GEORGE TOWN, Dec 28 — Penangites who have submitted their feedback during the public display of the draft local plan have the option to attend a public hearing, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said today.
He said those who had submitted the feedback forms can attend the public hearing to air their views openly.
“There is no obstruction to those who wish to present their objections or views against anything in the draft local plan and they can take the opportunity to air their views in the public hearing,” he told a press conference after announcing an upcoming LovePENANG Carnival here.
Chow said the public display of the draft local plan was supposed to be held only for a month in accordance with the law, but the state government decided to extend it until January 10, 2023.
“The city council has already held meetings with various organisations to highlight the sections that may bring changes to lands on the island,” he said.
Penang Gerakan youth spokesman Tan Zhen Zune yesterday claimed the draft local plan was not easily accessible to the public and suggested a townhall be held instead.
The first draft local plan for Penang island by the Pakatan Harapan administration was unveiled in October this year.
The last draft Penang Island local plan was completed in September 2007 when Barisan Nasional (BN) was the state government.
The BN was roundly defeated in the 2008 general election before it could gazette that plan.
The new Penang Island draft local plan can be accessed online here.
