Penang Gerakan state assistant secretary Goh Kheng Sneah contends that the release of the chronology pertaining to the Kampung Buah Pala case has only shown that it was a clear cut transaction, self explanatory and absent of any motives of robbery, contrary as to what was alleged by Lim Guan Eng initially.

Goh said, “In fact the crux of this matter is actually not the alleged covert approval of the land deal but more precisely is the promise made by Lim Guan Eng’s DAP to help the residents by saying that they would not need to move out.”

“Based on the chronology of the declassified documents released by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng it is obvious that there is no impropriety or land scam in the transfer of the plot of land by the previous state government to Koperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Pulau Pinang,” he further said.

“Arrangements were on the way in facilitating the relocation of the residents in Kampung Buah Pala until Karpal Singh and Rayer stepped in telling the residents that if they were told to move out it would ‘over their dead body’.”

“It is good that Lim Guan Eng has decided to declassify and release the chronology of events as it goes to show that there is nothing erroneous that needs to be hidden.”

“Based on the declassified documents the whole transaction leading to the transfer of the land is well documented.”

“While it has been alleged by Lim Guan Eng that Dr Koh has not explained why he approved the project it is clearly written down that it was for the purpose of replacing the land belonging to the Koperasi that was taken by the government to construct the court complex. In return the land in Kampung Buah Pala was given,” he added.

He then said, “On the alleged premium, the reasons for the value difference are stated plainly in the declassified chronology. Among the reasons for the reduction in the premium was basically to help the Koperasi whose members consist of civil servants and it was for their benefit that this was done. That was why the land swap was done initially.”

“The premium was also reduced to allow and put the Koperasi and the developer in a better position to deal with the residents. This way the Koperasi and the developer would be able to offer them better compensation and for their convenient relocation.”

“Based on the chronology, it is all too evident that the previous state government had tried its best to come to the best compromise for all the parties. The welfare of the residents was paramount and the Koperasi was also asked to reduce the density of its proposed development,” Goh said.

“The whole transaction had taken 2 to 3 years before it went through and the previous state government had gone all out to help the residents.”

He added, “More importantly based on the chronology, compensation was offered to those affected. 14 families had decided to accept the agreement before Karpal Singh and Rayer promised them otherwise.”

“While the previous state government has admitted many of its shortcomings by accepting the decision of the people who voted them out it cannot still be held accountable for problems faced by the current state government. Such conduct would amount to a voted out government taking all responsibility for the ineptness of the present state administration,” he opined.

“Rather than accusing the former administration of blameworthiness and twisting the facts, some modesty would do much good and be a reminder to the present administration on the need to accept and admit that there are things that they have just not managed to resolve.”