Green State Penang?

I read with dismay that my state Penang has not gazetted this rainwater harvesting systems (RHS). Not sure why. Is the Cleaner Greener Penang just a ploy to hoodwink the rakyat? Everything seems to show our state government is developer friendly rather than environmentally friendly. The Cleaner Greener Penang's banner with the rainbow is promising. However, the colors of rainbow could depict that of the politicians. Are the politicians showing their truly seven colors? 

 

When would Penang gazette?

 

Source: News from The Sun. Banner from greenstate.penang.gov.my

I just tak faham why MPPP cut those trees

The BOTAK Ficus benjamina along Jalan Masjid Negeri, Penang (15 Jan 2012)

Healthy ficus trees (Ficus benjamina) along Jalan Masjid Negeri were not spare too. I just don't understand why the authority has to hack until BOTAK! Couldn't they just prune those branches that obstruct? These ficus trees will not pose any hazard during stormy weather as they are very sturdy and durable trees....beside they are hardly huge enough to endanger anyone. So what is the reason for the wide spread hacking of trees in Penang? I can only think of one answer. There are many road tarring and now the hacking of trees. It can only means that election is near and cronies must be given works to fill their pockets. Isn't it time to have a Green political party to voice our dissatisfaction? So much for the Pakatan's slogan, "Cleaner Greener Penang". Bullshit!



January 10, 2012
‘Tree killers’ at work in Penang
Star

GEORGE TOWN: The local authorities have come under fire over the pruning of the island's trees.

A reader called up The Star on Sunday to complain about how badly the trees along Jalan Tanjong Bungah, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Jalan Udini and Sungai Ara had been pruned.

“The trees have all been hacked and pruned until they are bald.

“Even the shrubs along Jalan Mesjid Negri and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah have not been spared,” B.S. Yeng said.

He added that the roots of the trees lining Jalan Gottlieb were exposed due to a road widening project.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) president S.M. Mohamed Idris said SAM highlighted the problem in the media in 2003.

“In the last few years, they've been more careful but lately the tree murderers' are back in action.

“What they are doing now is simply hacking away until there's nothing left,” he said.

Mohamed Idris called on the relevant authorities to engage experts to advise them on tree care and maintenance.

Tree maintenance on the island is under the purview of the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) and Public Works Department (JKR).

State Public Works, Utilities, Transport Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng said the roads highlighted by Yeng were mostly federal roads monitored by the JKR.

“I immediately looked into the complaint and was told that the tree maintenance work was done by a private contractor.

“JKR will be monitoring the contractor more closely” he said.

Mengkuang Dam Expansion Project - 1st Aug 2011

Beginning 1 Aug 2011, the dam will be closed for the expansion of the dam for 5 years. It will be a white elephant when completed as there are not enough rivers (infact only streams) to feed the dam. A federal govt project that make no sense...except perhaps to enrich some cronies. Refer to this website that done a research on the dam years ago...under CM Dr Koh then. Today under the new CM Lim, its just the same cock story. Click here

---------

July 30, 2011
Residents don’t want park to be closed during work on Mengkuang Dam
Star

Residents living near the Mengkuang Dam in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, are appealing that the adjoining recreational park be closed in stages once the dam extension project starts.

Their representative Datuk Seri Teh Aik Lum said that the recreational park had long been a venue for exercise for those staying nearby.

“We understand that the dam extension project is necessary as it is important for the state’s water supply.

“However, we hope the recreational park can be closed in stages so nearby residents will be able to use sections of it as construction goes on,” Teh said during a press conference at Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s office in Komtar.

Lim, who chaired the press conference, said the dam would be handed over to the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water on August 1 for the commencement of the RM1.2bil project.

“Through Penang Water Supply Corporation Sdn Bhd (PBAPP), the state has forwarded the residents’ appeal to the relevant ministry in a letter dated July 27.

“We want to say that we support this request but this is a Federal Government project and they are completely in control of it,” Lim said, adding that residents had collected 30,000 signatures in a petition to close the park in stages.

He added that the issue would also be brought up during a project meeting with the ministry and other relevant parties today.

PBAPP general manager Jaseni Maidinsa, who was also present, said the residents’ proposal involved building by-laws that the project constructor would need to take into account.

“The park is located directly in the construction area and it is mandatory for the construction site to be fenced up to protect both the public and the equipment at the site,” he said.

He added that the expansion project, which would take five years to complete, would increase the dam capacity by almost four times, bringing the maximum storage volume to 78mil cubic metres.

“This will safeguard the state’s water supply until 2020,” he said.

Polystyrene ban in Penang

July 12, 2010
Star

GEORGE TOWN: Penang will enforce a ban on polystyrene starting Jan 1 next year.

The ban will cover all food premises and temporary hawking sites owned by local councils on the island and mainland, state Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said.

“Come Jan 1, hawkers who do not adhere to the ruling will have their licences revoked. Starting Aug 1, all monthly and yearly licence application forms will have the clause stipulating the ban on polystyrene.

“Revocation is the last resort. We will try our best to advice and educate them first,” he told reporters after launching the “Cleaner Greener Penang” programme at Sunshine Farlim yesterday.

He said state Health, Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh was looking at whether alternatives to polystyrene could be sourced at a cheaper price.

Penang state government set to create a greener public realm

Wednesday May 19, 2010
By WINNIE YEOH
Star

GEORGE TOWN: Penang is launching a green initiative, roping in the private sector, non-governmental organisations, the media, government agencies and other stakeholders to work towards making George Town an international city.

The “Cleaner Greener Penang” initiative, to be launched on Saturday, is pioneered by the state government and Star Publications (M) Bhd and supported by the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) and Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP).

State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow, who heads the initiative, said the objectives of the one-year campaign were to improve the quality of life and create a greener public realm.

“We also want to raise awareness on the importance of looking after the environment,” he told reporters at Komtar here yesterday.

“We have to derive creative solutions to meet the needs and concerns of the community,” he said.

To monitor and evaluate the success of the initiative, Chow said four key result areas have been set – creating cleaner and greener neighbourhoods, achieving waste minimisation through 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle), transforming mindsets towards responsible citizenship and empowering and building community structure for sustainable living.

He added that the public were encouraged to provide suggestions.

The Star’s regional operations manager (north) Chung Chok Yin said the company was more than pleased to participate in the campaign.

“We hope other media companies will also work together for a more sustainable environment,” he said.

The initiative will be launched at the Prangin Canal at 8.30am. The public can provide feedback at its website www.cleanergreenerpenang.com or call MPPP at 04-263 7637 04-263 7637 or MPSP at 04-537 2658