GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has refuted claims that he is out of touch with concerns raised by the people in Penang.
Chow said he was always on the ground taking part in programmes and engagements with the people.
“Don’t worry, I am always on the ground. If you follow my social media, you will see I go on the ground regularly.
"I am always out and about, especially during the Jelajah Ramadan programmes which take me to all five districts in the state," Chow said during a press conference held at his office in Komtar on Thursday (March 19).
Chow was responding to questions from the press about recent criticism over the land tax hikes and claims that he was not on the ground to address public woes.
Chow said the ongoing Jelajah Ramadan programme has brought him to all five districts in Penang, enabling direct engagement with residents and local communities.
“Surprisingly, during my visits throughout Ramadan the land tax issue was not raised directly to me.
"Not that it does not exist, but perhaps it was not highlighted during those sessions.
"These outreach efforts are not seasonal and my office organises Jelajah programmes throughout the year.
“We will continue to be on the ground as my official team arranges these programmes (Jelajah) every year.
"I think no other leaders can outperform me in terms of visiting districts across the state,” he said.
On claims that the state government’s land tax data is unreliable, Chow described it as a misinterpretation.
“That is their interpretation, which is wrong. Where mistakes occur, they will be rectified and some have been corrected.
"We received over 2,000 land tax-related cases and over 500 have been resolved.
"The rest are undergoing verification before a decision can be made," he said.
