Land allocated for house of worship not next to sewerage plant

GEORGE TOWN: The eight hectare site allocated to non-Islamic religions to build their houses of worship is not next to a sewerage plant.
Penang Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng (pix) said it was actually an oxygenation pond by national sewerage treatment company Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd (IWK).
He said the pond was surrounded by three-metre high walls while the land for religious use was set back by 30.5m as per regulations.
He also said the area was densely populated and that there were plans to develop shophouses and residential units there.
"It is not a septic tank," he said in a press conference with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today.
Some religious groups had reportedly expressed their concerns on having the site next to a sewerage treatment facility.
They instead urged that residential units for social use be built instead.
Guan Eng said the land was a practical expression of his administration in upholding freedom of religion as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
"We want to give meaning to freedom of religion," he said.
Earlier, Guan Eng presented RM50,000 to the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) Penang chapter.
He said the money was to be used to promote peace and understanding among the various religions.