Jimmy Leow

DAP insists that all top SPM scorers should get an overseas Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships and not 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) grants to study in local public and private universities in the interests of fairplay, reward performance based on excellence not mediocrity and demonstrate the country’s commitment to retain our human talent.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz announced yesterday that 500 special education grants would be disbursed by 1MDB to the rejected applicants. The scholarships to public universities would be worth RM7,500 a year and scholarships for study of critical courses in private universities would be worth RM15,000 a year while grants for non-critical courses would be worth RM7,500.

At the same time, DAP condemns the BN government for failing to uphold transparency and accountability by making public the detailed results of all those who were awarded overseas scholarships. MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek has still not explained why MCA Ministers failed to fulfil Chua’s promise to award all top SPM scorers with PSD overseas scholarships. Chua would do well to read the article by his predecessor Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat in Malaysiakini that BN’s failure to award overseas PSD scholarships equally to all SPM top scorers has reflected negatively on BN.

Instead of responding to MCA’s failure that even his predecessor Ong had criticised, MCA is trying to distract attention by attacking the Penang PR state government for lying that Penang does not have enough money to provide scholarships to top students. MCA claims that Penang has vast wealth to spend on overseas scholarships because Penang came out top in investments with RM 12.2 billion in 2010.

If MCA can not differentiate between foreign and domestic investments with revenue then MCA does not deserve to be part of government. Investments are held by the private sector to spend to generate jobs and economic growth, not revenue for the state government to spend. Perhaps all MCA leaders should undergo a basic course of finance. Further the Penang PR state government is still trying to clean up years of BN’s misrule and abuse of power in the state that caused RM230 million in losses to Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai(MPSP) until MPSP became practically bankrupt and the Tang Hak Ju land scam that costs the state RM40 million.

Despite these revenue constraints, Penang PR has continued to award loans at local public universities to all deserving Penang students equally. Penang PR has also increased the primary and secondary school grants(not loans) to poor students. DAP pledges that unlike Barisan Nasional (BN), all deserving top students in the country will be awarded the same scholarships if Pakatan Rakyat (PR) wrins control of the federal government.

This pledge to award overseas scholarships equally to all top students is necessary to win Malaysia’s future by escaping the middle-income trap to become a high-income economy with USD15,000 per capita income. Malaysia would be sending a wrong message if we reward mediocrity instead of excellence, do not have a level-playing field that is fair to the best and brightest and allow the brain drain to continue. The time has come to invest our resources in the future by spending tens of billions of ringgit on human talent instead of squandering it on corruption and white elephant projects likes the RM 5 billion 100-storey Menara Warisan.

Lim Guan Eng

Desperate tactics by BN to racialise PR’s opposition to price increases will not succeed in deceiving and distracting the people that subsidy cuts only affect 27 million ordinary Malaysians but not impact the big companies like Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Felda. BN is so desperate to justify its subsidy cuts that  Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Deputy Minister Datuk Tan Lian Hoe is accusing DAP of trying to spark a a racial issue over a cut in the sugar subsidy by involving the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda).

This is a stupid argument by Tan as those affected by the price increase of sugar by 20 cents to RM2.30 per kg includes Malays. Or is Tan saying that price increases in sugar and petrol affect only non-Malays?

Tan said in Kuching 2 days ago that DAP had accused Felda of profiting from the subsidy cut in sugar. This is untrue. Tan is deliberately distorting my expose of the profits earned by Felda in the sugar business that was revealed during the listing of its subsidiary, MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd.

MSM produces close to 60 % of the refined sugar production in Malaysia and is valued at RM2.46bil or RM3.50 a share at by CIMB Investment Bank Bhd. For 2010, MSM made a profit of RM 232 million before the sugar price was increased by 20 cents to RM2.30 per kg.

This profit of RM232 million should be sufficient to cover any savings in sugar subsidies’ cuts by the government following the increase in sugar prices. Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohd Zain Mohd Dom had announced that the sugar price increase was to reduce government sugar subsidy by RM116.6 million from RM400 million per year.

What is RM 116.6 million savings from subsidy cuts in sugar by 20 cents compared to RM 232 million in profits earned by MSM last year? The BN government can easily transfer this M116.6 million cost, which is only half of the RM232 million annual profits, to MSM since it is owned by Felda.

Instead, in line with BN’s misguided and corporate-centric policy of helping the rich companies at the expense of poor ordinary Malaysians, BN has chosen to hit the pockets of 27 million Malaysians first than the already huge profits of corporate giants such as Felda or MSM. MSM should be asked to contribute by transferring half of their profits to the government and allow the sugar price to be maintained at RM2.10 per kg.

How can DAP be playing racial politics for asking the Federal government to get Felda to use half its profits to “subsidise” the government as a form of social corporate responsibility that will also help Malays? This is typical of BN’s racial politics that tries to pit Malays and non-Malays in a classic case of divide and rule.

All ordinary Malays and non-Malays are equally affected by the price increases. And all rich Malays and non-Malays equally benefit from not having to suffer any subsidy cuts as that suffered by ordinary Malaysians, especially those benefits enjoyed by the Independent Power Producers.

Clearly BN and Tan have run out of ideas by not been able to explain why no action has been taken to reduce gas subsidies of RM 19 billion annually to Independent Power Producers(IPPs), when it can take action to reduce diesel and gas subsidies of a few hundred million ringgit that hurts ordinary Malaysians.

A more just and fair socio-economic policy should be to cut the subsidies of the rich first instead of the poor.  The failure by BN to do so clearly shows that BN is about Barang Naik instead of PR (Price Reductions)

LIM GUAN ENG

The Penang state government welcomes the postponement of the implementation of the Solid Waste and Urban Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) to another date to be announced by the Federal government. Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung said in Alor Star yesterday that the enforcement of the Act which was supposed to be effective this April 30 but the Prime Minister wanted it to be postponed as some technical aspects needed to be sorted out first.

The Penang state government had opposed the policy of privatising solid waste management set by the federal government because of three principal reasons. First, neither the state government nor the local authorities has been consulted about the entire privatisation exercise. The privatised contracts are all forcibly imposed on the state governments or local authorities.

Secondly there is lack of accountability, as neither the state government nor the local authorities have a say in the running of the privatised project by the preferred contractor. If the people suffer because of poor management, the state government has no power to enforce compliance or punish non-performance. There may also be long delays in attending to problems because the matters can only be finalised in Putrajaya not in Penang. This goes against the basic concept of Think Globally but Act Locally.

Finally there is no open tender by the federal government in choosing the contractor who succeeded in gaining the privatised contract. This may lead to crony projects which will burden the people with inflated price, poor quality of services rendered and sub-standard management. The experiences in some states who have adopted privatised contractors selected without open tender by the Federal government has been costly, frustrating, time-consuming and thoroughly unpleasant.

Choosing contractors without an open public tender, without practicing consultation and without respecting accountability goes against the very tenets of “Blue Ocean Strategy” of finding new markets with new and innovative ideas or products. Relying on crony projects and burdening the public with inflated prices and poor service is not the Blue Ocean strategy been promoted by Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Therefore, the Federal government should allow state governments the choice to opt out of the Solid Waste and Urban Cleansing Management Act and instead choose its own contractor to be responsible for these critical urban cleansing duties.

Semalam satu lembaran baru sejarah telah tertulis di Malaysia, sebagai sebuah Negara Islam kita telah menjadi yang pertama dalam Negara-negara Islam membenarkan satu Tayangan Perdana sebuah filem lucah di sebuah Hotel yang bertaraf lima bintang iaitu Carcosa Seri Negara.

Boleh dikatakan hampir seluruh editor media baik media cetak mahupun media alternatif samada yang Pro UMNO mahupun Pro PR dijemput untuk menyaksikan tayangan perdana filem lucah yang dianjurkan oleh seorang lelaki yang dikenali sebagai Datuk ‘T’.

Tindakan Datuk ‘T’ menganjurkan tayangan perdana filem lucah itu seolah-olah direstui atau diberikan permit khas oleh pihak berkuasa kerana kita melihat tiada sebarang sekatan atau halangan yang dikenakan terhadap tayangan itu.

Adalah mustahil untuk mengatakan pihak berkuasa tidak tahu menahu akan tayangan perdana filem lucah itu kerana menterinya sendiri iaitu Menteri Dalam Negeri telah mengeluarkan kenyataan mengatakan sesiapa yang berasa teraniaya dengan tayangan filem lucah itu boleh membuat laporan polis.

Timbul persoalan disini apakah pihak berkuasa kita hanya bertindak berdasarkan laporan yang dibuat sedangkan jenayah atau salahlaku itu sedang berlaku dihadapan mata? Atau mungkin tayangan filem lucah yang cuba untuk mengaibkan pemimpin utama pembangkang dan keluarganya itu adalah dibenarkan daripada segi undang-undang.

Najib pula tanpa ditanya menyatakan dalam tweeternya bahawa pihak polis tidak terlibat dalam rakaman video lucah aksi seks pemimpin pembangkang itu.. hairan.. mengapa Najib juga kelihatan tergesa-gesa menafikan keterlibatan pihak polis tanpa ditanya?

Tetapi perlu kita ketahui tugas polis adalah menguatkuasakan undang-undang negara. Namun dengan membiarkan Datuk ‘T’ menganjurkan tayangan perdana filem lucah itu seolah-olah mereka memejamkan mata terhadap satu jenayah yang sedang berlaku.

Mungkin dalam hal ini pihak berkuasa kita telah dikilas tangannya oleh pihak yang lebih berkuasa dari pihak berkuasa itu sendiri..

Jika benar lelaki yang dikatakan berperut buncit itu adalah pemimpin utama pembangkang yang sedang melakukan hubungan seks dengan seorang pelacur di sebuah hotel di tengah-tengah ibu kota apa perlunya Datuk ‘T’ menayangkan video itu kepada wakil media selain daripada untuk mengaibkan pemimpin utama pembangkang dan keluarganya sahaja..

Agak janggal juga apabila Datuk ‘T’ tidak melaporkan kepada pihak berkuasa akan penemuan rakaman video aksi seks pemimpin utama pembangkang itu kepada pihak berkuasa, tetapi menayangkannya kepada wakil media.

Tujuannya jelas, iaitu hanya mahu mengaibkan pemimpin utama pembangkang dan keluarganya semata-mata.
Kenapa Datuk ‘T’ tidak mahu menyerahkan salinan rakaman itu kepada pihak berkuasa tetapi mahu menyerahkannya kepada NGO untuk dilakukan analisa akan keaslian video itu? Adakah Datuk ‘T’ meragui atau memandang rendah akan keupayaan pihak polis kita?

Tindakan Datuk ‘T’ ini juga menunjukkan kepada kita bahawa ada agenda politik yang sedang dijalankannya kerana beliau telah memberikan tempoh selama  tujuh hari kepada pemimpin utama pembangkang dan isterinya untuk meletak jawatan dari parti politik jika terbukti benar lelaki di dalam video itu adalah pemimpin utama pembangkang.

Datuk ‘T’ juga berkata rakaman aksi seks pemimpin utama pembangkang itu ditemui disebuah hotel yang diketahuinya menjalankan kegiatan tidak bermoral iaitu menawarkan perkhidmatan seks dan juga spa ini menunjukkan kepada kita semua betapa sebagai seorang warganegara Malaysia Datuk ‘T’ amat tidak bertanggungjawab dengan membiarkan perkara begitu tanpa melaporkan kepada pihak berkuasa.

Persoalan utama di sini ialah siapa Datuk ‘T’ yang begitu berani menganjurkan tayangan perdana filem lucah di sebuah hotel ditengah-tengah ibu Negara tanpa mendapat halangan dari pihak berkuasa?

Pihak hotel iaitu Carcosa Seri Negara juga perlu dipersalahkan kerana membiarkan premis perniagaannya dipergunakan sewenang-wenangnya sebagai tempat untuk menayangkan tayangan video lucah. Sepatutnya premis perniagaan perlu memenuhi etika sosial daripada mengejar keuntungan yang tidak bermoral.

UMNO Teluk Bahang Assemblyman Datuk Dr. Hilmi Yahya’s statement that the Federal Government should also be given credit by Penang State Government for becoming the top state for investment has clearly showed the narrow-mindedness of UMNO and BN leaders.

Although the Federal Government would like to make its claim, it is nevertheless a reflection of investors’ confidence towards the Penang State Government.

Without investors’ confidence in the energy, expertise and entrepreneurship of our human talent, it is not easy for Penang to attract them to invest or re-invest here by just relying on the Federal Government’s incentive or encouragement.

The State Government is not keen to take all the credit from this success, as what claimed by Dr. Hilmi. In fact, the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in his press conference on 19 January 2011 has also given credit to the Federal Government agencies from MIDA and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

It is a great achievement that should be shared 1.6 million Penangites. Without the hard work and support lent by the Penangites, the investors’ confidence will not be enhanced and thus expanding their existing manufacturing facilities in Penang.

Our investments were derived mostly from expansion of existing investment of RM9,392 million, and new investment of RM2,846 million. Dr. Hilmi said that no new major factories were set up in the state from 2008 to 2010 is half-truth statement and there were a lot of factories not set up on PDC’s land and will not become part of PDC’s report.

The denial syndrome by UMNO and BN leaders has once again telling us that they had totally lost touch with the people’s sentiment.

BN leaders like Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon’s explanation that the previous state government has provided a strong foundation and platform for the present state government to manage the state could not tally with the surge of public confidence as well as investors’ confidence towards the present state government.

Without knowing that it is utterly shameless acts of their desperation if UMNO and BN leaders want to continue their credit claim for the success and not for the failures in Penang due to their past incompetencies and current unfairness to Penangites too, especially in terms of the distribution of the Federal Government’s financial grants and allocations.

NG WEI AIK

The Penang state government has established a new State Executive Council portfolio for non-Islamic Affairs to handle religious matters relating to Buddhists, Christians, Sikhism, Taoism & Hinduism. This is the first time that a state executive council portfolio has been formed in Penang and the EXCO member in charge will be the Chief Minister.

The State EXCO for Non-Islamic Religious Affairs was presented by Deputy Chief Minister II Professor Dr P. Ramasamy to the weekly state EXCO meeting and approved last week. Professor Dr P. Ramasamy will be the deputy in this non-Islamic Affairs EXCO portfolio.

The establishment of the non-Islamic Religious Affairs portfolio marks the celebration of the WorldInterfaithHarmony Week by the United Nations this week. Unlike the Federal Government’s Committee for the Promotion of Inter-religious Understanding and Harmony, this is not a committee but a full EXCO portfolio and reflects the state government’s genuine concerns on  all religious matters.

Further as a George Town is a UNESCO World Heritage city, the formation of this EXCO portfolio is timely as it promotes diversity and positive human interaction on cultural, religious and social spheres. Despite our differences, we are united by our common aspirations for good practices and universal moral values of peace, justice, moderation and harmony. Co-operation not confrontation, mutual respect not tolerance, and understanding not ignorance will be the governing creed of this new Penang EXCO portfolio.

Penang is willing to work with the Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak’s  who had expressed hopes at the United Nations’ 65th general assembly last year, during which he said he did not want any extremist or militant groups to threaten unity and security in Malaysia. The Penang state government is concerned at the existence of extremist groups who seeks to racialise every event for their own selfish interests. Penang has been under siege with attacks of being anti-Malay even if it only involves only 10% Malays or one Malay out of 10 affected parties.

The Penang state government calls on the people to embrace the future by embracing every Malay, Indian, Chinese, Kadazan and Iban, as Malaysian brothers and sisters, Malaysian sons and daughters.

Then only can we grow together, learn together and enjoy the success together.

LIM GUAN ENG

DAP wishes to extend our congratulations to the Royal Malaysian Navy for its success in capturing 18 Somali pirates and preventing their attempted hijack of a Malaysian chemical tanker near the Gulf of Aden. This successful operation in saving the tanker and their crew without any loss of life inspires confidence in a professional navy that justifies the people’s faith.

Not Just Petronas But BN Must Come Clean On The Scandal Of Huge Illicit Capital  Outflows Of RM888 Billion From Malaysia In 9 Years From 2000-2008, The Fifth Highest In The World Amongst Developing Countries.

Whilst our navy boys are heroes for their successful capture of Somali pirates in international waters, DAP regrets that land “pirates” are allowed to roam freely in Malaysia. The US-based financial watchdog Global Financial integrity (GFI) reported that illicit money outflows from Malaysia tripled to US$68.2 billion (RM208.1 billion) in 2008, from US$22.2 billion in 2000.

For the period 2000-2008, China tops the chart among the world’s exporters of illicit capital with a whopping US$2.8 trillion of outflows, followed by Russia (US$427 billion), Mexico (US$416 billion), Saudi Arabia (US$302 billion) and Malaysia (US$291 billion or RM888 billion). Other Asian countries with high illegal capital flight are Philippines ($109 billion), Indonesia ($104 billion) and India ($104 billion).

Clearly illegal capital flight from Malaysia of RM888 billion over 9 years from 2000-8 has dwarfed legitimate capital inflows into the country. GFI defines illicit financial flows as generally involving the transfer of money earned through illegal activities such as corruption, transactions involving contraband goods, criminal activities, and efforts to shelter wealth from a country’s tax authorities.

GFI said that poor governance, pervasive corruption and rising income inequality as contributory factors, making serious allegations that even GLCs such as Petronas could probably be driving illicit flows. This is a devastating indictment of the lack of enforcement, rule of law and a culture of corruption that has eroded confidence in our capital market.

GFI also pointed out the significant discrimination in labour markets was another factor which moved not only people but also illicit and unrecorded capital out of the country. Sadly, Malaysia’s loss of human talent has not only dimmed our future but also made all of us poorer.

Clearly, not only Petronas but BN must come clean on the scandal of huge illicit money outflows RM888 billion from Malaysia in 9 years from 2000-2008, the 5^th highest in the world amongst developing countries.

GFI proposes increasing transparency as critical to reducing the outflow of illicit money from developing countries.This is in line with Penang state government’s CAT governance of Competency, Accountability and Transparency, which has resulted in Penang being commended by the Auditor-General’s Report as the best financially managed state and won praise from Transparency International.

The refusal of BN to come clean will not only cause greater losses in the future, there is a possibility that the country may even go bankrupt by 2019 as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala had warned. RM888 billion in only 9 years is a huge sum by any measure, and more than four times our 2011 National Budget. If RM888 billion was given to 27 million Malaysians, each man woman and child would receive nearly 33,000/- each over 9 years.

Any clean and responsible government with integrity would have immediately established a Royal Commission of Inquiry into this RM888 billion illicit capital outflow scandal. However BN’s reluctance to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry into other scandals such as RM52 billion bumi shares scandal, where Malays/bumis lost RM 52 billion of bumi shares which just “disappeared”, leaves Malaysians with no choice but to change the government if we want to unearth the truth and punish the culprits responsible.

As the state assemblyman of Pantai Jerejak, Pulau Jerejak is part of my constituency. I would like to urge The Penang State Government to stop the bleed and stop future UDA-PDC joint development of Pulau Jerejak.

The State Government has already lost RM30million in this UDA-PDC venture. Out of which RM 15.435 million was investment to TIR, RM3.6 mil loan and RM 11mil unpaid land premium. This is a huge lost to the state coffers and Penangites. It does not make sense to further develop the island with current lost-making venture. Please stop the bleed.

I also welcome the Parliament Public Account Committee Chairman Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid’s statement that the Auditor General should compile a special report on the Pulau Jerejak Resort Development. The matter is urgent and it is losing public money. The  previous State Government under the leadership of former Chief Minister Tan Sri Koh Tsu Khoon has made several wrong decisions on Pulau Jerejak Development. First, they have given all usable land to UDA. There are 4 phases of developments under UDA-PDC joint venture. The Tropical Island Resort is just the first phase of the development. The Second, third and fourth phase including luxury homes with private marina and medical tourism projects are all “white elephant” in nature. These further developments will not benefit the ordinary Penangites.

I would like to urge the State Government to reject all these further development. The PDC should stop further funding to these “white elephant” projects.

Second major wrong decision was to approve building water storage tanks on the northern part of the island. This has scarred the beauty of this beautiful island. It has also taken a large piece of land that prevent future development of the island. The PBA must try as much as possible to replant trees that have been chopped down to make way for construction.

Pulau Jerejak is an Island full of potential. It has now been gazetted to become a State Park. Development of the island should be along the same direction that is eco-tourism. My suggestion to the state government is to acquire the controlling stake of the development from UDA. UDA has failed in the development and now currently struggling to up keep Tropical Island Resort. UDA is not an expert in running resort and hotels. They should focus on their founding objectives that is Urban Development.

Tan Sri Koh Tsu Khoon must help to return the controlling stake to the people of Penang. UDA is a far-away developer in KL. They do not understand the situation in Penang. Tan Sri Koh must act on the benefit of Penangites, return the controlling stake to PDC now.

According to Malaysian International Development Agency(MIDA), Penang is the No.1 state for total capital investments in manufacturing projects in 2010 attracting RM 12,238 million, up nearly 5 times as compared to RM 2,165 million in 2009. This is the first time in history that Penang has topped the list of investments amongst all states and is the highest investment received ever. This success is due to the hard work by the 1.6 million Penangites together with state government leaders and agencies as well as federal government agencies from MIDA and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

Penang’s investments were derived from new investments of RM 2,846 million and expansion by existing investors of RM 9,392 million. Clearly these figures only captured those industries that sought incentives from MIDA and not the new or expansion investments that did not require grants from the federal government.

The significance of this historic achievement is highlighted by Penang contribution of RM 12,238 million to Malaysia investment constituting 26% of Malaysia’s total investments of RM 47,177 million of 2010. Yesterday Minister of international trade and industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed announced a 45% increase in Malaysia 2010 investment performance from RM 32,637 million in 2009 to RM 47,177 million in 2010. Penang moved up from No. 4 in 2009 to Nol 1 in 2010, increasing by 465% from RM 2,165 million in 2009 to RM 12,238 million in 2010.(see attached)

The 465% increase in investments in Penang reflects confidence in the energy, expertise and entrepreneurship of our human talent. Further this is an affirmation of the state government’s strategy of promoting Penang as a location of choice based on 7 critical success factors(CSF) of growth:-

1. Ready availability of skilled human talent;

2. Effective and efficient supply chain management;

3. Competent and reliable logistics and communications hub

4. Strong Intellectual Property protection;

5. Good governance and effective leadership;

6. Building creativity and innovation in science and technology; and

7. Livable and intelligent city.

Penang believes that CAT governance of competency accountability and transparency has also built confidence that a government with integrity can make things happen and both execute and deliver. Penang was not only the best performer in managing state finances in Malaysia according to the Auditor-General Report for 2009 but also received accolades for anti-corruption from Transparency International.

As the newly-crowned champion amongst all states in attracting investments, the Penang state government wishes to congratulate the people of Penang. With the best financial performance, the best state in clean governance, the best green practices and now the top performer in investments, Penangites can now proudly say “Penang Leads!”.

LIM GUAN ENG

During this festive season, Jesus’ timeless message of love, peace and hope resonates with all Malaysians. We must remind ourselves that we are Malaysian First and that Malaysian unity is more important than Chinese unity, Malay unity, Indian unity, Iban unity and Kadazan unity.

Malaysians must reject those who seek to divide us whether by skin colour or religion. Why should the Malays be disunited just because UMNO loses Malay support? There is no talk of Malays being disunited when PAS loses Malay support. Similarly why should the Chinese be disunited just because MCA loses Chinese support or Indians be disunited when MIC loses the support of the Indians?

Malaysians should be united by the common platform of freedom, truth, democracy, justice and social welfare for all.

Jesus taught that we must learn to love each other even our enemies.  Then only can we open our hearts to peace and give hope to not only everyone but future generations.

Malaysians must reject those who preach hate and violence to the extent of calling for the bloody May 13 tragedy to be declared as a sacred day that should be celebrated.

Let us reject these pseudo-Malaysians who are extremists, racists and greedy cronies of corruption. Let us focus on real Malaysians as ordinary fathers and mothers who want to improve their economic livelihood and see a brighter future for their children.

We pray that we will stand united in one heart and one mind to serve one another and our community with love and compassion. We pray for all who are suffering from deprivations or ill or lost their loved ones that they have the strength to prevail and overcome. We pray that we awaken our conscience so that our need to act faithfully against all injustice is reflected in how we speak, how we serve and how we give.

Merry Christmas from the Penang state government!