Penang’s Tender Board should be independent and no politicians should sit on it, said Penang Gerakan Treasurer Ng Fook On.

Ng said Gerakan was surprised to learn that Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had appointed himself as chairman of the Board.

“Lim has said before that the state government will be fair and transparent in the award of state projects. We do not know whether he can keep this promise,” said Ng in a statement.

Ng, who was former Batu Lancang assemblyman, said during the previous Barisan Nasional state government, no politicians or state executive councilors sat on the State Tender Board, which was headed by the State Secretary.

Ng also asked the state government to explain why it gave a state executive councillor and his wife a piece of land each in Seberang Prai Utara last year.

“I remember that Lim had issued a directive whereby all administrators and state Exco members are not allowed to make any new land applications.”

Yesterday, at the Penang State Assembly sitting, Jasmin Mohamad (BN – Sungai Dua) said Lim’s move to be appointed as chairman of the Tender Board was unprecedented and never practiced by other state governments.

“This is a strange move by the Chief Minister and he ought to explain why he chooses to be the tender board chairman,” Jasmin said, adding the state government should also explain the reasons for alienating the land to the state Exco member.