theSun | THURSDAY MARCH 26 2009
news without borders
By-election hot
spots identified
by Humayun Kabir
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
IPOH: The state police have
identified 10 “hot spots” in the
Bukit Gantang parliamentary
constituency that might pose
problems during the by-elec-
tion scheduled for April 7.
Perak deputy CPO SAC 1
Datuk Hadi Ho Abdullah said,
extra police personnel will
be deployed to these areas to
maintain law and order. He
declined to name the areas.
There are 55,562 registered
voters and 136 postal voters
in the constituency. Nomina-
tion for the by-election is on
Sunday.
Hadi said the priority of the
police is to ensure peace and
safety of the voters and resi-
dents in these areas.
He said police will take
action against any person re-
gardless of political affiliation,
who cause political tension or
7
Jeff Ooi’s ‘chief of staff’ position a
School’s
transitional one: Guan Eng
by Himanshu Bhatt port in a Chinese language paper www.visitpenang.gov.my.
character newsdesk@thesundaily.com on Tuesday that Ooi may quit as Bukit Mertajam MP Chong
will remain Lim’s chief of staff. Eng was similarly helping by
GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief According to the report, Ooi heading a state committee on
intact Minister Lim Guan Eng yester- has not seen eye-to-eye on certain Chinese education, he said.
pg 8 day clarified that the position of issues with Lim. Lim also said Penang expects
Jeff Ooi as his chief of staff was a He said Ooi’s ap- to generate a revenue
instigate racial sentiments. “transitional” one. pointment and that of RM7 billion over
He said this after officiat- He said Ooi, who is also Jelu- of Bukit Bendera the next five years
For more, log on
ing the state level police day tong MP, has done a satisfactory MP Liew Chin www.visitpenang.gov.my from tourism.
celebrations at the state police job in the state government and Tong, as advisers He said, how-
headquarters yesterday. described reports that Ooi may on policy matters to ever, more can be
He refuted allegations resign as “speculation”. the chief minister were done to promote the state
that police only give permits Ooi spearheads Penang’s wire- never meant to be permanent. as a tourism destination.
for BN ceramah and not PR less internet connectivity project “They were tasked with assist- “While we focus on our core
ceramah, saying: “There is no and oversees a special task force ing me in formulating policies. strengths like cultural diversity
discrimination when approv- to deal with issues on telecom- Now they are doing other things and heritage, we have to be in-
ing permits. However, they munication towers in the state. as well,” he said after launching novative to make Penang an
are at the discretion of district Lim was commenting on a re- the Penang Tourism website international city,” he said.
OCPDs who have to ensure the
security and safety of the area
is not compromised and there
are no traffic problems during
the ceramah.”
‘High-rise projects will threaten Unesco status’
Hadi said the police are by Opalyn Mok Sim Poey, said the contro- statement. our image in the international
prepared for any eventuality newsdesk@thesundaily.com versial high-rise projects, if He said it is important community will be enormous
during campaigning for the by- allowed to proceed with their for the state to establish the if we lose our world heritage
election. GEORGE TOWN: The Pen- original plans, will threaten principle that no developer site status.
On the allegation that op- ang Heritage Trust (PHT) has the city’s Unesco status ac- should be allowed to pursue It is understood the nomi-
position parties tend to change urged the state government corded on July 7 last year. its short-term interests over nation dossier approved by
their ceramah avenues through to negotiate with developers, “It is possible to negoti- long-term gains of the city as Unesco in granting World Her-
SMS when denied police per- who want to pursue high-rise ate with appeals to national a world heritage site. itage Listing to George Town
mits, Hadi said police will al- projects in the heritage city of pride and corporate social “The Unesco recognition and Malacca, has specified
ways keep track of such moves George Town. responsibility before any legal should be a matter of na- new projects in George Town
and take necessary action. Its president, Dr Choong action is taken,” he said in a tional pride, and damage to be capped at 18 metres.