Guan Eng: SPAN should focus on other states instead of Penang

GEORGE TOWN: The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) chairman Datuk Liang Teck Meng has been told to focus on states with high water tariffs and water rationing instead of Penang.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng questioned why so much attention was focused on a state with no history of water rationing and the lowest water tariffs in the country.

He said Kedah and Johor, noting the latter was where Liang was from, suffered from water rationing affecting more than 100,000 residents.

"He (Liang) should focus on other states where there is water rationing not continue to bully and penalise Penang.

"Penang everyday is in the papers, we have no water rationing, we have the lowest water rates yet we are still attacked," he said today in the latest salvo in a war of words between the two.

The verbal tiff started after Liang called upon Lim to reveal the contents of a Dec 23, 2016, letter where the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) applied to increase tariffs.

His demand comes after Lim allegedly accused Liang of signaling the federal government wanted Penang to increase water rates inline with other states.

Lim however has hit back that the application was withdrawn in Feb 21, 2017, noting the PBAPP application was made to fulfill the business plan required by SPAN.

He said SPAN had "strongly objected" when PBAPP withdrew the application to increase water tariffs and was told to reconsider twice in writing.

"One letter does not tell the whole story ... You do not reveal only one letter and not (the) other letters," he added in a press conference.

Meanwhile in a statement today, Liang told Lim to stop diverting the issue and desist from personal attacks.

"Reveal the content of the Dec 23 2016 letter for the public to judge who is right or wrong.

"What happened to your commitment to transparency? Has it now turned to secrecy?," he asked.

Lim earlier had opened the Asean Design Forum convened in conjunction with the George Town Festival.

Forum participants will speak and explore the status quo of design, the future of design and space making industries in the region.

Among the noted designers in attendance are MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum founder Eric Bunnag Booth, award winning furniture designer and manufacturer Kenneth Cobonpue and women wear label Ong Shunmugam founder Priscilla Shunmugam.