Latest news with #Jayabalan
Free Malaysia Today
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Town hall on landfill project sparks row between mayor, ex-PKR rep
In 2020, the state government and Penang Development Corporation signed a deal with PLB Engineering Bhd to develop and rehabilitate the Jelutong landfill at the cost of RM1 billion. GEORGE TOWN : A town hall meeting to hear residents' objections to a controversial landfill project led to a heated exchange between a former PKR assemblyman and Penang Island mayor Rajendran Anthony, who was accused of being protective of the developers. T Jayabalan, a former Batu Uban assemblyman, said the mayor as 'a state functionary' should be 'a little neutral'. 'He's not a policymaker. As a functionary, he should be a little neutral and not be protective of the developers,' Jayabalan told FMT. Rajendran however said he had been left alone to defend the project as those responsible for answering the residents were not responding to queries. The event yesterday morning was attended by Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim and Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, both of whom left midway through the proceedings. Jayabalan praised Rayer, saying he was 'on our (the residents') side for a change because he is Lim Guan Eng's man', a reference to the former chief minister. Temperatures began to rise when a consultant who had prepared the environmental impact assessment report was repeatedly interrupted by a member of the residents' committee. Rajendran intervened to ask that the consultant be allowed to finish his presentation. This led to a heated exchange, with Jayabalan expressing frustration over what he described as Rajendran's emotional response to the residents. 'The way out is not to be condescending,' he said. However, Rajendran disagreed with Jayabalan. '… and I don't agree with you that I have spoken in any way which has offended the people… I don't think so. 'I pointed out what needed to be said as a government servant, and your reaction was also unbecoming,' he said. When contacted by FMT, Rajendran declined to comment on the exchange. However, he said those responsible for answering the residents, such as the state economic planning unit, Penang Development Corporation (PDC), and the contractor PLB Engineering Bhd, were not responding to queries. 'I was left alone to defend the project in the absence of Siew Khim and Rayer, who left early due to prior engagements,' the mayor said. The landfill project entails the rehabilitation and redevelopment of the Jelutong landfill at a cost of RM1 billion under a contract between the state government and PDC with PLB Engineering.
New Indian Express
30-04-2025
- New Indian Express
TN court sentences former excise officer, wife in 2006 disproportionate assets case
TIRUNELVELI: A special court handling cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act on Tuesday sentenced a retired deputy excise officer to eight years of imprisonment and his wife to four years for demanding Rs 25,000 from the MD of a private company in 2006 and amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. G Jayabalan (74), former deputy excise officer of Nanguneri taluk, was convicted in both corruption and disproportionate assets (DA) cases, while his wife J Gomathi Jayam was found guilty in the latter case. Special Judge R Subbiah ordered Jayabalan to undergo the two terms concurrently. According to the prosecution, Jayabalan demanded Rs 25,000 from the managing director of a private firm operating at Thalapathi Samuthiram for revising the firm's tax assessment. Acting on a complaint filed by the MD V Ashok Kumar, the DVAC laid a trap and arrested Jayabalan. Subsequently, searches were conducted at Jayabalan's residence and officers found the couple had amassed assets disproportionate to his known source of income. For this, a separate case was filed against the couple. After a prolonged trial, the court on Tuesday sentenced Jayabalan and also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 in the bribe case. In the DA case, besides the jail term, Jayabalan was penalised Rs 50,000 and Gomathi Rs 10,000. The couple has been lodged in Palayamkottai Central Prison.
