PENANG, May 12 — Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng wants his predecessor Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to explain the benefits of the Penang Global City Centre (PGCC) project.

"The state government wants him (Koh) to explain what benefits the project will bring to Penang people and the social ramifications from its implementation," he said.

He was commenting on a statement by former state executive council (exco) member Datuk Teng Hock Nan that it was up to the state government to approve the PGCC or not.

The project by Abad Naluri Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Equine Capital Bhd, was to be developed on the Penang Turf Club site.

The 104-hectare site was bought by Abad Naluri for RM488 million in 2002. The development of the PGCC was expected to reach RM25 billion.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had in September launched the PGCC masterplan, only one of several high-impact projects for the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), planned as a new landmark for Penang.

The PGCC was to have a five-star hotel, Penang Performing Arts Centre, twin towers, retail outlets, housing and commercial areas, and an international meeting and conference centre. — Bernama