GEORGE TOWN: Gerakan has rebuked Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto for her defence of the Penang government offering an 8ha land located right next to three huge sewage treatment plants for non-Muslim houses of worship.
Its vice-president Datuk A. Kohilan Pillay said it was clear that the location in Ampang Jajar, Seberang Prai, is on a swampy land behind three sewage ponds at the Mak Mandin sewage treatment plant.
“The location is unsuitable and the offer was disrespectful to non-Muslim religious groups.
“She should stop politicising the issue and it is better for DAP to gracefully own up to its mistake and identify a new location in a more sincere manner,” he said yesterday.
Kasthuri had defended the Penang government’s offer to sell the land near a sewage treatment plant for non-Muslim houses of worship, saying there will be ample facilities built there to make it suitable for use.
She also suggested that building churches and temples next to three huge sewage ponds is better than under trees and at shop houses.
Kohilan, who is also coordinator of Batu Kawan parliamentary seat, said it was Kasthuri who refused to accept the hard facts and politicising it with “twisted logic and lame excuses”.
“If Kasthuri is adamant that (Penang Chief Minister) Lim Guan Eng’s proposal was a great offer to the religious groups, she should come and meet me beside the ‘Loji Pembersihan Mak Mandin’ signboard and feel for herself, ” he added.
“I also want to ask state executive councillor Lim Hock Seng, if the natural faeces cleaning reservoir as claimed by him is so suitable and beautiful, then why did Lim Guan Eng cover up the ‘three wonders’ in his maps during the press conference?
“I hope the state will offer a better location for churches and temples on a long-term basis with very cheap lease,” he said.
Kasthuri could not be reached for comments.
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