Garden arch to go 'if unsafe'
TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2010 (NEW STRAITS TIMES)Garden arch to go `if unsafe'
GEORGE TOWN: The controversial arch leading to the entrance of the Penang Botanic Gardens will be demolished if the structure is found to be unsafe.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen yesterday admitted the tilt in the 10m concrete structure, which is being constructed, as reported by the media last week.
She said the ministry gave the contractor a week to come up with a technical report.
"If we find that the arch is dangerous, unsafe and non- compliant, we will instruct the contractor to remove it," she said yesterday.
Earlier, Dr Ng had a closed-door meeting with representatives of non-governmental organisations, including the Friends of Botanic Gardens (FOBC).
The meeting also discussed the RM1.1 million bamboo setum project at the nearby Coronation Camp as well as a RM1 million eco-stream project.
Dr Ng said the ministry also gave a week to FOBC to submit their recommendations on how to add value to the Botanic Gardens.
Dr Ng said the expansion of the Penang Botanic Gardens would have to be completed by November since the project is under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.
About 90 per cent of the project has been completed. FOBC spokesman Dr Liew Kon Wui said their concern was mainly on the environmental aspects.
It was reported that as a precaution the area around the arch had been cordoned off.
The RM7 million project, which started late last year, has been criticised for not being in harmony with the environment.
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