PENANG: Former Chief Minister Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu's initiative in developing Seberang Prai into an economic hub is being pursued by the present state government.

This is in spite of past criticisms that George Town was being ignored.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said that 10 years ago when he talked about developing Seberang Prai as a hub, he was criticised.

“I was under attack for ignoring George Town and that I wanted to move the capital,” he said.

Dr Koh was speaking at a press conference yesterday after launching the 8th Asian Planning Schools Association (APSA) conference jointly orga-nised by Universiti Sains Malaysia and APSA.

He said the state continued developing Seberang Jaya by relocating the state library and main offices of the Immigra-tion, and the Road and Tran-sport Department to the mainland.

Batu Kawan on the mainland was also earmarked as the third township after Bayan Baru and Seberang Jaya, he added.

“George Town will keep certain characteristics,” he said.

Dr Koh said the development of George Town was being continued with the construction of the new marina and international cruise centre.

The chief minister was commenting on views raised by Dr Lim at the Penang Lecture 2005 on Saturday.

Dr Lim had voiced his support for a second bridge to spur the future development of Seberang Prai, the establishment of more educational and medical institutions there, and the creation of a new economic financial hub for the north around Kulim, Parit Buntar and Bukit Minyak.

Dr Koh said it was good that Dr Lim had come out to remind the people of projects the latter had initiated 25 to 30 years ago.

He said Dr Lim had faced challenges while developing Bayan Baru in 1974 and even had to ask Penang Develop-ment Corporation staff to buy property there.

The Penang Bridge was promised in 1969 but was not completed until 1985, Dr Koh said. He said the southern alignment of the second bridge, proposed in 1995, had been agreed upon.

Some 200 participants from over 20 countries took part in the four-day APSA conference themed Cities for People.

Also present were USM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dzulkifli Abdul Razak and APSA president Prof Wu Zhiqiang.