State government will not meddle in private projects

GEORGE TOWN: The state government does not meddle in private deals, said state local government, traffic management and flood mitigation committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow (pix).
"We are not into any private deals, even if it involves an apartment project," he said during a press conference at his office today.
Chow was responding to a question from reporters on whether a proposed hotel which is part of a private hospital project at Peel Avenue is on sale, as alleged by Penang Gerakan acting youth chief Jason Loo.
In a recent press conference, Loo said a private firm received an approval to build a 40-storey luxury hotel on the land owned by the state government.
The 2.58ha government land was sold at RM156 million with a 99-year lease through direct negotiations.
Meanwhile in the same press conference, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Maimunah Shariff said the council has received the application for planning permission from the hospital.
She however, said the council does not have any information on the proposed hotel.
"We don't have any information on that," she said.
Earlier, Chow said MBPP is ready to consider awarding permanent licence to 116 illegal hotels, provided they expedite their application to the council.
He said hotel operators who fail to do so, will face enforcement action from the council.