My Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng

LGE - Project with surplus money due to its prudent ways

2012-02-22T04:31:00.001-08:00

February 22, 2012
Smoother traffic flow in Bukit Mertajam come 2014
Star

MOTORISTS can expect a smoother traffic flow once the widening of Jalan Song Ban Kheng in Bukit Mertajam is completed in 2014, said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

“The project costing RM20,4mil will also see the building of bridges and other related infrastructure such as traffic lights. The 2.8km stretch will be widened from two lanes to four lanes.

“The project, which started on Feb 15, is expected to be completed by Feb 14, 2014. This is the biggest road development project undertaken by the state government over the past four years,” he said.

Lim, who was speaking to reporters after the ground breaking ceremony at the junction of Jalan Song Ban Kheng and Jalan Binjai, urged motorists to bear with inconvenience which he hoped would be minimal.

Also present on Sunday were Bukit Mertajam MP Chong Eng, state Public Works, Utilities and Transport Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng, Padang Lalang assemblyman Tan Cheong Heng and Seberang Prai Municipal Council president Maimunah Shariff.

The state government has also allocated RM42mil under the Public Works Department for various road projects this year.

Lim said they had funds to do it as the state had a surplus of money due to its prudent ways.

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February 22, 2012

Market makeover

By JOSEPHINE JALLEH and NADYA NGUI

Star

ONE of the oldest markets in Penang — the Chowrasta Market — will be transformed into an iconic landmark in the state under a proposed major facelift project costing up to RM12mil.

Well-known for its stores selling second-hand books, preserved fruits and other titbits, the run-down three-storey building is set to undergo a major makeover since it was last upgraded in 1961.

Arkitek LLA Sdn Bhd director Ong Jin Cheng said the market would sport a refreshing new look under the project which is expected to cost between RM10mil and RM12mil.

The firm has been engaged by the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) as the project’s architect.

The original Chowrasta Market was built in 1890 by the George Town Municipal Council.

The market faces Penang Road and is flanked by Lebuh Tamil, Jalan Chowrasta and Jalan Kuala Kangsar.

Ong said there were plans for an urban farm on the rooftop where hydroponic plants could be grown.

In the heart of George Town: File photos of the Chowrasta Market viewed from the back (above) and the front facing Penang Road (below)

“We have proposed that an escalator be built for easier access to the upper levels.

“The first floor will also be equipped with amenities for the public,” he said at a press conference in Komtar yesterday.

He said creepers would be grown along the side of the walls of the multi-storey car park at the back portion of the building under the proposed new look.

MPPP secretary Ang Aing Thye said the project was still at the designing stage and the council was getting more feedback from the public.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who was present, said the upgrading of the market would be helmed by heritage architect Laurence Loh from the same firm.

“The traders can continue to operate their business there in a cleaner, greener, safer and healthy environment,” he said.

Lim added that the contractor for the project would be chosen through an open tender.

When contacted, Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik said the project design was almost ready.

“Now we need to know the actual cost for each element of the project,” he said adding that the upgrading works were expected to begin within the next few months.

It was reported in December last year that a multi-storey car park and travelators were among the proposals to rejuvenate the market.

It was proposed that one third of the back portion of the market be demolished to build a five-storey car park with 153 parking bays.

Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman dan MP Kota Belut Datuk Abdul Rahman Harus Undur Diri Dari Politik

2012-02-22T04:21:00.000-08:00

LGE - Press statement on Bayan Mutiara Land

2012-02-22T04:11:00.002-08:00

Press conference Statement By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In Komtar, George Town On 21.2.2012.

Can Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman And Kota Belud MP Datuk Abdul Rahman Immediately Retire From Politics Now That The Penang PR State Government Has Proven Beyond A Shadow Of A Doubt That The Sale Of 102.3 Acres Of Bayan Mutiara Land Was Done By Open Competitive Tender?

There is no doubt that the sale for the 102.3 acres of 102.3 acres Bayan Mutiara Land done through an Request For Proposal that was:

· an open competitive tender

· well published on the websites and newspapers and

· observed by renowned independent Chartered Surveyors and Registered Valuers, Raine & Horne International at briefing sessions held in Penang, KL and Singapore.

The highest price offered during the open competitive tender was chosen.

When the tender was called in 2010, there were 37 parties that bought the tender documents for RM3,000 each. However when the tender closed on Dec 31 2010, only 4 tender proposals were received. They were:

1. Chia Tai Xing Ye Industrial Development Ltd

2. Ivory Properties Group Berhad

3. AG Pearl Sdn Bhd (Disqualified due to non submission of Earnest Deposit of RM1.2 million)

4. SP Setia Berhad

The following cash proposals were received:

Payment Period	3 years	5 years	8 years
Ivory Properties		RM215psf	RM240psf
SP Setia	RM180psf	RM210psf	RM225psf
Chia Tai Xing Ye		RM200psf

As Ivory made the highest offer at RM240psf or a total sum of RM1.072 billion, it was chosen. The state government further requested Ivory to improve on the payment terms of RM240 psf over 8 years payment to RM240 psf over 5 years payment. This was accepted by Ivory.

Can UMNO Penang Chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman and Kota Belud MP Datuk Abdul Rahman Datuk Dahlan immediately retire from politics now that the Penang PR state government has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that the sale of 102.3 acres of Bayan Mutiara land was done by open competitive tender?

LIM GUAN ENG

===========================

Kenyataan Akhbar oleh Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang Lim Guan Eng di Komtar, George Town pada 21.2.2012

Sudikah Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman Dan Ahli Parlimen Kota Belud Datuk Abdul Rahman Bersara Daripada Politik Dengan Serta Merta Memandangkan Kerajaan Negeri PR P.Pinang Telah Membuktikan Tanpa Sebarang Keraguan Bahawa Penjualan Tanah 102.3 Ekar di Bayan Mutiara Telah Dilakukan Dengan Tender Terbuka Yang Berdaya Saing?

Tidak ada sebarang keraguan bahawa penjualan tanah 102.3 ekar di Bayan Mutiara telah dilakukan melalui “Request For Proposal” yang merupakan:

· Tender terbuka yang berdaya saing

· Dipaparkan dengan jelas di laman-laman web dan suratkhabar; dan

· Diperhatikan oleh Juruukur Bertauliah dan Penilai Berdaftar bebas dan terkemuka iaitu Raine & Horne International semasa sesi taklimat yang telah diadakan di Pulau Pinang, KL dan Singapura.

Tawaran yang tertinggi dalam tender terbuka telah dipilih.

Apabila tender dipanggil pada tahun 2010, seramai 37 pihak telah membeli dokumen-dokumen tender pada harga RM3,000 setiap satu. Namun demikian, apabila tender ditutup pada 31 Dis 2010, hanya 4 tawaran tender telah diterima, iaitu daripada:

1. Chia Tai Xing Ye Industrial Development Ltd

2. Ivory Properties Group Berhad

3. AG Pearl Sdn Bhd (hilang kelayakan akibat tidak membayar “earnest deposit” sebanyak RM1.2 juta

4. SP Setia Berhad

Tawaran-tawaran tunai yang diterima:

Tempoh Pembayaran	3 tahun	5 tahun	8 tahun
Ivory Properties		RM215skp	RM240skp
SP Setia	RM180skp	RM210skp	RM225skp
Chia Tai Xing Ye		RM200skp

Oleh kerana Ivory telah memberi tawaran yang paling tinggi iaitu RM240skp atau jumlah besar RM1.072 bilion, mereka telah dipilih. Kemudian, Kerajaan Negeri telah membuat permintaan lanjutan supaya Ivory mengurangkan tempoh bayaran RM240skp daripada 8 tahun kepada 5 tahun. Ini telah diterima oleh Ivory.

Sudikah Ketua UMNO Pulau Pinang Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman dan Ahli Parlimen Kota Belud Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan bersara daripada politik dengan serta merta memandangkan Kerajaan Negeri PR Pulau Pinang telah membuktikan tanpa sebarang keraguan bahawa penjualan tanah 102.3 ekar di Bayan Mutiara telah dilakukan dengan tender terbuka yang berdaya saing?

Lim Guan Eng

========================

槟州首席部长于2012年2月21日在槟城乔治市光大记者会发表的文告

如今民联州政府已经出示证据，证明销售102.3英亩峇央珍珠地段是透过公开竞争的招标，驳斥绘声绘影的质疑后，拿督再纳阿比丁及古打毛律国会议员拿督阿都拉曼是否应该从此隐退政坛？

毫无疑问的，102.3英亩峇央珍珠地段的销售，在透过征求计划书的程序后如下：

· 公开竞争的招标程序

· 于网站及报章获得刊登宣传

· 由受认可的独立估价师机构Raine & Horne国际机构全程观察评估在槟城、吉隆坡及新加坡的汇报会。

最终出最高价献议者在公开招标中获选。

在2010年开始招标之际，共有37家单位购买了每份3000令吉的招标文件。无论如何，截至2010年12月31日的招标截止日，只收到4份招标建议书。他们是：

1. Chia Tai Xing Ye Industrial Development Ltd

2. Ivory Properties Group Berhad（玮力产业集团）

3. AG Pearl Sdn Bhd (Disqualified due to non submission of Earnest Deposit of RM1.2 million)

4. SP Setia Berhad（实达有限公司）

所收到他们的招标价格如下：

Payment Period	3年	5 年	8 年
Ivory Properties玮力		每方尺215令吉	每方尺240令吉
SP Setia实达	每方尺180令吉	每方尺210令吉	每方尺225令吉
Chia Tai Xing Ye		每方尺200令吉

玮力以献议每方尺240令吉，总值10亿7千200万令吉的最高价格中选。之后，州政府要求玮力改进其偿还期，从8年偿还每方尺240令吉改进至5年偿还每方尺240令吉。玮力接受这项要求。

因此，如今民联州政府出示证据，证明销售102.3英亩峇央珍珠地段是透过公开竞争的招标，驳斥绘声绘影的质疑后，槟州巫统主席拿督再纳阿比丁及古打毛律国会议员阿都拉曼是否应该从此隐退政坛？

林冠英

Lim: The Star is out to get me

2012-02-20T02:58:00.001-08:00

G Vinod
February 20, 2012
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com

DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng slammed the MCA owned daily for continuing to discredit him over a statement he did not make.

PETALING JAYA: MCA-owned English daily The Star today admitted that it made a mistake in translating a quote from DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng in the debate with MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek on Saturday.

But Lim said that in the same edition a columnist repeated the same mistake .

He said that this was wilfully done to continue the lies against him.

Lim said that a Star column today titled “All hype but no climax”, written by Baradan Kuppusamy, was another attempt to whitewash Chua’s personal attacks against him.

Yesterday, The Star, in the article “What they said”, reported Lim to have said, “We do not agree the Prime Minister must always be a Malay because we want the people to decide” during the live debate with Chua on Saturday.

The daily clarified its report today but at the same time, carried Baradan’s comment piece on another page which attributed the statement to Lim.

The Penang chief minister later called on the English daily to apologise over Baradan’s column, saying the piece did not adhere to the spirit of “comment is free, but facts are sacred”.

“As the daily is owned by MCA, I respect its right to present a partisan slant on the debate. However, this quote attributed to me is untrue because no reference whatsoever was ever made by me on this issue,” said Lim.

Lim also criticised the columnist for implying that the DAP had requested for another debate next month to repair its image, after its reputation was damaged in the aftermath of the debate.

“This is another lie. Chua and I have communicated over the next debate, to be held in English or Bahasa Malaysia, way before our encounter on Saturday,” said Lim.

On the debate, Lim said the odds were stacked against him as he was given limited time to answer questions posed by the MCA members.

“How can I answer 12 out of 13 questions in three minutes, especially when most of them were stinging attacks against me?

“For this reason, I chose not to answer these questions as the questions should be about policies that Pakatan Rakyat wants to implement for the betterment of Malaysia,” he said.

Guan Eng: Waste of time rebutting Chua's lies

2012-02-19T02:11:00.000-08:00

19 February 2012 17:58

KUALA LUMPUR — Lim Guan Eng dismissed today criticisms that he failed to reply to questions from the floor in yesterday’s debate with political rival Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, saying he does not respond to lies.

The Penang chief minister told reporters in the island that he did not touch on whether the state government had increased local assessment fees; why DAP supported hudud; and if land was allocated to Chinese vernacular schools as the allegations made were untrue.

“Did we increase?” the DAP secretary general asked local Penang reporters. “Chua Soi Lek said we support hudud. We have already said many times we oppose hudud and that is why you don’t have it in Penang. You know and I know.”

“If you want to reply to lies, you will have no time to present your policies,” the Bagan MP said.

The highly anticipated debate saw Lim attacking Dr Chua’s MCA for being unable to stop graft within the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

But the former health minister took DAP to task for being “a slave” to PAS, the Islamic party in the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact.

The debate, themed “Chinese at a Crossroads. Is the 2 Party System Becoming a 2 Race System?” was also screened on Astro in Mandarin with Malay translation provided.

The floor largely backed a stern-looking Dr Chua whose opponent smiled throughout most of the debate despite enduring heavy fire from questions by the audience.

Lim added today that as the debate was organised by MCA, “eight or nine out of the 10 questions” were directed towards him instead of the MCA president.

“You get six minutes of questions but only three minutes to answer. Even Chua Soi Lek agreed there was no time. A debate should not be a forum to spew lies and personal attacks,” he said.

-Themalaysianinsider

Debate DAP Lim Guan Eng VS Chua Soi Lek MCA

2012-02-18T17:44:00.002-08:00

‘Debate’ on abolishing expressway toll to go on

2012-02-17T18:23:00.000-08:00

February 18, 2012
Star

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Pakatan Rakyat Youth is going ahead with its plan to hold a debate between Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop although the latter has not given an answer.

The debate titled ‘Abolishing expressway toll would bankrupt the country’ will take place on Feb 29 at 10pm Dewan Besar Sungai Dua in North Seberang Prai, said event coordinator Syed Mikael Rizal Aidid.

Syed Mikael, who is also Penang PKR Youth secretary, told a press conference yesterday that Lim would speak on the topic if Nor Mohamed did not show up.

LGE - Prove and I retire from politics

2012-02-17T00:38:00.001-08:00

Friday February 17, 2012 MYT 2:54:12 PM
Lim to retire from politics if proven that land sale not done via open tender
Star

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has offered to retire from politics if it can be proven that the Bayan Mutiara land sale was not done via open tender.

He also hurled a challenge to Penang Barisan Nasional chief Zainal Abidin Osman and Kota Belud MP Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan to retreat from politics if they could not prove that the sale of the land was not conducted through open tender.

Lim said that the open tender of the Bayan Mutiara land was advertised in the newspapers in 2010.

"I'm putting everything in for this (his position as Chief Minister of Penang) while it's easier for them to retire from politics.

"One is a MP (Abdul Rahman) while the other (Zainal Abidin) apa pun tak ada (has nothing)," he said in a press conference at his office at Komtar here Friday.

Apologize for wasting RM84mil on self-flattering news, Guan Eng tells Najib

2012-02-13T06:08:00.000-08:00

13 February 2012

KUALA LUMPUR,- Lim Guan Eng today demanded the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) apologise for paying RM84 million to a UK publicity firm to polish the Najib administration’s image through news programmes.

“Datuk Seri Najib Razak should direct his Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to apologise for paying RM84 million to burnish the Najib administration’s image... just as the BBC is apologising for accepting payments in exchange for a positive image for countries with a poor record of democratic practices and corruption,” said the DAP secretary-general in a statement here.

The BCC has pledged to apologise for airing paid-for programmes that were favourable to some countries, including Malaysia.

UK daily The Independent reported yesterday the BBC will apologise to an estimated 74 million people around the world for a news-fixing scandal in which it aired as documentaries programmes that had been paid for in a deal with London-based publicity firm, FBC Media.

According to The Independent, the global apology by BBC is expected to read: “A small number of programmes broadcast on BBC World News between February 2009 and July 2011 broke BBC rules aimed at protecting our editorial integrity.

“These rules ensure that programmes are free, and are seen to be free, from commercial or other outside pressures.”

Making a direct reference to the FBC documentaries, it will say: “In the case of eight other programmes, all of which featured Malaysia, we found that the production company which made the programmes appeared to have a financial relationship with the Malaysian government.

The BBC Trust’s Editorial Standards Committee carried out an investigation into BBC World News in November and uncovered 15 breaches of editorial guidelines.

Eight of the breaches related to FBC programmes made about Malaysia due to an apparent “financial relationship” between the government and FBC Media, the TV production company.

The Independent pointed out that FBC Media made eight pieces for the BBC about Malaysia while failing to declare it was paid £17million (RM84 million) by the Malaysian government for “global strategic communications” that included positive coverage of Malaysia’s controversial palm oil industry.

The apology will be broadcast worldwide on the BBC’s World News channel to an estimated 295 million homes, 1.7 million hotel rooms, 81 cruise ships, 46 airlines and on 35 mobile phone platforms at four different times, staged in order to reach audiences in different time zones, the paper reported.

“This has also been confirmed by PM Najib Razak who last year admitted in a written parliamentary reply that the government had paid RM83.8 million to media consultancy company FBC Media for the duration of three years from 2007 for ‘consultancy services, advice and management of a communication campaign’.

“This was as part of a contract between the Prime Minister’s Office and FBC Media that was signed in 2007 and renewed twice,” added Lim today, who said that news of Malaysia’s involvement in the matter had “embarrassed” the country.

FBC Media and its parent company, FBC Group, went into administration last year — a legal term that allows a company facing bankruptcy to carry on business — following reports it accepted £17million from Putrajaya to burnish the Najib administration’s image on global broadcast networks.

FBC was set up in 1998 by award-winning US journalist Alan Friedman and other prominent media individuals who built a network of blue-chip clients that included the governments of Greece, Italy and Zambia, with contracts to promote tourism in Malaysia, Indonesia and Hungary.

FBC has been exposed to have also doubled up as a publicity firm for the Najib government and was paid millions of pounds to conduct a “global strategic communications campaign”.

But Putrajaya ended its RM96 million contract with FBC, which started in 2009, after it was revealed Malaysian government leaders regularly appeared in paid-for-TV programmes.

The Malaysian Insider has reported of PM Najib contracting a series of public relations strategists, including APCO Worldwide, to polish his personal image and his government’s locally and worldwide.

APCO’s time in Malaysia was marked by controversy after the opposition alleged the public relations firm was linked to Israel.

The most recent hire are members of the team behind former British PM Tony Blair’s “New Labour” campaign, who were reported to have started work to reinvent Najib as a moderate reformist.

-Themalaysianinsider

The Debate With Chua Soi Lek - Not Just Chinese Alone

2012-02-10T21:15:00.000-08:00

The Debate With Chua Soi Lek Is On The Topic “Is the 2-Party System Becoming a 2-Race System” Should See A Contest of Ideas, Ideals And Policies That Benefits Democracy And Also All Malaysians Not Just Chinese Alone.

February 11, 2012

Press Statement by Penang Chief Minister And DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng in Kuala Lumpur on 11.2.2012

The Debate With Chua Soi Lek Is On The Topic “Is the 2-Party System Becoming a 2-Race System” Should See A Contest of Ideas, Ideals And Policies That Benefits Democracy And Also All Malaysians Not Just Chinese Alone.

The debate with MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek organised by MCA’s Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research(INSAP) and Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute(ASLI) is not on topic of “The Malaysian Chinese In The Coming General Elections – Quo Vadis?” but on the topic “Is the 2-Party System Becoming a 2-Race System”.

The topic of the debate “Is the 2-Party System Becoming a 2-Race System” was suggested by the organisers through a letter by ASLI’s CEO Datuk Dr Michael Yeoh on 3 February 2012. I had accepted this topic as this is in line with DAP’s and the Penang state government’s commitment to fight for the rights of all Malaysians just as MCA believes in fighting for only one community. It is wrong for Chua to change the topic on the merits and demerits of a 2-party system or whether it is becoming a 2-race system to one of “Malaysian Chinese-Quo Vadis?”.

MCA is organising the conference on “Malaysian Chinese at Political Crossroads” to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, and several other topics will be explored by various speakers. The organisers had agreed that Chua will I be debating in Mandarin at Berjaya Times Square Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on 5-6pm 18 February 2012 carried live by Astro AEC television station.

I wish to stress that I am willing to debate in English or Bahasa Malaysia at another slot similar to my debate in 1991 with Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat where two debates were held, one in Mandarin and the other in English. I have appointed my Political Secretary and Komtar ADUN YB Ng Weik Aik to finalise debate arrangements and details with MCA as well as DAPSY National Chair Rasah MP YB Anthony Loke to handle the logistics of the debate.

The debate with Chua Soi Lek is on the topic “Is the 2-Party System Becoming a 2-Race System” should see a contest of ideas, ideals and policies that benefits democracy and also all Malaysians not just Chinese alone. DAP offers the ideas, ideals and policies implemented in Penang that can be translated nationally of fostering a sense of belonging, a sense of togetherness and a sense of ownership amongst all Malaysians. Only when when there is respect of political rights, socio-economic justice and respect for each other’s human dignity are we Malaysians regardless whether we are Malay, Chinese, Indian, orang Asli, Iban or Kadazan.

Lim Guan Eng

No tolls if Pakatan captures Putrajaya - BRAVO !! Let's do it together

2012-02-10T21:12:00.000-08:00

Athi Shankar
January 28, 2012

Pakatan Rakyat pledges to be a caring federal government if it comes into power.

GEORGE TOWN: Pakatan Rakyat will abolish toll collections in the North-South highway and on Penang Bridge and it will also hand out RM1,000 annually to senior citizens, if it captures Putrajaya in the next general election.
These pledges, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said Pakatan will never “run away from”. He said people can put their faith in Pakatan’s promises.

“If we capture Putrajaya, we will immediately abolish the North-South Highway toll. “We will also abolish toll collections on Penang Bridge.

“We will not run away from our promises,” Lim told a cheering crowd at a Chinese New Year open house co-hosted by Seri Delima assemblyman RSN Rayer and Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh.

Also present were state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh and Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi Chuan Aun.

Karpal was however, absent due to a prior engagement. Lim said while Pakatan will abolish toll collections on road which were already enjoying huge profits, it will retain concessions in other areas.

Lim, who is Penang Chief Minister, pointed out that PLUS had collected RM24.3. billion in toll collections on the North-South Highway, which was built on a RM6 billion budget.

“Cut-throat” BN government
Lim said given that PLUS had raked in a RM18.3 billion profit, it was now time to abolish it.

He slammed the Barisan Nasional federal government’s plans to increase current toll rates and continue its collections for years to come.

He said the people must be ready for change to stop the ‘cut throat’ toll collections of BN and PLUS.

Lim called on the people to vote for Pakatan if they wanted tolls to be abolished.

“BN said it cannot be done. Yes it cannot be done if it is BN. “But under Pakatan, it can be done,” he promised.

Lim, who is Bagan MP, said Pakatan would also give RM1,000 cash yearly to all senior citizens, regardless of their race, religion or political backgrounds.

He said Pakatan would not discriminate against senior citizens, even if they were from Gerakan or MCA.

“We will even hand out the cash to Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon if he wants it too,” Lim said.

He also said that Penang aims to be the cleanest, greenest and safest state in the country and his government would work hard to achieve the goals.

Please spread the good news.

LGE - Seeking support for third link

2012-02-09T21:27:00.000-08:00

February 10, 2012
Seeking support for mega project
Star

CHIEF Minister Lim Guan Eng has reached out to the people to support his proposed 6.5km undersea third link tunnel linking Bagan Ajam in Butterworth with Gurney Drive on the island.

He said residents in Seberang Prai and George Town would be able to reap benefits from the proposed mega infrastructure project mooted by the state government.

“The people in Seberang Prai should support the undersea project as it will bring development to their neighbourhood,” he said when attending a Chinese New Year open house celebration, hosted by Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy at the Chai Leng Park multi-purpose hall in Prai.

On Nov 15, Lim unveiled a proposal to build three bypass highways and an undersea tunnel costing around RM8bil.

He had said that the bypass highways would connect Gurney Drive to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, Bandar Baru Air Itam as well as the existing coastal road between Tanjung Bungah and Teluk Bahang via a paired road.

He had also said that the project cost incurred would be recovered via “competitive land swap deals” with prospective companies that would be appointed via open tender.

Lim said Penang’s RM35bil investments in the state over the last four years had brought about development to the state, including in Seberang Prai, where many multinational companies were located.

DAP members ban from attending Perkasa functions

2012-02-06T07:27:00.000-08:00

Unlike MCA, DAP Will Not Permit But Will Take Disciplinary Action Against Any DAP Member Caught Attending Perkasa Functions.
Published on February 6, 2012, 12:08 pm

Unlike MCA, DAP will not permit any member to attend Perkasa functions but will take disciplinary action against any DAP member caught doing so. For any Malaysian to attend Perkasa functions not only lends legitimacy to Perkasa’s objectives of reducing non-Malays to 2nd or 3rd class citizens, but also that UMNO’s racial dominance is more important than the critical issues of human rights, corruption and abuse of power.

I will not stoop to the level of MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, who has launched personal attacks against me just to avoid answering the question why MCA will not ban but still permit its members and supporters to attend Perkasa’s functions. Today MCA Deputy President Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said in The Star that MCA is still studying the agenda of members attending Perkasa’s functions.

This is an admission by Liow of links between MCA members and Perkasa. DAP calls on Chua Soi Lek to reverse this irrational and irresponsible decision and instead follow DAP’s example of banning MCA members and supporters from attending Perkasa’s events. Is MCA willing to take a bold and uncompromising stand opposing all forms of racism and extremism even though Perkasa is openly supported by UMNO?

Chua should also stop his defence of Perkasa distributing “white pows” packets was not done on purpose.(New Straits Times 4 February 2012) Chua’s claim that Perkasa did not distribute “white pows” on purpose was disputed by former Sri Desa MCA branch chairperson Dr Collin Tiew. Dr Colin Tiew said that he did tell Ibrahim that “white pows” is not suitable but Ibrahim did not bother. Chua should stop being apologists for Perkasa’s claim that they did not distribute the “white pows” on purpose, as this serves to help Perkasa deceive not only oneself but others too.

At every Chinese New Year event attended by me, people have not only expressed their anger at Perkasa’s ‘white pows’ act of deliberately trampling rudely over the sensitivities of the Chinese community. However there is also disappointment at Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib’s refusal to condemn Perkasa and Najib’s light dismissal of this gross insult as a “social experience”.

Is the Prime Minister’s refusal to condemn Perkasa caused by BN also distributing “white pows” during the BN Chinese New Year event in Seri Setia, Selangor. MCA Kelana Jaya division chief Ong Chong Swen had not denied that white envelopes with BN logos were distributed during the BN Chinese New Year event. If that is the case, then BN should immediately apologise to the Chinese community and stop such wrong practices.

In contrast, PAS has displayed openness in respecting the Chinese community by distributing not only ang pow, mandarin oranges and Chinese New Year cards to market traders but also to a pork seller, with his pork openly displayed. Has any UMNO leader done what PAS leaders have done?

MCA and Chua Soi Lek should ban MCA members from attending Perkasa’s functions to send a clear and unequivocal message to Perkasa that right-thinking Malaysians, including the entire non-Malay community, will have nothing to do with a racist and extremist organization.

Lim Guan Eng

Guan Eng to Gerakan Teng : You are a sore loser

2012-02-06T07:22:00.000-08:00

Chinese media has reported that Gerakan Penang Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan has labelled Penangites 'have no knowledge' by choosing Pakatan Rakyat Lim Guan Eng. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has hit back at Teng calling him a 'sore loser'. Lim challenged Teng to scold him instead of scolding the 1.5 million Penangites for the choice they made in the last election.

DAP Strongly Condemns The Pig’s Head Found At A Mosque

2012-02-01T00:20:00.000-08:00

Press Statement by DAP Secretary-General and Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng in Kuala Lumpur on 1.2.2012

DAP Strongly Condemns The Pig’s Head Found At A Mosque In Rawang As An Insensitive Act Of Cowardice And Provocation Designed To Stoke Racial And Religious Sentiments Ahead Of The General Election

The pig’s head found at the entrance of the Nurul Iman Mosque at Batu 18, Rawang, Selangor is an insensitive act of cowardice and provocation designed to stoke racial and religious sentiments ahead of the upcoming General Election.

The DAP strongly condemns this incident as there is no room in Malaysia for such indiscriminate and disgusting acts that go against the peace-loving and multi-cultural nature of our people.

We urge Malaysians to remain calm and not to overreact as this incident was clearly the doing of certain quarters with despicable intentions. However, the perpetrators will fail to achieve their evil goals because Malaysians have learnt not only to live with but to celebrate the cultural and religious differences in our society. We will not let decades of peace be undone by the cowardly actions of extremists and bigots.

We also call upon all parties to unite in condemning the desecration and defilement of any place of religious worship, be it a mosque or a church or a temple, and hope that the Government will immediately get to the bottom of this.

Lim Guan Eng

CM: State tackling housing and traffic woes

2012-01-27T02:25:00.000-08:00

January 27, 2012
Star

GEORGE TOWN: The state government will not run away from problems faced by the people such as the issues of affordable housing, traffic congestion and civil services, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said.

He said the state had allocated RM500mil to ensure affordable homes were made available to Penangites.

“To deal with traffic congestion, we have open tenders on a proposal to construct three bypass highways and a sea tunnel costing around RM8bil,” he said in his speech at the DAP Chinese New Year open house at Penang Chinese Town Hall on Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling yesterday.

On Nov 15, it was reported that the proposed traffic alleviation projects are a 6.5km sea tunnel connecting Gurney Drive to the northern side of Butterworth, a 4.2km road from Gurney Drive to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypassing the city centre, a 4.6km road linking Bandar Baru Air Itam to the same expressway and a 12km dual carriage road from Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang to pair with the existing coastal road.

2012 Chinese New Year Message (National)

2012-01-23T07:02:00.000-08:00

Published on January 22, 2012,

DAP 2012 Chinese New Year Message By DAP Secretary-General And MP For Bagan Lim Guan Eng On 22.1.2012 In Kuala Lumpur.

Only Economic Policies That Are Clean, Fair, Competitive And Improves The Well-being Of The People As Well As Attract Back Talented Malaysians Can Help Transform Malaysia Into A High-Income Nation Enjoyed By All.

The time has come to implement economic policies that are clean, fair, competitive and improves the well-being of the people as well as attract back talented Malaysians that can help transform Malaysia into a high-income nation enjoyed by all. What better time than the year of the water dragon to initiate such changes so that the coming general elections marks the new beginning that would be enjoyed by all Malaysians rich and poor by 2020.

Present policies which are corrupt, opaque with no open tenders and benefits only certain cronies would only bring Malaysia backwards. A good comparison is South Korea. In 1970, Malaysia’s Gross National Income(GNI) per capita was USD 380 as compared to South Korea USD 260. But 40 years later in 2010, Malaysia’s GNI per capita was at USD 7,760
while South Korea had exceeded us by almost 3 times at USD19,890 (World Bank)

Malaysia’s failure to compete is compounded by the horde of Malaysians leaving. Even the BN government concedes that 2 million Malaysians have left the country since Merdeka in 1957. Countless Malaysians have PR in foreign countries including present Ministers and former Ministers. No one blames the 2 million Malaysians for leaving when the present policies stresses more on politics of division and hate than results-oriented performance drive our best and brightest away.

A recent example is the unfair, harsh and humiliating treatment of temporary Chinese primary school teachers by reducing their benefits arbitrarily without any consultation. How much will it cost the Federal government to continue maintaining existing benefits or even increasing them to temporary teachers? I doubt that such costs will exceed the RM250 million National Feedlot Corporation scandal where money meant for rearing cows is used instead to purchase luxury condos.

Why allow the few cronies to earn extraordinary profits at the expense of 28 million Malaysians. For instance, it took RM 6 billion to build the North-South Highway. But the toll operators have collected RM 24.3 billion as at 31.12.2010 and yet can continue to collect toll till end 2038 and increase toll every year! As the toll operators have already made RM18.3 billion in profits, there is no reason why toll can not be abolished.

Even more talented Malaysians will leave if BN continues to blame the Chinese and minorities for the federal government’s failed policies or use the Chinese threat to frighten the Malays. How can the Chinese be a threat to Malays when critical economic sectors such as banking, insurance, ports, highway toll concessions and infrastructure, transport, automotive industry, IPPs, sugar, rice, flour, plantation products, oil and gas are dominated by Malays?

We must grow up believing in our abilities, trusting each other and have faith that Malays and non-Malays can be world champions. Malays and non-Malay kids must grow up respecting each other as Malaysians and hating only corruption. 2000-9 is the lost decade of corruption where RM1,077 billion of “black money” was illicitly and secretly taken out of Malaysian.

Enough is enough! Let us implement policies that will stop corruption, wipe out poverty, attract back Malaysian talents so that Malaysia can be a high-income nation enjoyed by everyone regardless of race, religion or gender.

Let us welcome the Year of the Dragon by implementing policies that are clean, fair, competitive and improves our standard of living.
Happy Chinese New Year!

Guan Eng: I will not apologise

2012-01-21T23:29:00.000-08:00

January 22, 2012
By CHRISTOPHER TAN
Star

GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he will not apologise for describing the Tang Hak Ju land deal as a scandal or land scam.

“If Penang Barisan Nasional working committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan is not happy, he can sue me or the state government but we will not apologise,” he said.

“Teng has said the state government did not lose RM40mil but RM500,000 following the Court of Appeal’s decision which ruled in the state government’s favour.

“But please remember, the court’s decision is not final because there is an appeal to the Federal Court,” Lim said to reporters after opening the newly upgraded Pulau Tikus market yesterday.

He claimed the previous Barisan state government caused the scandal which caused losses to Penang.

Lim said the state had deposited about RM15mil with the High Court over the case.

“Can we get back the RM15mil? If we cannot, is Teng going to pay?

On Feb 19, 2009, the High Court ordered the state government to deposit RM14,678,135 with the court.

In 2001, Tang had leased a piece of land in Seberang Prai from the state government which was later found to be privately owned.

On Oct 4, 2005, a High Court decided in favour of Tang, who had sued the Penang Chief Minister, state secretary and state financial officer over a 4.3ha land deal.

Tang was awarded RM29.3mil in damages. With interest, the sum is now over RM40mil.

“It is still a scandal. The only question is whether the state has to pay RM40mil or RM500,000. We do not know the final outcome,” Lim said.

It was reported yesterday that Teng demanded that the Penang Government apologise to the people and withdraw terms such as “land scam” and “scandal” in reference to the Tang Hak Ju land deal as they have criminal connotations.

Teng said the present state government led by Lim should do so following the overturning of the High Court’s ruling by the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya.

On Jan 11, the Court of Appeal set aside a High Court ruling which ordered the state government to pay Tang RM40mil, including interests and instead ordered the state to pay the plaintiff RM500,000 for incidental expenses.

Guan Eng: Stop bullying the Chinese and stop frightening the Malays

2012-01-21T23:20:00.000-08:00

22 January 2012 13:15
Written by Lim Guan Eng
Malaysia Chronicle

The time has come to implement economic policies that are clean, fair, competitive and improves the well-being of the people as well as attract back talented Malaysians that can help transform Malaysia into a high-income nation enjoyed by all. What better time than the year of the water dragon to initiate such changes so that the coming general elections marks the new beginning that would be enjoyed by all Malaysians rich and poor by 2020.

Present policies which are corrupt, opaque with no open tenders and benefits only certain cronies would only bring Malaysia backwards. A good comparison is South Korea. In 1970, Malaysia’s Gross National Income(GNI) per capita was USD 380 as compared to South Korea USD 260. But 40 years later in 2010, Malaysia’s GNI per capita was at USD 7,760 while South Korea had exceeded us by almost 3 times at USD19,890 (World Bank)

Malaysia’s failure to compete is compounded by the horde of Malaysians leaving. Even the BN government concedes that 2 million Malaysians have left the country since Merdeka in 1957. Countless Malaysians have PR in foreign countries including present Ministers and former Ministers. No one blames the 2 million Malaysians for leaving when the present policies stresses more on politics of division and hate than results-oriented performance drive our best and brightest away.

A recent example is the unfair, harsh and humiliating treatment of temporary Chinese primary school teachers by reducing their benefits arbitrarily without any consultation. How much will it cost the Federal government to continue maintaining existing benefits or even increasing them to temporary teachers? I doubt that such costs will exceed the RM250 million National Feedlot Corporation scandal where money meant for rearing cows is used instead to purchase luxury condos.

Why allow the few cronies to earn extraordinary profits at the expense of 28 million Malaysians. For instance, it took RM 6 billion to build the North-South Highway. But the toll operators have collected RM 24.3 billion as at 31.12.2010 and yet can continue to collect toll till end 2038 and increase toll every year! As the toll operators have already made RM18.3 billion in profits, there is no reason why toll can not be abolished.

Even more talented Malaysians will leave if BN continues to blame the Chinese and minorities for the federal government’s failed policies or use the Chinese threat to frighten the Malays. How can the Chinese be a threat to Malays when critical economic sectors such as banking, insurance, ports, highway toll concessions and infrastructure, transport, automotive industry, IPPs, sugar, rice, flour, plantation products, oil and gas are dominated by Malays?

We must grow up believing in our abilities, trusting each other and have faith that Malays and non-Malays can be world champions. Malays and non-Malay kids must grow up respecting each other as Malaysians and hating only corruption. 2000-9 is the lost decade of corruption where RM1,077 billion of “black money” was illicitly and secretly taken out of Malaysia.

Enough is enough! Let us implement policies that will stop corruption, wipe out poverty, attract back Malaysian talents so that Malaysia can be a high-income nation enjoyed by everyone regardless of race, religion or gender.

Let us welcome the Year of the Dragon by implementing policies that are clean, fair, competitive and improves our standard of living. Happy Chinese New Year!

Lim Guan Eng is the DAP secretary-general and the Penang Chief Minister

Project to widen highway bottleneck starts this month

2012-01-21T23:17:00.000-08:00

January 21, 2012
Star

THE Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway in Penang is finally set to have three lanes on both sides of its entire stretch.

A bottleneck near the Batu Uban marine police base which reduces the three lanes (on each side) to two is undergoing a road-widening project that began this month.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the RM3.7mil project was undertaken as a corporate social responsibility initiative by IJM Corporation Berhad.

“This expansion and upgrade essentially resolves a 10-year-old problem of a 2km traffic jam caused by the road narrowing from three to two lanes.

“By widening a 400m stretch on each bound, the state hopes to reduce this traffic congestion problem that has haunted motorists, especially the industrialists and workers at (the Free Industrial Zone in) Bayan Lepas,” he said.
Tight squeeze: A traffic jam caused by a bottleneck on the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway

He was speaking during a symbolic ground breaking of the project yesterday.

Lim added that the project was announced in August last year, but plans at that time included only the widening of one side of the road which was not satisfactory to the state.

“We felt both sides should have three lanes each and went back to the drawing board.”

IJM Land general manager (northern region) Toh Chin Leong said the upgraded project would also include the rebuilding of an overhead pedestrian bridge along the 400m stretch and the building of a U-turn at Persimpangan Bertingkat Gelugor.

“The existing pedestrian bridge will be demolished and a new one with a higher clearance of 5.4m will be built.”

On the new U-turn, he said a new acceleration/deceleration lane would be built to ensure road users could make the turn safely.

“With this U-turn, motorists from George Town who are heading in the direction of Bayan Lepas will no longer need to drive all the way to the Bayan Mutiara Interchange or use the narrow Jalan Hajjah Rehmah in Jelutong.

“This will save motorists about 3.5km each way if they are headed to places like Tesco, E-Gate and Green Lane,” he said.

Toh said preparation works had already begun on the project and construction would kick into high gear after the Chinese New Year, adding that the whole project was targeted for completion by Sept 1.

Free Industrial Zone Penang Companies’ Association (Frepenca) president Horst Rosenmueller, who was also present, lauded the project, saying that it would benefit thousands of people working in Bayan Lepas.

“There are many workers travelling daily from the island to the mainland and back so it’s very important to open up this bottleneck.

“I am happy because it (the traffic congestion) was a pain for our employees in the FIZ who are stuck in jams every morning and evening,” he said.

Guan Eng takes up the cudgels for rape victim: Why give the accused 6-yr delay?

2012-01-19T03:06:00.000-08:00

By Lim Guan Eng

The Royal Malaysia Police should explain why it did not contact the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) to apprehend the fugitive suspect in the brutal rape and murder case of Chee Gaip Yap, 25, who was found murdered in Sungai Petani in January 2006, but instead took six years to bring him to justice.

The case of Chee Gaip Yap in 2006 was one of several brutal sexual assaults against women that highlighted the failure of the Police to reduce crime in Malaysia.

It is reported that the suspect was placed on police bail in 2006, but absconded and fled to Australia before DNA tests, which confirmed his link to material found on the victim, were completed. The suspect was finally apprehended at KL International Airport upon his return from Perth on Tuesday night.

Could have extradited the accused but did not, why?

While we are all grateful that the fugitive suspect has now eventually been apprehended by the Police, this six-year delay in the apprehension of the suspect has naturally caused increased suffering to the victim's family and friends, and may even make the prosecution of the case more difficult.

The Royal Malaysia Police should explain why they waited so long for the suspect to return voluntarily to Malaysia, and why they have not previously pursued the extradition of the suspect to Malaysia through INTERPOL under the provisions of the Australia-Malaysia Extradition Treaty.

Lim Guan Eng is the DAP secretary-general and Penang Chief Minister

Guan Eng calls Soi Lek's bluff

2012-01-18T23:07:00.000-08:00

19 January 2012 00:25
Guan Eng calls Soi Lek's bluff: Tell me where you are contesting and I'll be there!
Written by David Anandarajoo, Wong Choon Mei,
Malaysia Chronicle

In a challenge that may make Chua Soi Lek go wobbly at the knees, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has demanded that he announce where he will be contesting in the 13th general election so that the DAP secretary-general himself can take on the MCA president.

"Will Chua Soi Lek dare to announce which seat he is contesting, then let me go to that constitutency and repeat Liow’s remarks that we are confident of defeating Chua then see how Chua will respond?" Guan Eng said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

The DAP leaderl was responding to a cross-fire between his party and the MCA, which began with a boast by MCA deputy president Liow Tiong Lai that the BN component party could “unseat any DAP candidate in Bagan”, the constituency now being held by Lim.

"Unlike MCA, DAP has not engaged in political games by boasting we will win or beat Liow in Bentong or Ng Yen Yen in Raub. Only MCA is making all these boasts. We therefore hope that Chua Soi Lek will stop deceiving the public on this matter," said Guan Eng.

MCA has lost the ear of the Chinese

Guan Eng is able to throw down the gauntlet with style. His DAP party is riding high and expected to help the Pakatan Rakyat opposition sweep the Chinese-dominated seats in GE-13.

By contrast, Soi Lek's MCA is regarded as the 'sick old man' of the BN, and may even be wiped out in GE-13 - a fate not dissimilar to the SUPP's in the recent Sarawak state elections.

Malaysians of all races are becoming increasingly frustrated at the BN's corrupt and government-knows-best politics.

In the 2008 election, they gave the Pakatan coalition led by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim control of 5 of the country's 13 states, and are expected to further endorse the PKR-PAS-DAP combine in GE-13, which must be held by April 2013.

All eyes on Soi Lek

All eyes are now on how Soi Lek will respond to the challenge.

Already reviled for a sex scandal, Soi Lek faces further loss of 'face' and standing for himself and his party, with most pundits already saying that he may not even be able to announce any constituency to contest in if Prime Minister Najib Razak has his way and fielded only 'winnable' candidates.

A former Health minister, Soi Lek gave up his Labis parliamentary seat to his son Tee Yong. He has signaled that he wants a new seat for himself and is likely to ask Najib for a safe Umno seat, where he can rely on Malay support to win, having lost the confidence of his own community.

Umno-linked Malay rights group Perkasa has however vowed to ask the Malay electorate to not to vote for MCA, although founder Ibrahim Ali is unlikely to be able to influence his own community by much either despite the fiery sabre rattling that epitomizes BN politics.

MCA full of deception

Guan Eng also said that Chua is guilty of beguiling the public with deception when he alleged that the DAP and its partners in the Pakatan Rakyat had mismanaged the island state’s finances that resulted in so called budget deficits.

“Penang has no budget deficits but had recorded budget surpluses every year for the four years we are in power, certified by the Auditor-General Report. This is typical of MCA’s deceptive politics where black becomes white and white become black," Guan Eng added for good measure.

He added that Penang remains the only state throughout the country that has been praised by the world graft watchdog Transparency International for enforcing an open tender system to fight corruption.

Malaysia Chronicle

On Abolishing Tol - LGE challenged Nor Md

2012-01-18T03:30:00.000-08:00

Malaysia Will Go Bankrupt By 2019?

2012-01-18T02:29:00.000-08:00

As a matter of facts and from the budget 2012, everyone who are money wise will be able to see that there is no high income capital but very high expenditure/expense.

Spending Rakyat's money just like drinking water for ther own benefit. It is very clear cut. You can definitely re-call and see for yourself whereby no one can dely except themselves.

Consider properly and give your votes to the Right Party Concern For Our Future Generation Regardless of Race and Religion.
We want Genuine and Trusted People to Head The Future Generation.

Thus what is predicted below is and will not be a surprise and as they have better inner knowledge and hearts of the rakyats.

Read this before but a reminder of the grim future of this country under present rule....
Massively throwing around rakyat's money now to buy votes via various fruitless dubious 1schemes, at the expense of our future generations....
Malaysia bankrupt .... Malaysian maids en-route to India , Indonesia and China , sooner than we think !

Confirmation By Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) That Malaysia Will Go Bankrupt By 2019
Press Statement Lim Guan Eng on 11 Jan 2012

Malaysia will become a fully indebted nation before the end of the decade at the current rate of massive borrowing and irresponsible spending by the BN Government.

The Federal government debt to GDP (Gross Domestic Product) ratio has increased yearly from 53.1% in 2010, 53.8% in 2011 and 54.8% in 2012. This is extremely alarming and nearly touching the national debt ceiling of 55%.

According to Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) fellow Mohd Ariff Abdul Kareem, if the Federal Government continues to borrow at the current rate, our debt to GDP ratio will be 100% of GDP by 2019!

In absolute terms, Federal Government debt rose by 71% in 4 years to RM456 billion at end 2011 from RM266 billion at end 2007. At the same rate of expansion, our national debt will be RM780 billion by 2016, and RM1.3 trillion by 2020.

Mohd Ariff also noted that what is more worrying is that our rate of borrowing is far outpacing our economic growth, so much so that he was quoted as saying, “If nothing is done to reverse the current trends in government expenditures and revenues, extrapolation suggests that Malaysia’s national debt will explode to 100 per cent of GDP by 2019.”

This is extremely dangerous, and even more disastrous when coupled with statistics from Bank Negara’s Annual Report 2010, which revealed that Malaysia’s household debt at the end of 2010 was RM 581 billion or 76% of GDP, thus giving us the dubious honour of having the second-highest level of household debt in Asia, after South Korea. In addition, the Malaysian household debt service ratio stood at 47.8 per cent in 2010, meaning that nearly half of the average family’s income goes to repaying debts.

Not only are Malaysians debt-laden, cost of goods are also skyrocketing while income and salaries have stagnated. While infant milk powder has risen by nearly 50% in recent times, other basic commodities have also gone up by leaps and bounds, such as:

1. Sugar: RM1.45/kg (Jan 2010) to RM2.30 (May 2011) – 58% in 18 months.
2. Eggs: B grade RM9/30eggs (sept 2010) RM10/30eggs (now).
3. Electricity tariff: average increase of 7.12% in June 2011.
4. The tarik and kopi susu: increase RM0.10 to RM0.20 (9.1% to 18.2%.
5. Gardenia bread: 5%-14% hike (2011).
6. Service tax increase 1%: additional RM720 million in taxes to Federal Government.
7. Onions: price up 17% (Dec 2010).
8. Milo: up 5% 1st half 2011; 4% 2nd half 2011.
9. Nescafe: price went up further 6% in 2nd half 2011, when price is already RM20 per 300gm
10. Favorite food items like roti canai, char koay teow and nasi kandar have become smaller even portions at the same price.

In contrast, Pakatan Rakyat-managed states have successfully managed their finances and not overburdened the people with debts. In fact, Penang managed to reduce state debt from RM630 million at 8 March 2008 to only RM30 million as at end of October 2011. This represents a debt reduction of 95% or RM600 million, which is the highest debt reduction of any state in Malaysia’s history!

Clearly, Malaysians who wish to have a better life for themselves and their future generations must make a choice between a government that is spendthrift and that borrows irresponsibly without being able to make the pie grow bigger, or a government that is prudent and transparent that will put the concerns of the rakyat first.

Confirmation By Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) That Malaysia Will Go Bankrupt By 2019 With Debt To GDP Ratio Of 100% Demonstrates The Importance Of Change Of Government At The Next General Elections For PR To Save Malaysia From Bankruptcy.

Penang to go ahead with issuing gazette notification over local govt elections

2012-01-18T02:26:00.000-08:00

Wednesday January 18, 2012 MYT 5:39:25 PM
Star

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Government will go ahead with issuing a gazette notification exempting local authorities in the state from Section 15 of the Local Government Act 1976.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state had instructed the state legal advisor to issue the gazette notification exempting local authorities in Penang from Section 15, which "nullified all local government elections".

"This is a precursor to seeking a court declaration to compel the Election Commission (EC) to conduct local government elections," he said in a press statement Wednesday.

Section 15 of the Act states: "Not withstanding anything to the contrary contained in any written law, all provisions relating to local government elections shall cease to have force or effect."

On Tuesday, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung had advised Lim to discuss first with the National Council for Local Government (MNKT) before attempting to hold local elections in Penang.

In reply, Lim said Penang Government had attempted to consult with the MNKT on the issue of restoring local government elections.

"On July 14, 2009, state Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow wrote to the Housing and Local Government Ministry, as the secretariat to the MNKT, on this matter, but was informed on Aug 3, 2009 that the Federal Government had no plans to reinstate local government elections.

"On Aug 11, 2009, the Penang State Assembly passed a resolution calling upon the Federal authorities to take action to reinstate local government elections. Chow again wrote to the ministry on Aug 24, 2009, communicating the resolution of the state assembly and asking for the matter to be tabled and discussed at the 62nd meeting of the MNKT.

"However, by its letter dated Sept 14, 2009, the ministry again refused to list the topic for discussion," he said.

He added that a three-man legal panel, comprising Penang's independent legal panel head Datuk Yeo Yang Poh, lawyers Tommy Thomas and Malik Imtiaz, was retained by the state government and they advised that the reintroduction of local government elections was within the powers of the state, in accordance with the Local Government Elections Act 1960, which was revised in 1991.

"On March 4, 2010, I wrote to the EC asking it to conduct local government elections to the Penang Municipal Council and Seberang Prai Municipal Council, but the commission also refused.

"On March 12, 2010, I also wrote to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak offering to meet him to discuss the state's position but again received no response," he said.