The decision by the Federal authorities not to help solve

the Kg Buah Pala issue shows that the 1Malaysia concept

might just be nothing more than a bag of empty rhetoric.

The Kg Buah Pala issue is one of the many manifestations

or consequences that came about as a result of a record
of bad governance by the BN.

When Koh was the CM, the component groups under him took
the opportunity to enrich themselves or their friends and
relatives by making all sorts of transactions and business
deals often with state property or the state itself as the
vehicle.

Contracts for this and that especially involving state or

local council properties and buildings were handed out to
certain favoured parties and money changed hands more often
than necessary. State-owned land was sold to groups that
had special ties to the component parties and their reps.

The CM conveniently looked the other way as the various

bigshots who were supposedly tasked with taking care of
the people began to take care of themselves and all their
friends, business associates and relatives instead.

The KOMTAR centre which was once the pride of Penang is

now looking more and more like a ghost centre. When the
KOMTAR centre was still a crowd-puller, it attracted the
unwanted attention of the business tycoons-cum-politicians
known for their appetite for swallowing state properties.

They took control of KOMTAR, started to squeeze the many

merchants and shop-owners with continuously rising rents
and bills and the result of all their shenanigans is now
plainly visible.

State contracts were given by these irresponsible people

to companies within their close circle of acquaintance.
It was like 'you scratch my back and I scratch your back'
form of administration in the state. Land was sold to the
people or individuals who had the right connections even
though it was in very short supply.

Kg Buah Pala was one of the 'victims' of this messy and

very questionable state of affairs. When the PR won the
state, the land was hurriedly sold to a 'private' firm
and today we can see the result.

If the so-called 1Malaysia concept is truly genuine and

really alive, the Federal government should step in and
solve the problem. There is no excuse that the state has
the sole responsibility in this particular matter. Do not
claim that you have never heard of the saying 'It is the
exception that proves the rule'.

The Federal government should step in now and help solve

this very vexing issue. Later on, the authorities could
investigate the whole matter and hold all those responsible
to account. The federal authorities should practise the
principle of 'showing no fear or favour'.

The undulating Kg Buah Pala area is really not suitable

for erecting tall buildings including apartments. It is
actually more suitable for building houses or bungalows.
The nature of the land is not conducive for highrises.
Does the federal authorities want a future Highland Towers
incident in the state ?

The previous CM was just a human statue when he was in

charge. All the other bigshots in the state BN coalition
were unashamedly making hay while the BN sun was shining.
Today he is no longer the CM and the cat is out of the
bag. Kg Buah Pala is not an isolated case. A lot of shady
deals were made including those areas in the south-west
and western parts of the state. An independent body
should be set up to investigate all those shady deals.

The Federal government should step in & clean everything

up. Only in this way can it prove to the people that the
1Malaysia concept is genuine and not mere empty rhetoric.

Otherwise this latest concept would only be remembered in

the same manner as all those others that came before it.
And in the end it will only be consigned to the dustheap
of history. Just mere empty rhetoric and nothing more.

Malaysia is famous for its leaders who know how to harangue

and lambast others but when it comes to the serious matter
of solving local problems, it is the well-loved practice
of passing the buck that comes to the fore.

The state-controlled media and the rising little Napoleons

within the BN should stay away from interfering in the
problems of southern Thailand and stop paying a too close
attention to the local issues there. Pay attention to the
problems here instead. Stop trying to 'solve' problems in
other people's houses. Solve the problems in your house
first ! Why should our politicians neglect our own people
while acting as uninvited meddlers for others.

The people of Kg Buah Pala fully deserves the help of our

politicians. Do not turn them down. Put the squeeze on
those who have created the problems in the first place.

Now is the time to show to the people that the 1Malaysia

concept is no case of empty rhetoric. Not by any means.
Forward with 1Malaysia !!!