Penang govt will not approve Air Itam land transfer deal

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today slammed the land transfer dealing involving two companies that were shortlisted to purchase the 9.47 ha land in Air Itam owned by 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
According to Lim, the state government will not approve the land transfer deal.
"Don't play play with us, I have given multiple warnings. We will not approved the land transfer," he said during a press conference at Bayan Mutiara here today.
Lim said the land transfer involves the public interest and the state government will protect their rights.
"We have already issue a directive to the state land office on the matter. Any land belonging to 1MDB will not be approved by the state. Company and individuals bidding on the land should be aware of that," Lim added.
He was commenting on a report by an English daily that two Penang-based companies which were shortlisted after a competitive tender exercise to buy over the Air Itam land.
The daily quoting sources which stated that the two short-listed companies from the tender exercise were a joint venture between the Ideal Property and BSG groups, and a company related to Goh Choon Lye, a well-known developer in the state.
Lim was speaking to reporters after officiating the Asia Green QuayWest Residence ground breaking ceremony.
He said QuayWest Residence project consist of 1,235 units, of which 253 were affordable units, within the RM200,000, RM300,000 and RM400,000 price range at about gross development value of RM 1 billion.
"A total of 304 units of low-medium costs apartments will be build here,” he said adding Asia Green will also be sponsoring bicycle lane along the sea promenade of Queensbay.