PRESS STATEMENT BY THE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION OF THE COVE CONDOMINIUM.
2017 May 19
THE FIGHT AGAINST THE ERECTION OF A 65 STOREY BUILDING ON THE SITE OF THE COPTHORNE HOTEL IN TANJUNG BUNGAH, PENANG
Erecting a 65 storey mixed development of a 250 unit per acre density in a residential area would be preposterous. This was rejected by the MBPP in March 2017 why are we considering an identical application on the same site 6 weeks later?
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The Cove MC and the residents of Tanjung Bungah had earlier complemented and congratulated the councillors of MBPP for having civic conscience, civic conviction and the personal courage to reject the Development Proposals for the re-development of the Copthorne Orchid Hotel in Tanjung Bungah, Penang by:
(i) the demolition of the existing 2o storey hotel building;
(ii) replacing the existing hotel by erecting a 65 storey building on the site comprising 217 units of condominium and a hotel with 420 rooms together with all the other ancillary structures and facilities.
By all accounts the Development Proposals will be a concrete monstrosity which should not have even been considered, and much less, be permitted in an established township and community like Tanjung Bungah.
It was subsequently learnt to the surprise and utter dismay of the Cove Management Corporation (Cove MC) that the State Planning Committee (SPC) had in fact granted its approval for the erection of the building(s) and infrastructure comprised in the Development Proposals without any form of public consultation or engagement whatsoever with the residents of Tanjung Bungah.
After obtaining the approval of the SPC, the Development Proposals were subsequently submitted to MBPP for its approval as required by law. The Cove MC and some resident of Sea-homes presented their objections to the Proposed Development at a hearing before the MBPP.
The rejection of the Development Proposals by MBPP Councillors upon the reasoned objection of the Cove MC in the face of the approval granted by the SPC, encourages the belief that there is hope that the rights, interests and welfare of the people of Penang can and will be heard above the vociferous noise of the machinery of rampant development without regard for the due process of law, the heritage, the environment and the people.
To its dismay but not its surprise, the Cove MC has recently received a new notification following the rejection of the Development Proposals, that the proprietor of the Copthorne Orchid Hotel has re-submitted a revision of the Proposed Developments for the approval of MBPP.
The revised Development Proposals is for all intents and purposes identical to that previously rejected Development Proposals which proposes the erection of a g 65 stories building which include 420 hotel rooms and 217 commercial apartment units together with all the other ancillary infrastructures and facilities.
The appetite for the monstrous development is unabated.
The fight for the Tanjung Bungah Community continues.
In the disastrous event that the new Development Proposals are approved by MBPP, the heart and soul of the Tanjung Bungah and the island of Penang will be destroyed and forever changed. The people of Penang and the residents of Tanjung Bungah in particular, call upon:
(i) the good councillors of MBPP to abide by (i) the doctrine of the supremacy of the law (ii) the principles of good governance and (iii) the need for social justice;
(ii) The SPC to re-consider if the SPC’s existing approval granted for the Development proposal should be revoked as the terms of the approval appear to contradict the CAT principles of good governance.
Yours Sincerely
Tan Sri Dato Gajaraj A/L Munusamy Dhanarajan
For and on behalf of
The Cove Management Committee
PDF copy: https://goo.gl/T8XccM
