No action taken by Penang govt against illegal premises before 2008: Guan Eng

GEORGE TOWN: The DAP-led Penang government has not 'touched' or taken any action against any building, house of worship or hawker stall operating illegally and existed before 2008 in the state unless it disturbs the public and the traffic flow.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (pix) said it was the DAP-led Penang government's policy after taking over administration in 2008.
He said action would only be taken against those premises depending on the need.
"We have decided that all illegal buildings, including factories, would not be touched unless it disturbed the public and the traffic flow ... this is the state government's policy that we do not touch any (building, house of worship and hawker stall) that existed before 2008," he told reporters at the Magistrate Court compound here yesterday.
The chief minister and several DAP leaders and Pakatan Harapan assemblymen, were there to show support and solidarity to state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh, who was detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to assist in investigations into the case of a factory operating illegally in Kampung Sungai Lembu, Bukit Mertajam for the last 10 years. Two men aged 70 and 37, were also arrested in connection to the case. — Bernama