Last night, Mustafa and I spoke at a Gerakan ‘teh tarik’ session on the outcome of the Permatang Pauh by-election and its implications. I was surprised to see the level of interest among those who attended, including non-Gerakan members as well. Many were keen to know whether Anwar would get his 30 MPs by 16 September. I told them I had no idea. I stressed to them the importance of institutional checks and balances. We cannot rely on a strong personality alone to bring about change. We need deeper institutional reforms – to the judiciary, police, ACA, Parliament, Election Commission and Suhakam. We also need a change in the mindset among politicians so that they really serve the rakyat and not themselves.
The BN has been challenging Anwar to take an oath – and he finally obliged, this morning. Only thing, it was not the sort of oath they had in mind. He was sworn in as Member of Parliament and is now Parliamentary Opposition Leader.
The Penang Island Municipal Council has formally rejected Abad Naluri’s mixed-development proposal for the Batu Gantung area (the Penang Global City Centre or PGCC project) at the Council’s committee meeting on 6 August. The grounds for rejection were: The proposal did not take into consideration the density of Taman Jesselton (6 units/acre), Scotland Road (10.2 units/acre) and Batu Gantung Road (15-30 units/acre); The applicant had not submitted amended plans for further consideration; There was no formal application to the Council and State Authorities for low- and medium-cost housing on land in Rifle Range Road belonging to the Council and state government;
