How To Pick A Chief Minister?
http://www.mysinchew.com/node/8557
2008-03-13 17:07
Lim Guan Eng was sworn in as the Penang Chief Minister and has appointed a Malay and an Indian as his deputies. It is the first multi-ethnic administration in Malaysian history.
In my view, not only it reflects Penang's racial makeup, but it has also weakened racist politics.
Lim did not get to be CM because of his race. He gets it because DAP won the most seats as well as his leadership ability. Similarly, Prof. P. Ramasamy and Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin were appointed as his
deputies because of their ideas and abilities, and not because of their race.
Of course, their identity as a Malay and an Indian helps them to deal with the social affairs and issues within the Malay and the Indian community.
"However, there is a common ground between these differences. "
It is not a state government which divide power between races. It must be a state government which treat different races fairly, and promote racial unity.
I think this is the desire of many voters, including Malays, Chinese and Indians. Today, our dream may become a reality, or at least, we see the hope.
Multi-ethnic administration has started in Penang and it can be realised in Penang. We expect good things for the future, and no race will say they have been maginalised.
Let's look at Selangor and Perak. The situation is relatively complicated and rather dangerous, especially in Perak.
These two states face the state constitutional restrictions, the Sultan's stand, the proportion seats of various political parties and the state population structure.
In Perak, DAP won 18 seats, with PKR and PAS won 7 and 6 seats respectively.
If DAP wants to become the Menteri Besar, they face the state constitutional restrictions that the Menteri Besar can only be a Malay Muslim, unless Sultan grants them the exemption.
However, there is no suitable candidate from PKR to take over the position. However, PAS won the least seats and many are worried of the party's ideology.
At present, the political parties face dilemma because of the internal pressure, and are unable to find the best solution.
The people involved worries that if he makes concession, he would face pressure from the top management, as well as the condemnation by the members.
There is actually a way out for this dispute. Their most important consideration is the voice of the majority of the people.
During the elections campaign, I went for ceramah one after another. There are significant differences from cities to suburbs, from auditoriums to open air events as well as the use of a few languages.
However, there is a common ground between these differences. The people are concern of non-racial national issues. We are all looking forward to real national unity.
When the candidate shouted for the issue of mono-race, the masses were unconcern. However, when the candidate advocated racial unity and shouted the slogan of "Anak Malaysia", the masses responded enthusiastically.
Therefore, on polling day, the Malays can vote for DAP, the Chinese can vote for PAS and we can also vote for PKR.
Racial segmentation has at last been broken. It sets a foundation in shaping future political integration. This foundation can't be destroyed because of the dispute over the position of Menteri Besar.
If turmoil were to happen because of this dispute, then the multi-races administration will end very soon.
Change another way of thinking, and allow the leaders who truly have the ability, no racial burden and fight fully for the interests of the people to become the Menteri Besar. It is the way out of racist politics. (By TAY TIAN YAN/ Translated by LEE MEI NYEE/ Sin Chew
Daily)
------------------
Penang exco men sworn in
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21055
Opalyn Mok & Regina William
newsdesk@...
PENANG: Seven DAP and three PKR assemblymen were yesterday sworn in as state executive councillors, with portfolio allocations decided after their inputs had been sought.
The new line-up (back row from left) Heng Kiang, Phee, Choo Kiang, Chow, Hock Seng, Wong, Ong, Abdul Malik Abd Kasim, and (seated from left) Mohd Fairus Khairuddin, Guan Eng and Ramasamy. The line-up is a mixture of experience and new faces, one that Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said will propel Penang forward.
In announcing the line-up and their respective portfolios in a press conference after the swearing-in ceremony, Lim said the portfolios were well distributed between DAP and PKR, the partners in the coalition government. (see table)
"The distribution of portfolios were decided after discussions with PKR and we had also asked the relevant exco member to sit in on the discussions on the relevant portfolio," he said.
PKR's Halim Hussein has been appointed state assembly speaker while PKR's Machang Bubuk Assemblyman Tan Hock Leong is deputy speaker.
"I believe we can play a role not only in physical development but also in political development for the state and country," Lim said.
He said the DAP-PKR cooperation will prove they can bring about better progress.
Bayan Baru MP and PKR state chairman Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim said PKR assemblymen were given relevant portfolios and the distribution of portfolios was done fairly.
"Although there are only two Malay state executive councillor, I am confident they can do even better than the five Malay excos under the previous state government to continue championing the rights of the Malays," he said.
The background of the excos:
» Padang Kota assemblyman Chow Kon Yeow, who is state DAP chairman, holds the heavy portfolio of local government, traffic management and environment. This will be a portfolio to watch given the state's objective of holding local council elections.
Chow, 50, a third-term Tanjung MP, has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Science from Universiti Sains Malaysia.
» Batu Maung assemblyman and PKR state communications secretary Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, 53, handles domestic trade and consumer affairs.
» Bukit Tambun assemblyman Law Choo Kiang, 38, was a multinational company manager and a part-time lecturer in Province Management Training Centre. He has a Bachelors of Business Administration from Taiwan University.
» Bagan MP and Bagan Jermal assemblyman Lim Hock Seng, 60, is in charge of the public works, utilities and transportation portfolio. Lim, who only has MCE qualifications, used to be a contractor before he was elected as an MP in 1986.
» Air Itam assemblyman Wong Hon Wai, 35, used to be an engineer with a multinational company before he earned a law degree from Universiti Malaya and became a lawyer.
» Second-term Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Boon Poh holds the health, welfare and caring society portfolio
» Batu Lanchang assemblyman Law Heng Kiang, more popularly known as Danny, holds the tourism development, culture, arts and heritage portfolio. He used to be a bank officer before he entered full time politics in 1998. His is also an important portfolio as Penang is on the world tourism map.
» Sole female DAP assemblyman Ong Kok Fooi, 43, is an insurance agent and a non-governmental organisation member. She joined DAP in April last year and does not hold any post in the party. She studied accounting in Taiwan University but did not complete the course.
Updated: 12:24AM Fri, 14 Mar 2008
-----------------------
Lim: Penang govt will not spend big
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21054
Regina William
newsdesk@...
PENANG: The state government will review projects that involve big public expenditure, including the plan to relocate the state administration from Komtar to Bayan Mutiara.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng told a press conference yesterday he will check if financing for the relocation will come from the state's coffers, look at the plan to redevelop Komtar and "see how all this is inter-twined".
"We don't want to come in and undertake expensive projects when we know that for the next one year, the economy will worsen. I don't see us spending big time, we cannot afford to spend billions on building satellite towns but we will revive existing infrastructure," Lim said.
Bayan Mutiara, located in the island's southeastern coast, is being developed by Penang Development Corp and has a potential gross development value of RM2 billion.
It will comprise residential, state government administrative complex and commercial precincts on its 155-acre plot when it is fully developed in 15 years. The project sits on reclaimed land near the high growth area of Bayan Lepas-Bayan Baru.
The other points Lim made:
» On the industrial sector, he hopes to bring in more investments and move away from foreign labour-intensive industries and is committed to enhancing competitiveness and ensuring skilled talents,
» He has sent a formal letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to request a meeting
» Civil servants must remember that they work for the people and should respect their wishes (as reflected in the polls) and not listen to elements who try to poison their minds against the state government,
» New state government is committed to preserve Penang's heritage,
» Federal funding from Petronas for the second Penang bridge is a legacy from Abdullah to Penangites,
» PGCC developer Abad Naluri Sdn Bhd has written to him, and he has referred this to the state legal adviser,
» Wants civil society to contribute and he is willing to listen to them.
Updated: 12:22AM Fri, 14 Mar 2008
---------------------
Friday March 14, 2008
DAP can fight it out in court
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/14/nation/20631338&sec=nat\
ion
PETALING JAYA: DAP can try to bring back local council elections although the Local Government Act does not allow it, a senior professor of law said.
Universiti Teknologi Mara's Prof Dr Shad Faruqi said the matter was a constitutional issue.
He said the Federal Government had jurisdiction to override state laws, adding:
"Local authorities are part of the state jurisdiction and the state assemblies have the right to pass a law on local elections but the problem is the Federal Government had already passed such a law."
However, he said if there was a clash between the Federal law and state law, it did not mean that the federal law must always prevail.
"The Federal law will prevail only if it was, to begin with, in Federal hands. In other words, if the law is not ultra vires (beyond its power). Article 75 allows the Federal law to prevail over state law if the federal law was intra vires (within its power).
"If the Federal law to begin with was illegal, the Federal law must be withdrawn," he said in an interview after the forum on Parliamentary Reform in Malaysia at Taylor's University College yesterday.
Prof Shad said this when asked if DAP could bring back local council elections since the Local Government Act does not allow them. DAP, in its general election manifesto, has pledged to bring back the elections.
"DAP has the chance to fight it out in the court," he said.
Prof Shad also said that Federal Territories, more than other territories should have local council elections because they were under-represented.
"Other territories have double representations – Dewan Rakyat and their own assemblies but the Federal Territory has only the Dewan Rakyat and I think that is unjust," he said.
----------------------------
2008/03/14
No signs of delay in mega projects
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/2186581/Article/index_htm\
l
GEORGE TOWN: New Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng does not expect any delays in the implementation of approved mega projects in the state that come under the purview of the federal government. Projects such as the Second Penang Bridge, the monorail project and Penang Outer Ring Road are commitments made to the people by the federal government and he did not anticipate any hitches.
"We also hope that the government will accede to the wishes of the people to fund the Second Penang Bridge project using Petronas funds," he said during a media briefing at his office in Komtar here.
Lim's hopes, however, could face a setback as Penang Umno yesterday said it would recommend that the federal government stop the implementation of all proposed mega projects, including those planned under the Northern Corridor Economic Region, the Penang Sentral project, the RapidPenang bus service and others.
State Umno secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim said the previous Gerakan-led state government had worked together with the federal government to bring all sorts of development to Penang. "Since the people have clearly rejected development and made their choice for a change, we will recommend to the federal government that it should cancel all such projects.
"Don't blame us for this," he said after the first state Umno liaison committee meeting following the election.
To a question on the implications of such a decision to the people, he said: "The people have chosen and they wanted a new leadership."
Later, Penang Port Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Ahmad Hajar said he also planned to talk to the federal government about the ferry service.
"I don't see any reason why the company should bear further losses from the ferry service. Our losses are about RM14 million a year," he said.
"I am giving the federal government three options -- to stop the ferry service, to allow a fare increase or to hand over the running of the service to the new state government."
The 24km Second Penang Bridge, which is expected to be completed by 2011, will link Batu Kawan on the mainland with Batu Maung on the island.
China is providing Malaysia a US$800 million (RM2.5 billion) loan for this -- the largest amount offered by the country for a single project in a foreign country.
UEM Construction Sdn Bhd has named Fortune 500 company China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) as its main contractor for the project. A consortium named CHEC-UEMC has been formed for this joint venture, in which CHEC holds a 51 per cent stake.
The chief minister had also cautioned that local projects, such as the sea-front integrated Bayan Mutiara development, are likely to come under scrutiny if funds from the state coffers were involved.
He said the state government hoped to attract more value-added investments, which would provide quality and high paying jobs.
Penang, he said, should move away from investments that focused on labour-intensive or low-wage operations.
Lim is due to meet representatives of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (northern region) today.
Asked about the state's future investment climate, Lim said it would hinge on global trends.
"There is a danger of the United States slipping into a recession. If that happens, we cannot escape its negative impact."
http://www.mysinchew.com/node/8557
2008-03-13 17:07
Lim Guan Eng was sworn in as the Penang Chief Minister and has appointed a Malay and an Indian as his deputies. It is the first multi-ethnic administration in Malaysian history.
In my view, not only it reflects Penang's racial makeup, but it has also weakened racist politics.
Lim did not get to be CM because of his race. He gets it because DAP won the most seats as well as his leadership ability. Similarly, Prof. P. Ramasamy and Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin were appointed as his
deputies because of their ideas and abilities, and not because of their race.
Of course, their identity as a Malay and an Indian helps them to deal with the social affairs and issues within the Malay and the Indian community.
"However, there is a common ground between these differences. "
It is not a state government which divide power between races. It must be a state government which treat different races fairly, and promote racial unity.
I think this is the desire of many voters, including Malays, Chinese and Indians. Today, our dream may become a reality, or at least, we see the hope.
Multi-ethnic administration has started in Penang and it can be realised in Penang. We expect good things for the future, and no race will say they have been maginalised.
Let's look at Selangor and Perak. The situation is relatively complicated and rather dangerous, especially in Perak.
These two states face the state constitutional restrictions, the Sultan's stand, the proportion seats of various political parties and the state population structure.
In Perak, DAP won 18 seats, with PKR and PAS won 7 and 6 seats respectively.
If DAP wants to become the Menteri Besar, they face the state constitutional restrictions that the Menteri Besar can only be a Malay Muslim, unless Sultan grants them the exemption.
However, there is no suitable candidate from PKR to take over the position. However, PAS won the least seats and many are worried of the party's ideology.
At present, the political parties face dilemma because of the internal pressure, and are unable to find the best solution.
The people involved worries that if he makes concession, he would face pressure from the top management, as well as the condemnation by the members.
There is actually a way out for this dispute. Their most important consideration is the voice of the majority of the people.
During the elections campaign, I went for ceramah one after another. There are significant differences from cities to suburbs, from auditoriums to open air events as well as the use of a few languages.
However, there is a common ground between these differences. The people are concern of non-racial national issues. We are all looking forward to real national unity.
When the candidate shouted for the issue of mono-race, the masses were unconcern. However, when the candidate advocated racial unity and shouted the slogan of "Anak Malaysia", the masses responded enthusiastically.
Therefore, on polling day, the Malays can vote for DAP, the Chinese can vote for PAS and we can also vote for PKR.
Racial segmentation has at last been broken. It sets a foundation in shaping future political integration. This foundation can't be destroyed because of the dispute over the position of Menteri Besar.
If turmoil were to happen because of this dispute, then the multi-races administration will end very soon.
Change another way of thinking, and allow the leaders who truly have the ability, no racial burden and fight fully for the interests of the people to become the Menteri Besar. It is the way out of racist politics. (By TAY TIAN YAN/ Translated by LEE MEI NYEE/ Sin Chew
Daily)
------------------
Penang exco men sworn in
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21055
Opalyn Mok & Regina William
newsdesk@...
PENANG: Seven DAP and three PKR assemblymen were yesterday sworn in as state executive councillors, with portfolio allocations decided after their inputs had been sought.
The new line-up (back row from left) Heng Kiang, Phee, Choo Kiang, Chow, Hock Seng, Wong, Ong, Abdul Malik Abd Kasim, and (seated from left) Mohd Fairus Khairuddin, Guan Eng and Ramasamy. The line-up is a mixture of experience and new faces, one that Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said will propel Penang forward.
In announcing the line-up and their respective portfolios in a press conference after the swearing-in ceremony, Lim said the portfolios were well distributed between DAP and PKR, the partners in the coalition government. (see table)
"The distribution of portfolios were decided after discussions with PKR and we had also asked the relevant exco member to sit in on the discussions on the relevant portfolio," he said.
PKR's Halim Hussein has been appointed state assembly speaker while PKR's Machang Bubuk Assemblyman Tan Hock Leong is deputy speaker.
"I believe we can play a role not only in physical development but also in political development for the state and country," Lim said.
He said the DAP-PKR cooperation will prove they can bring about better progress.
Bayan Baru MP and PKR state chairman Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim said PKR assemblymen were given relevant portfolios and the distribution of portfolios was done fairly.
"Although there are only two Malay state executive councillor, I am confident they can do even better than the five Malay excos under the previous state government to continue championing the rights of the Malays," he said.
The background of the excos:
» Padang Kota assemblyman Chow Kon Yeow, who is state DAP chairman, holds the heavy portfolio of local government, traffic management and environment. This will be a portfolio to watch given the state's objective of holding local council elections.
Chow, 50, a third-term Tanjung MP, has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Science from Universiti Sains Malaysia.
» Batu Maung assemblyman and PKR state communications secretary Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, 53, handles domestic trade and consumer affairs.
» Bukit Tambun assemblyman Law Choo Kiang, 38, was a multinational company manager and a part-time lecturer in Province Management Training Centre. He has a Bachelors of Business Administration from Taiwan University.
» Bagan MP and Bagan Jermal assemblyman Lim Hock Seng, 60, is in charge of the public works, utilities and transportation portfolio. Lim, who only has MCE qualifications, used to be a contractor before he was elected as an MP in 1986.
» Air Itam assemblyman Wong Hon Wai, 35, used to be an engineer with a multinational company before he earned a law degree from Universiti Malaya and became a lawyer.
» Second-term Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Boon Poh holds the health, welfare and caring society portfolio
» Batu Lanchang assemblyman Law Heng Kiang, more popularly known as Danny, holds the tourism development, culture, arts and heritage portfolio. He used to be a bank officer before he entered full time politics in 1998. His is also an important portfolio as Penang is on the world tourism map.
» Sole female DAP assemblyman Ong Kok Fooi, 43, is an insurance agent and a non-governmental organisation member. She joined DAP in April last year and does not hold any post in the party. She studied accounting in Taiwan University but did not complete the course.
Updated: 12:24AM Fri, 14 Mar 2008
-----------------------
Lim: Penang govt will not spend big
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21054
Regina William
newsdesk@...
PENANG: The state government will review projects that involve big public expenditure, including the plan to relocate the state administration from Komtar to Bayan Mutiara.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng told a press conference yesterday he will check if financing for the relocation will come from the state's coffers, look at the plan to redevelop Komtar and "see how all this is inter-twined".
"We don't want to come in and undertake expensive projects when we know that for the next one year, the economy will worsen. I don't see us spending big time, we cannot afford to spend billions on building satellite towns but we will revive existing infrastructure," Lim said.
Bayan Mutiara, located in the island's southeastern coast, is being developed by Penang Development Corp and has a potential gross development value of RM2 billion.
It will comprise residential, state government administrative complex and commercial precincts on its 155-acre plot when it is fully developed in 15 years. The project sits on reclaimed land near the high growth area of Bayan Lepas-Bayan Baru.
The other points Lim made:
» On the industrial sector, he hopes to bring in more investments and move away from foreign labour-intensive industries and is committed to enhancing competitiveness and ensuring skilled talents,
» He has sent a formal letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to request a meeting
» Civil servants must remember that they work for the people and should respect their wishes (as reflected in the polls) and not listen to elements who try to poison their minds against the state government,
» New state government is committed to preserve Penang's heritage,
» Federal funding from Petronas for the second Penang bridge is a legacy from Abdullah to Penangites,
» PGCC developer Abad Naluri Sdn Bhd has written to him, and he has referred this to the state legal adviser,
» Wants civil society to contribute and he is willing to listen to them.
Updated: 12:22AM Fri, 14 Mar 2008
---------------------
Friday March 14, 2008
DAP can fight it out in court
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/14/nation/20631338&sec=nat\
ion
PETALING JAYA: DAP can try to bring back local council elections although the Local Government Act does not allow it, a senior professor of law said.
Universiti Teknologi Mara's Prof Dr Shad Faruqi said the matter was a constitutional issue.
He said the Federal Government had jurisdiction to override state laws, adding:
"Local authorities are part of the state jurisdiction and the state assemblies have the right to pass a law on local elections but the problem is the Federal Government had already passed such a law."
However, he said if there was a clash between the Federal law and state law, it did not mean that the federal law must always prevail.
"The Federal law will prevail only if it was, to begin with, in Federal hands. In other words, if the law is not ultra vires (beyond its power). Article 75 allows the Federal law to prevail over state law if the federal law was intra vires (within its power).
"If the Federal law to begin with was illegal, the Federal law must be withdrawn," he said in an interview after the forum on Parliamentary Reform in Malaysia at Taylor's University College yesterday.
Prof Shad said this when asked if DAP could bring back local council elections since the Local Government Act does not allow them. DAP, in its general election manifesto, has pledged to bring back the elections.
"DAP has the chance to fight it out in the court," he said.
Prof Shad also said that Federal Territories, more than other territories should have local council elections because they were under-represented.
"Other territories have double representations – Dewan Rakyat and their own assemblies but the Federal Territory has only the Dewan Rakyat and I think that is unjust," he said.
----------------------------
2008/03/14
No signs of delay in mega projects
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/2186581/Article/index_htm\
l
GEORGE TOWN: New Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng does not expect any delays in the implementation of approved mega projects in the state that come under the purview of the federal government. Projects such as the Second Penang Bridge, the monorail project and Penang Outer Ring Road are commitments made to the people by the federal government and he did not anticipate any hitches.
"We also hope that the government will accede to the wishes of the people to fund the Second Penang Bridge project using Petronas funds," he said during a media briefing at his office in Komtar here.
Lim's hopes, however, could face a setback as Penang Umno yesterday said it would recommend that the federal government stop the implementation of all proposed mega projects, including those planned under the Northern Corridor Economic Region, the Penang Sentral project, the RapidPenang bus service and others.
State Umno secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim said the previous Gerakan-led state government had worked together with the federal government to bring all sorts of development to Penang. "Since the people have clearly rejected development and made their choice for a change, we will recommend to the federal government that it should cancel all such projects.
"Don't blame us for this," he said after the first state Umno liaison committee meeting following the election.
To a question on the implications of such a decision to the people, he said: "The people have chosen and they wanted a new leadership."
Later, Penang Port Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Ahmad Hajar said he also planned to talk to the federal government about the ferry service.
"I don't see any reason why the company should bear further losses from the ferry service. Our losses are about RM14 million a year," he said.
"I am giving the federal government three options -- to stop the ferry service, to allow a fare increase or to hand over the running of the service to the new state government."
The 24km Second Penang Bridge, which is expected to be completed by 2011, will link Batu Kawan on the mainland with Batu Maung on the island.
China is providing Malaysia a US$800 million (RM2.5 billion) loan for this -- the largest amount offered by the country for a single project in a foreign country.
UEM Construction Sdn Bhd has named Fortune 500 company China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) as its main contractor for the project. A consortium named CHEC-UEMC has been formed for this joint venture, in which CHEC holds a 51 per cent stake.
The chief minister had also cautioned that local projects, such as the sea-front integrated Bayan Mutiara development, are likely to come under scrutiny if funds from the state coffers were involved.
He said the state government hoped to attract more value-added investments, which would provide quality and high paying jobs.
Penang, he said, should move away from investments that focused on labour-intensive or low-wage operations.
Lim is due to meet representatives of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (northern region) today.
Asked about the state's future investment climate, Lim said it would hinge on global trends.
"There is a danger of the United States slipping into a recession. If that happens, we cannot escape its negative impact."
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