GEORGE TOWN: If Barisan Nasional retakes Penang in the general election, its state exco members will declare their assets and those of their next of kin, including their wives.
However, BN state chairman Teng Chang Yeow hinted that the declaration may not include backbenchers because members of the administration were more susceptible to “temptation.”
He also promised that BN would explore various ways and means to reduce the exorbitant property prices, which had skyrocketed under the DAP-helmed state government in Penang.
If BN formed the state government, he said it would review and revise various development charges that had leapt by a few folds under Pakatan Rakyat rule.
He blamed the extraordinary surge in development-related charges as the main cause for the inflated hike in property prices.
He suggested that a standard policy should always be in place to impose development charges.
However, for past five years, he said the charges were imposed ad-hoc according to whims and fancies of the state government.
“Developers usually will pass any cost hike to buyers. We will review the housing tax structure and revise these charges to reduce the prices,” Teng told a press conference after launching the state BN manifesto yesterday.
Former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, component parties’ state chiefs, BN election candidates and campaign workers were present.
In his speech earlier, Teng fired a broadside at Pakatan, saying that while BN promised to transform Penang into an engine of growth for the country, Pakatan could only offer a “terowong” (tunnel) for Penangites.
He called on party campaign workers to maintain their discipline at all times and ensure that BN wins in a clean and fair election.
“Don’t be afraid to chant 1Malaysia. Be ready for the battle,” Teng rallied his troops.
