Why did PRM accuse Chow Kon Yeow of misleading the public?

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PRM Accuses Penang Chief Minister of Misleading Public on Foreign Worker Hostel Approval

Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) vice-chairman Ravinder Singh has accused Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow of misleading the public regarding the approval of a foreign workers' hostel in Teluk Kumbar. Singh asserted that the State Planning Committee (SPC), chaired by Chow, approved the rezoning of land for high-rise, high-density development, which subsequently enabled the hostel project. This action, according to PRM, contradicts Chow's statements that the SPC lacks the authority to overturn approvals made by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
State Planning Committee's Role in Land Rezoning

Ravinder Singh detailed that the SPC, under Chow's chairmanship, approved the rezoning of land in Teluk Kumbar to permit high-rise, high-density development. PRM contends that the MBPP cannot grant approval for projects if the land's status is not aligned with the proposed development. Therefore, the rezoning by the SPC was a prerequisite for the MBPP to subsequently approve the foreign worker hostel applications.
Contradiction Regarding SPC and MBPP Authority

Singh highlighted a discrepancy in the Chief Minister's statements concerning the authority of the SPC and MBPP. Chow had reportedly stated that the SPC does not possess the power to cancel planning permission approvals issued by the MBPP. However, PRM argues that projects approved by the SPC, such as the land rezoning for high-density development, cannot be subsequently cancelled by the MBPP, implying a hierarchical influence of the SPC's decisions.
Allegations of Illegal Rezoning Methods

Furthermore, PRM has raised concerns about the legality of the rezoning process itself. Singh alleged that the SPC used "guidelines" to approve the rezoning of the land for high-density, high-rise buildings. He claimed this method is illegal, citing a Federal Court ruling in the Sungai Ara Hill development case which deemed such practices "ultra-vires" the Town and Country Planning Act 1976. PRM also noted that Teluk Kumbar residents were reportedly not consulted before the SPC approved the rezoning.

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Why did PRM accuse Chow Kon Yeow of misleading the public?

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