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6 theSun | TUESDAY OCTOBER 20 2009

news without borders

Rethink non-interference policy, NGOs tell Asean


by Opalyn Mok
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

GEORGE TOWN: About 30 representa-


human rights, socio-economic underde-
velopment, poverty and hardship.
“That is why the non-interference
principle adopted by Asean states is long
the Asean member governments:
» guarantee the people’s rights to justice
and peace;
Residents stage
»

noisy protest
tives of Muslim non-governmental organi- overdue for a overhaul,” he said. ease the plight of the Rohingyas,
sations (NGOs) from Malaysia, Thailand, He said the conference participants solve the South Thailand unrest and the
Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines and had called Asean governments to engage Bangsamoro struggle through mutual
Cambodia have called on Asean to over- with Myanmar, Thailand and Philippine to consultation;
haul its non-interference policy. instill upon them that the security situ-
Citizens International executive direc- ation within their strife-stricken jurisdic- » work with the United Nations and civil
tor, Mohideen Abdul Kader, said the group, tions impacts upon the security situation society groups to protect the rights of
which met in Bangkok recently to discuss of the region as a whole. people displaced from their homes due by Himanshu Bhatt projects which have not started
the impact and implications of three con- “We must ensure a civil situation,” a to conflict; newsdesk@thesundaily.com on Class III and IV hill slopes.
flict-torn regions in Southeast Asia, also
wants the Asean countries to undertake
human rights education and legal expert,
Dr Vitit Mantraporn said.
» ratify the 1951 Convention Related
GEORGE TOWN: Residents of
According to the new fed-
eral Guidelines for Hillside and
to the Status of Refugees, its 1967 Pro-
new efforts to tackle the conflicts. The conference also issued “The tocol, the 1954 Convention Relating Tanjung Bungah, alarmed by a Highland Areas Development
The conference, titled “Peoples Call Bangkok Declaration” calling on Asean to the Status of Stateless Persons, the spate of hillslope development Planning, development on Class
for Justice and Peace”, focused on the governments to eschew military options 1961 Convention on the Reduction of projects, are bracing for a crucial IV slopes (more than 35 degrees)
military campaigns and their impact on for the resolution of conflict in favour of Statelessness and the 1990 International municipal council hearing on should be banned.
the Rohingyas in Arakan, Myanmar, the peaceful and holistic strategies of dispute Convention for the Protection of the Right Thursday on a new project ear- Development on Class III
Muslims in Yala, Narathiwat, Patani and settlement, socio-economic development of All Migrant Workers and Members of marked on a steep slope. slopes (between 15 and 35
Satun in Thailand, and the Bangsamoro and political empowerment. their families; and About 100 citizens held a degrees that have signs of ero-
in Mindanao, Philippines. The declaration will be submitted to noisy protest on Pearl Hill, sion, land instability or sensitive
He said the conflicts in the three re- the Thai government and all Asean mem- » intensify regional and international overlooking the slope which lies geological conditions) is also
gions have been going on for many years ber governments. cooperation for the implementation of above Solok Tan Jit Seng, during banned.
and had produced serious violation of The declaration also demanded that policies to ensure fairness and justice. a special “Deepavali tea party” The residents also want
on Saturday. the government to rehabilitate
The gathering beat pots and eroded steep slopes that poten-
pans to express their anxiety that tially threaten lives and property
the project was being planned of those living above and below.
even though there were houses It is understood that the MPPP
perched right above, along Jalan has issued a stop-work order
Puncak Bukit Mutiara on the on the project, which includes
hill. plans for 25 units of three-storey
“We do not want a repeti- terrace houses. The project was
tion of any Highland Towers or approved in December 2006.
Bukit Antarabangsa tragedy in Tanjung Bungah assembly-
Tanjung Bungah,” said Pearl man Teh Yee Cheu, said pres-
Hill Townhouse Residents’ As- sure by residents last year had
sociation (PHTRA) chairman made the state government stop
Desmond Leng. any new development project on
Present to lend their support class III and IV slopes, but many
were members of the Tanjung projects approved by the previ-
Bungah Residents Association ous state administration seemed
and families from Solok Tan Jit to be going ahead.
Seng. “We hope the state govern-
The Penang Island Municipal ment thinks twice before pro-
Council (MPPP) hearing on the ceeding for the sake of public
project is scheduled on Thursday interest,” he said.
in light of concerns aired by the
residents.
L e n g

MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN


also called
on the state
to put an im-
mediate and
permanent
stop to all

Residents
hold placards
protesting
against the
hillslope
development.

Complete cruise terminal


early, urges committee
by Bernard Cheah of time to ferry the cruise passen-
newsdesk@thesundaily.com gers from the ships to the pier at
Tanjung City Marina,” Law said at a
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Tour- press conference before welcom-
ism Development Committee has ing some 2,400 visitors from Star
urged the federal government to Cruise, which anchored to allow
fulfil its commitment to complete passengers to do some sight-see-
the ferry and cruise terminal at ing.
Swettenham Pier on time. The RM65 million Swettenham
Committee chairman Danny Pier project was originally sched-
Law Heng Kiang said yesterday it uled to be completed by November
would be good if the project were 2007. It is expected to accom-
to be completed by the end of the modate four medium-sized cruise
year because many cruise liners liners and two passenger ferries.
were expected to call in Penang. Covering some 3,000 sq m of
“The Penang Port Commission built up space, the pier will have a
(PPC) has said that work on the three-storey complex.
pier will be completed by the end PPC chairman Tan Cheng Liang
of this year and hopefully, it will be was reported to have said the
operational by next year,” he said. project is close to completion, with
“We hope that the Queen Mary, some minor problems to be sorted
which will be bringing in about out.
6,000 passengers, can berth at the Law also said there are more
pier when it comes in February.” tourists and cruises stopping by
At present, cruise liners have the state because of George Town’s
to anchor in the Penang Channel Unesco World Heritage site status.
for smaller boats to ferry the pas- “One can see the city’s heritage
sengers to the pier at Tanjung City and multi-cultural diversity in areas
Marina. that are very near and accessible
“It is inconvenient and a waste from the marina,” he said.

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