsk WaterPark, and Singapore’s Universal Studios.
These theme parks have become well-known attractions in their respective countries. And yet, in Penang, Sim’s own hometown, he is one of the victims of the NGOs.
Putting together ESCAPE was not easy. Sim faced numerous challenges. While many were easy to overcome, the callous and irresponsible opposition from the NGOs almost thwarted the project.
When ESCAPE was mooted in 2011, the NGOs alleged that its construction would destroy the surrounding nature and water catchments. Such an allegation was made without substantiation or basis. The land ESCAPE was built on was in fact a brownfield, a former construction site of the Teluk Bahang Dam upstream.
Yet, as a result of the NGOs’ irresponsible action, investors and banks pulled back from financing the project. It would not have seen the light of day had it not been for Sim’s tenacity to stay on and fund the project himself.
ESCAPE is an example of how NGOs do not know everything. Yet they continue their stranglehold on Penang society, forcing their opinion on the public without any form of accountability for their past mistakes, and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
Now, they are vehemently protesting against the Penang South Reclamation and the Penang Transport Master Plan. Isn’t it time we stand up to the NGOs and hold them accountable?
Timothy Tye is a spokesman of civil group AnakPinang and a former council member of Penang Heritage Trust. Joshua Woo is executive director of Penggerak Komuniti Muda and a former councillor of the Seberang Perai Council.
The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.