He said that the new government would depend on "the people", rather than "a power". Under the new administration, the people also don't need to do their work depending on the mood of other people.
DAP Initially Uneasy Over Perak MBDAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng admitted that the party had strong reservation over the appointment of Perak Menteri Besar. However, he said that these sentiments appeared only at the initial stage. Subsequently, the DAP accepted Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin of PAS who was appointed by Sultan Perak as the new Menteri Besar.He said that DAP won the most seats, but they failed to appoint their own member as the MB because of restrictions arising from the State's Constitution.. DAP and PAS later reached a consensus on the form of cooperation, of which one of the requirements is PAS will not implement the Hudud. This paved the way for cooperation between the three opposition parties, including PKR.He hoped that the people would accept this new Front, which won the five states in Peninsular Malaysia.Regarding the respective governments of Penang, Perak and Selangor, Lim said the Chinese has always been the Penang Chief Minister and all races have accepted this fact. DAP won the most seats in Penang, and naturally the Chief Minister will be chosen from the party."The situation of PAS in Kedah and PKR in Selangor is similar to DAP in Penang. They won the most seats, and automatically their leaders will become the Menteri Besar."Lim also revealed that the previous Penang Executive Council had gone through some lobbying process. However, the current exco is united and will make concerted efforts to rule Penang properly."At the very least, I noticed that all members already have mutual understanding after the first exco meeting. It has greatly increased our confidence in implementing a "clean administration". (Sin Chew Daily)
Chong Eng To Head Penang Education EffortsThe new Penang government has set up a special office in the Chief Minister executive office at the 28th floor of Komtar, to deal specifically with Chinese schools as well as Chinese Education.Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said that the office is specially designed for Bukit Mertajam MP Chong Eng, as she has been appointed by the state government to be in charge of the Chinese Education Working Committee led by the second Deputy Chief Minister Prof Ramasamy, who is in-charge of the state education affairs.Chong Eng revealed in an interview in Kuala Lumpur that Penang will clearly mark out land reservations in the Penang development blueprint for primary schools of all language streams. It includes the land reservations in densely Chinese and Indian populated areas to build Chinese primary schools and Tamil primary schools.She pointed out that the previous blueprints only stated the land reservations for national schools and have overlooked the existence of Chinese primary schools and Indian primary schools. DAP's position is to build schools according to the population regardless its medium. The funding from the Education Ministry should also be treated equally."Even though the main authority of education belongs to the Education Minister of the central government, but the Penang government will follow the central government's regulations to reserve school lands within the development areas."She disclosed that as the current reserved land are only meant for national schools, therefore SJK (C) Beng Teik Pusat has to pay for their own school land for their relocation from Lebuh Katz on Penang island to Taman Kota Permai in Bukit Mertajam.In the exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily, Lim said that the state government welcome the public to seek assistance or make recommendations on the Chinese education in the special office located at the 28th floor of Komtar."However, we do not want to give the impression that the state government is only concerned with the development of Chinese primary schools or Chinese education. We strive to achieve the concept of the people's government."He stressed that the state government does not want the education topic to be politicalised. "We must assist schools of any medium according to their needs systematically". (Sin Chew Daily)
A New Openess In PenangPenang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said a clean, efficient and democratic government is his motto. Listening to the people and to become the people's friend are the new government's policy direction.He said that the new government would depend on "the people", rather than "a power". Under the new administration, the people also don't need to do their work depending on the mood of other people."This is the first time in several decades."Lim described such situation as a "relief". He stressed that the new government is elected by the people. This government is willing do everything based on the people's will and democracy."In the past, it is one-party dominance. Now, it is people-dominance."He said that compared to the past, the people and the state government need to depend on the mood of other authorities when they were dealing with all kinds of public services such as land, urban planning, project contracting and so on. This situation will no longer be there after the new government took over the state.He pointed out that he was busy meeting with various non-governmental organisations and attending several civic activities after he took office. He said with a smile that many organisations told him recently that they "met the Chief Minister for the first time". It seems that he has created a lot of "the-first-time" record.For example, when he met with the Class F Malay contractors, he found that they have some misunderstandings and resentments against the new government. However, after some communication and exchange of ideas, all kinds of misunderstandings have been removed."Some contractors are very happy to take photographs with me!"Even though there are many things yet to follow up and programmes still cannot be implemented specifically, Lim promised that he is willing to become a realistic Chief Minister who will not confuse the right and the wrong. He will be persuasive in his words and deeds. (Sin Chew Daily)
Penang Officials Will Declare Their AssetsPenang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he and senior officials of the Penang government including the Municipal Council of Penang Island (MPPP) have been asked to declare their assets.Lim said that the state legal adviser has instructed them to fill up a very thick stack of forms, which will take up some time. The state legal adviser will then examine and approve the forms, as well as to choose the personal assets that needed to be declared to the public.He stressed that the leadership of the state government will announce their personal assets as soon as possible in keeping with their reform agenda. (Sin Chew Daily)
Lim Wants Have His Own ImageLim will not imitate the down-to-earth style of Tun Dato' Seri Dr. Lim Chong Eu or Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon. Instead he will build his image by "listening to the people's voice".He stressed that the Penang coalition government wants to be respected by all the people. They will respect everyone's voices instead of some particular groups. He also thinks that the opposition party must respect the people's choice and play an active role.The coalition government is the government of the people. He said the coalition government doesn't do their job "by depending on other people". Of course, they will listen to the opinions of the Penang people to become a government that truly based on democratic.Lim stressed that the coalition government will change the BN's political mode into another new political culture."Gutter-checking and road-resurfacing are the works a local government department must do. In the future, Municipal Council will deal with these issue. MPs and state assemblymen are just assisting.He believed that as long as the coalition government can demonstrate their ability, certainly they can convince the people, create another political culture and correct the misunderstanding of the people towards the duties of the MPs and the state assemblymen. (Sin Chew Daily)
Penang To Have Subways Instead Of MonorailPenang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng revealed that if Penang wants to protect its cultural heritage, the planned monorail must be changed into subway. At the same time, underground sewers must be opened up to solve the flooding problems once and for all."Even though the Penang state government does not have sufficient funds to build sewers and subways immediately, these projects can be divided into several stages over 20 or 30 years. Then, we will have a complete subway system that fully eradicate the flooding problems and will not destroy the city and its cultural heritage.Nevertheless, he stressed the state government still must consult with the central government, in order to obtain their support and funding for a such constructions.In the exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily, Lim revealed his development vision towards the big construction projects such as the monorail after the first exco meeting.He said that the previous state government planned only for short-term implementation, and did not have long-term plans to fully resolve the problems. The new coalition government will always put the people's long-term interests in the first place."Singapore's subway (MRT) is an example for Penang. Flood has never happened after the completion of the subway project. While the Penang coalition government will continue to promote its cultural heritage, elevated monorail will certainly bring great damages to Penang Island."He said that the major cities around the world have their own sewers to discharge excessive water and avoid flood.Lim said that the Penang government will continue to vigorously promote cultural heritage as tourism attractions. However, the most important task for the coalition government is to increase the confidence of foreign investors towards the new government, to strengthen foreign investments and to persuade them to remain them in Penang.He explained that the objective of the state government is to continue to attract high-tech foreign investments to Penang. The government intends to abandon the jobs that rely largely on foreign workers.He said that the basic income of the people must first be improved in a bid to improve their livelihood, so that they do not have to bear too much burden. (Sin Chew Daily)
Lim To Rent A House As His ResidenceDespite Lim Guan Eng refused to move into the CM residence that required three hundred thousands ringgit for renovation, he is going to rent a house as his residence to facilitate security and avoid affecting his family's daily routine.Lim, who is currently living in Island Park, said police told him before that the place does not facilitate security and therefore, he is going to look for a place which is easier for the police to carry out security settings. Besides, he does not want to burden his mother.He also explained that he refused to move into the CM residence because he wanted to set a good example to other civil servants.Lim emphasised that he will prioritise the state's affairs and his duties as the Penang CM. However, he will also play his role as a husband and a father. Thus, his wife and children in Malacca will move and join him in Penang someday.But for now, they still have to live apart because he does not want to affect his children's education particularly his eldest daughter, who is going to sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination this year.Lim admitted that he already felt the pressure despite his term of office has been started only for two weeks.He said that he felt the pressure during the elections because he was worried about his opponent but for now, the pressure comes from how to do his job well."Besides, there were rumours about threatening my life. Regardless they were true or not, they doubled the pressure, especially a rumour said that I was shot," said Lim.When mentioning about multi tasks on his shoulders and how he is going to balance his role between the Penang CM and DAP's secretary-general , Lim believed that leaders and members of his party will give him assistance and cooperation.However, he said he would still have to manage some party affairs. After all, he can be the Penang CM because he is the party's secretary-general.When talked about Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim who has resigned his PKR secretary-general post right after he was sworn in as the Selangor Menteri Besar, Lim explained that the secretary-general is not the most important post in PKR."This is a fact. For example, Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi needs to be the Umno President to make him the Prime Minister," he added.He said it is undeniable that improper management in Penang will as well lead to the fall of DAP. Thus, he suffers a great pressure as DAP has no experience in ruling a state.Lim said he is going to visit former Penang CM Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon to ask for advices like which government department or which area should be concerned more and what challenges must be overcame.He added that he is absolutely willing to listen to Koh's views and advices. (Sin Chew Daily)
Lim Expects Appropriation From The Federal GovernmentPenang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng believes that the Federal government would not make unwise decisions regarding appropriation for the state now that Penang is no longer under the Barisan Nasional. This is because if this is not forthcoming, it would only drive Chinese and Indian voters further away.Lim said that if the Federal government wants to spite opposition governments, it would be against not one but five of them in which 56% of the total population live in these states."The current situation reflected that the BN coalition can no longer be extreme. It would lead itself to be marginalised as DAP has formed the state government together with PAS and PKR in Perak," said Lim.As for the new school premises of Phor Tay Secondary School and the relocation of SRJK (C) Beng Teik Pusat, Lim said DAP Deputy Secretary-General Chong Eng will follow up and promote the projects.Lim understood that the most difficult problems facing by Chinese primary schools and SMJK schools in the state are lands, school premises and the shortage of teachers. Thus, the state government would seek cooperation from the Ministry of Education to resolve the problems.When being asked about Chinese school usually face problems in enlargements or relocations, he promised that the state government would not interfere much as long as these development projects are applied and carried out according to the proper procedures.He emphasised that many people thought the current situation is a relief (free from plights of the previous state government) but to him, it is more appropriate to say that they are actually implementing the ideology of the "people's government". (Sin Chew Daily)
Deficit May WorsenThe new Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he was confident of balancing the state budget with cost savings but warned that some land fraud cases might cause unforeseen deficit.During the 2008 Budget, former Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon disclosed that Penang would have to face a RM35 million deficit this year.Lim said that once the state lost a land fraud case which is still under appeal. The state government will have to fork out about RM35 million in this case..He added that the Penang government is currently facing eight similar cases."I found that the Penang government is actually facing many land fraud cases in an exco meeting. And when I heard of the huge amount, I almost fainted together with other Excos," said Lim.He said these cases has upset many plans set by the Coalition Government. The state government would have to reconsider its plans and it is not going to announce any plans in the short run. (Sin Chew Daily)
More CCTVs To Be Installed
The crime rate in Penang is expected to rise and patrols by village committees and local authorities have stopped operating due to the change of governments in the state, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said.He said that local patrols play an important role in law and order as they have developed a lot of experience in security measures. The safety of local residents were ensured by the assistance of local patrols.He added that the Penang Coalition Government would install more CCTVs in the state but the state government must first get adequate funds.Meanwhile, the state government has started having dialogues with the tourism industry representatives by hoping that they can contribute in enhancing the industry.Lim said earlier that it was a good idea to have zoo and aquarium as tourism attractions."However, I believe the construction of the zoo might attract protest from animal lovers. As for the aquarium, it requires a huge investment," said Lim.
Lim stressed that the state government will promote the cultural heritage of the region and at the same time, to develop or enhance other areas. (Sin Chew Daily)
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