Jimmy Leow

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

Penang hopes that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop can urge the Federal government to reveal how much has been allocated for Penang under the 10^th Malaysian Plan. So far no information has been forthcoming about the projects and funding for Penang even though the 10^th Malaysian Plan was unveiled on 10 June 2011 in Parliament by the Prime Minister.

RM230 billion was set out for the 10MP with 60 % physical development and 40 % non-physical development based on 7 key thrusts identified namely

• Charting development for a high income nation
• 6 pct growth target
• Per capita income to increase to RM38,845 (US$12,139) by 2015
• Creating private sector-led economy
• Supporting innovation-led growth
• Full employment
• Restructuring of subsidies

However 9 months after the 10MP was launched, the Penang state government still does not know how much was Penang allocated and what projects would be identified. To-date, we are uncertain whether the Federal government has decided on the allocation for the respective states under the 10MP. It is only fair for Penang to receive its fair share in view of the annual sum of nearly RM4 billion in contributions to the Federal government.

Penang No. 1 In Implementing 9MP Projects But What Are They?

The only information available is the statement by Tan Sri Nor that Penang recorded the highest percentage in utilisation of funds, compared with other states, in expenditures on development projects implemented by the federal government. Tan Sri Nor said that 91.84 per cent of the RM7.176 billion allocated for development projects in Penang under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) had been utilised.

Again the Penang state government hopes that Tan Sri Nor can reveal the details of the projects under the 9MP, which shows the progress and effective implementation by the federal government in Penang.  This will also assist in determining the reasons for the delay so that such weaknesses will not be repeated again. There is no doubt that delayed completion of projects causes losses detrimental to public interest. Such delays can be avoided with proper planning and supervision.

LIM GUAN ENG

Rakyat mesti menolak hasutan ekstremis dan berbau perkauman yang melabelkan orang bukan Islam sebagai berdosa, khususnya dalam media yang dikuasai BN, kerana menyebarkan maklumat palsu bahawa amalan tradisi Kristian dan Hari Kekasih Valentine Day adalah berdosa. Pada masa yang sama ada pemimpin BN yang melabelkan negara-negara Islam sebagai mundur, miskin, korup dan tidak demokratik.

Jelas sekali permainan perkauman dan ekstremis ini bertujuan untuk pecah-belahkan rakyat dengan melaga-lagakan antara agama agar pemimpin BN boleh terus memerintah dan skandal rasuah yang kian berleluasa. Keengganan BN menjawab skandal tentang RM888 bilion wang yang dibawa curi-curi keluar secara haram dalam 9 tahun di antara 2000-2008, amat tidak bertanggungjawab kerana ia melibatkan jumlah wang besar. Betapa besarnya boleh dilihat sekiranya RM888 bilion diagihkan kepada 27 juta rakyat Malaysia, maka setiap orang akan menerima RM 33,000/-! Atau kini setiap orang dewasa, kanak-kanak dan bayi telah kehilangan RM33,000/-.

Hari Kekasih atau Valentine’s Day bukanlah sebahagian daripada fahaman, ajaran atau nilai Kristian. Tidak ada sebarang upacara sembahyang dijalankan dalam gereja untuk menandakan Hari Kekasih ini. Sebaliknya ia adalah hanya suatu amalan popular yang tidak menggalakkan amalan jahat berzina atau berdosa. Sekiranya ada pihak jahat yang cuba menyalahgunakan Valentine’s Day untuk kegiatan maksiat atau berzina, ia dikecam dan dilarang oleh semua pihak baik bukan Islam ataupun Islam.

Untuk melabelkan ajaran Kristian sebagai tradisi berdosa dalam TV adalah sungguh tidak bertanggungjawab dan biadab. Jelas sekali ada pihak tertentu yang cuba mencari populariti di kalangan umat Islam dengan menjalankan kempen anti-Hari Kekasih seakan-akan suatu kempen menyelamatkan Islam daripada dosa-dosa yang diamalkan di kalangan bukan Islam.

Sekiranya mereka ingin mempertahankan Islam, mengapa mereka tidak menjalankan kempen ke atas pemimpin BN yang menyerang calon wanita PAS sebagai ekstremis kerana calon wanita itu memilih untuk tidak salam dengan kaum lelaki? Mengapa mereka tidak menjalankan kempen ke atas pemimpin BN sama yang melabelkan negara-negara Islam sebagai mundur, miskin, korup dan tidak demokratik?

Jelas sekali, ini adalah suatu permainan politik BN dengan taktik talam dua muka untuk menimbulkan kebencian di kalangan kaum dan agama masing-masing. Sandiwara talam dua muka BN ini berlainan dengan PR yang bertindak adil kepada semua kaum dan agama dengan mempromosikan kesederhanaan, kesefahaman, dan saling hormat-menghormati serta bantu-membantu di antara satu sama lain.

PR berpegang kuat dengan kepercayaan bahawa kesederhanaan adalah keadilan.

LIM GUAN ENG

The Penang state government welcomes the announcement by Minister in the Prime Minister Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon that Penangites stand to benefit greatly as 10 out of the 12 NKEAs focus on the development of Penang. Koh had stressed at the Penang Chinese Town Hall two days ago that the Federal government had not ignored Penang and would place greater emphasis on the state so it would not be left out of the nation’s mainstream development.

Since Koh said that amongst the 10 out of 12 NKEAs that Penang would benefit are the electronics industry, communications, tourism and health care, Penang hopes that he would provide details. When 19 Entry Points Projects(EPP) involving RM67 billion in investments, creating 35,000 jobs and increasing Gross National Income(GNI) by RM35 billion were unveiled last month, not one of the EPPs was located in Penang.

Penang’s failure to snare even one out of the 19 EPPs is unfair, discriminatory and unacceptable when there are only 13 states in Malaysia excluding the Federal Territory.  However the Penang state government is willing to trust Tan Sri Dr Koh one more time that Penang will benefit from the 19 EPPs.

Based on the RM67 billion in investments, Penang should benefit at least RM 5 billion on a proportional basis as one of the 13 beneficiary states. Tan Sri Dr Koh should quickly provide details of when and where the RM5 billion in investments will be distributed as soon as possible.

At the same time, the Federal government should also explain why RM67 billion in investments under the 19 EPPs can generate only 35,000 jobs or RM2 million per job. As compared to the 2010 total private domestic and foreign investments of RM 47,177 million will help create 97,319 jobs or less than RM500,000 per job. Such great disparity requires explanations as to what type of jobs are created under the 19 EPPs that needs RM 2million to generate one job.

LIM GUAN ENG

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!

Ketua Menteri(KM) Pulau Pinang YAB Lim Guan Eng tidak pernah mempersoalkan dan mempertikaikan kerakyatan mana-mana warga Malaysia dalam ucaptama beliau dalam Konvensyen Kebangsaan Kedua PR di Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang pada 19.12.2010. Sila baca teks ucapan penuh beliau di bawah tajuk “Kerajaan Berjiwa Rakyat Untuk Rakyat Malaysia Sebenar”.

Jelas, Utusan Malaysia dan pemimpin UMNO Pulau Pinang seperti Dr Novandri Hasan Bari sekali lagi bertindak jahat menabur fitnah dengan menggembar-gemburkan kononnya KM mahu kerakyatan warga Malaysia dipersoalkan. Seperti yang dinyatakan oleh KM,

“Rakyat Malaysia (the real Malaysians) yang sebenarnya adalah rakyat biasa yang pentingkan hak ekonomi dan masa depan agar kehidupan mereka bukan sahaja lebih senang tetapi masa depan untuk anak-anak adalah lebih cerah dan baik. Rakyat Malaysia sebenar mahukan sebuah masayarkat aman, tenteram dan penyayang serta menyokong prinsip keadilan, kebenaran, kebebasan, kebajikan dan ketakwaan kepada Tuhan.

Yang bukan rakyat Malaysia sebenar adalah yang  hanya tahu benci-membenci dengan menggunakan fahaman eskstrimis baik aspek kaum, jantina mahupun agama, yang tamak haloba di mana demi godaan wang rasuah atau yang lain rela menjualkan segala-galanya serta kaki fitnah dan tohmah. Yang kesemua ini bukan rakyat Malaysia sebenar, mereka ini Malaysia Celup or pseudo-Malaysians.”

Lim Guan Eng’s take on 2011 Budget.

Video by Jimmy Leow, Citizen Journalist

Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng speaks about what is installed for Penang and its future as an international city.

Video by Jimmy Leow

Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng speaks about what is installed for Penang and its future as an international city.

Video by Jimmy Leow