THE CONTROVERSIAL Penang Botanic Gardens arch has now tilted by about 38cm, an increase of 25cm since last month, according to several non-governmental organisations. “I don’t know how the authorities can describe it as a cosmetic defect when it is now tilting from both the major and minor exists [sic],” Penang Heritage Trust member and former consultant engineer Ahmad Chik stated after measuring the tilt with a plumb line on June 16, 2010. Read here and view here for pics of the lead plumb used to measure the tilt and the read further for the technique itself.

PHT spokesperson Loh-Lim Lin Lee said: “The question now is not merely about whether the arches are beautiful or ugly. This is a serious safety issue.” Read here

Malaysian Nature Society Penang branch chairman D Kanda Kumar urged the Tourism Ministry to engage an independent consultant to prove that the arch was safe. “We have heard that a technical report was presented to the ministry but who prepared the report? Is it an independent body or the contractors themselves?”  Read here

DID director Anuar Yahya had earlier on claimed that the foundation and structure of the arches were safe based on checks carried out by consultants. He described the tilt of one of the arches as a “cosmetic defect, and not a structural one.” Read here

Datuk Dr Ong Hong Peng, Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism, stated that the initial DID technical report confirmed that one of the arches was tilting. However, the JKR probe test found the structure to be safe and stable.  In view of the latest concern raised by the NGOs of the further tilt, the ministry has directed the DID Penang to conduct another study to verify the actual condition of the arches. “Besides the consideration on the safety of the arches, public opinion - whether to retain or demolish the arches - is also a key factor to guide our decision making,” said the ministry. Read here and here

Other news

• Second Penang Bridge toll rates same as first bridge: Toll rates for the Second Penang Bridge will be the same as that of the existing Penang Bridge, until the end of the latter's concession agreement. Read here
• Penang declares July 7 public holiday for George Town Heritage Day: July 7 is a public holiday in Penang in view of George Town World Heritage City Day. State Secretary Datuk Zainal Rahim Seman said Thursday the public holiday would be effective from this year. Read here
• IJM wins RM350mil second Penang bridge job: IJM Corp Bhd unit IJM Construction Sdn Bhd has secured a RM349.98mil job from Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) for the construction of the second Penang bridge. Read here
• Flextronics eyes more high-end ops in Penang: Electronic manufacturing services (EMS) giant Flextronics International Ltd is looking to diversify its revenue base by bringing in more high-end operations to its Penang facility. Read here
• Security step-up in Penang: Police have increased surveillance and patrols at places of worship since reports of Penang being the target of terrorists surfaced last week. Read here

For more news on Penang from June 14 to 20, 2010 , please click here

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