Malacca's Venice project postponed indefinitely

Power Corrupts; and ABSOLUTE Power corrupts absolutely!

This has been, and will continue to be, what the citizens should expect, and will get, when they voted in a government, giving them absolute power to govern others; and with such absolute power, the law-makers of the state will make any law, create any rules, impose any regulations and taxes, in accordance with their own wishes, and that of their cadres.

In Malacca, 143 owners of pre-war shophouses and houses situated along Malacca River, stretching from Kampung Hulu to Kampung Pantai and Jalan Hang Jebat, were shell shock to find out that the state government had gazetted their buildings for compulsory acquisition. (Source: StarMetro)

The state had come up with a plan drawn by some businessmen whose sole objective is to seek profits at the expense of all others. If the businessmen desires to develop a project on some other peoples land, the cheapest way is to concoct with the state government and use the power and authority granted to acquire the land using the Land Acquisition Act; that way, the land will be acquired at dirt cheap price without the need to negotiate as the owners would be forced to surrender their properties in the name of public interest.

The business project plan codenamed, "Venice of the East," was to beautify the river at a cost of RM91.2mil to be paid from taxpayers money.

But they could still beautify the rivers without expelling the people from their property. They could repaint the houses, do some aesthetic decorations and cosmetic makeups, clean up the river, plant a lot of trees, construct some walkways and broadwalk, landscaping and lighting up the place, and built some bridges and buy some Gondolas for tourists to ride through the river. But alas, the businessmen will not make money; for they want to acquire lands at a dirt cheap price, do a little dressing and then resell it at 100-times the cost, pay some of these profits to those on the corridor of power, and pocket the rest, leaving the people who have lost their property to be the new breed of destitute animals.

The potential destitute animals who are owners of these buildings along Malacca River learnt about their future predicament from DAP Lim Guan Eng who showed them evidence of a letter dated Jan 17, 2008, issued by the State Land and Mines Department of the intention of the State Government to gazette the buildings for compulsory acquisition.

Resident Yeow Siew Hung, 60, owner of two warehouses, said he was shocked to learn of the plan. "My father began his business 80 years ago. I have continued his legacy. I will be sad."

Another resident Mr Tan asked why the state government did not have a meeting with the owners before making the decision. "It seems like a midnight raid," he said.

Fortunately for these owners, this is election time; and in the run up to election day, the government of yesterday will have listening ears, become exceptionally kind hearted animals for a while, and become great promisors of everything and anything that the people had wished; promises which does not constitute an "offer" and thus can be varied and withdrawn as it was intended to be "invitation to treat" only.

State Housing and Development Committee Chairman Datuk Koh Nai Kwong tells the building owner that they can temporarily ignore the letter from the Land and Mines Department, claiming it is a mistake.

"We will investigate how the letter was leaked," said Koh.

A Mistake? One too many! The government did not deny their intention; they had the mens rea, and the actus reus will be soon, as soon as the election is over. And the authority will be investigating how the letter was leaked, not the mistake itself.

Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam said at a press conference that the proposal will be postponed. Well, it is now election time and postponing the plan is necessary. After the election, the plan will be rushed and bulldozed through the state legislature, and the people will be subdued and annihilated.