It has been over a week since Lim Guan Eng was sworn in as Penang Chief Minister, but already he is discovering some of the serious challenges facing the new Penang state government.
He faces a daunting task. Planning approvals for major development projects in the past have been haphazard at best and irresponsible, dubious and shady at worst. The PGCC Campaign Group met Guan Eng this afternoon in the Bilik Gerakan (someone quipped that it should be renamed “Bilik DAP”) of the Chief Minister’s office in Komtar. After driving the final nails into the PGCC coffin, the activists from Penang’s main civil society groups said they would come up with a detailed proposal to turn the Turf Club land into a People’s Park within the next couple of months. Guan Eng joked that the developer’s bouquet of flowers had not influenced him in any way.
The activists also highlighted a whole range of planning and approval shortcomings that have left the island looking increasingly like a veritable concrete mess, plasted with huge billboards and plagued by poor enforcement. Among the examples cited were proposals for 40-storey tower blocks on the coastline of Tanjung Bungah and the massive Hunza development along Gurney Drive. The Campaign Group stressed that there should be no major development work until Local Plans are approved.
Land reclamation was another major issue. The activists pointed out that the previous adminstration had lost huge amounts of potential revenue by virtually handing over land reclamation projects to private developers to make lucrative profits while state coffers hardly benefited.
If land reclamation had been properly handled – there are 16,000 hectares of potential land that can be reclaimed – it could have generated enough revenue for the state to finance its operating and development expenditure for many years. Instead, IJM (along the Jelutong Expressway) and E&O (along Tanjong Tokong) appear to be the prime beneficiaries.
Land reclamation has also caused severe environmental problems – mud flats in Gurney Drive and siltation. Guan Eng pointed out that, thanks to siltation, the authorities may now have to spend federal funds (public money) to dredge the sea around the port area. Let’s not even talk about the damage it has caused to marine and coastal biodiversity.
The new Chief Minister said that Penang has to cope with tight financial constraints, with a budget deficit of RM35 million announced last year. Worse, there are several court cases coming up involving dubious land deals undertaken during the previous administration that have exposed the state to potential legal damages. In one such case involving a shady land deal in 2003, in which the legal officer acting for the state strangely conceded liability, the state government now could be exposed to RM30 million in damages. “I don’t know where I am going to find RM30 million,” said a worried Guan Eng, an accountant by training.
The Penang state government must institute a thorough investigation into how this could have happened.
I asked him about Penang’s financial reserves, and he said the state had about RM200-odd million in reserves. But, he added, the government would be reluctant to touch this as it would affect the state’s credit rating.
It is at times like this that we wish that land reclamation had been properly handled in the past. It could have been a major source of revenue for the state, provided of course that the environmental aspect had been thoroughly studied first.
The Chief Minister also confirmed that all files had been taken away from their offices. “Maybe they wanted you to start on a ‘clean slate’,” someone quipped.
As for the re-introduction of local government elections, Guan Eng said that Penang was the only state so far to have committed itself to restoring elected councils. But in view of the cost and logistics involved, he felt that local council elections should be best held to coincide with the next general election.
CCTV cameras to curb crime?
Guan Eng said that he had prioritised security as his main concern for the next few months. He appeared keen on installing more CCTV cameras in crime-prone areas as a preventive measure – a move which could cost RM20 million.
I hope Guan Eng will reconsider this as I do not think it will be money well spent.
For one thing, the effectiveness of CCTV cameras in crime prevention is questionable (although some may say its value lies in its deterrent effect).
Secondly, it could lead to a Big Brother society, where cameras watch the people’s every move. Before long, you will have cameras spying on you wherever you go – and there will always be a need for more and more cameras if we don’t attack the root (socio-economic) causes of the rising crime rate.
Thirdly, in view of the state’s budget difficulties, there are better ways to spend this money. In fact, the Penang state government should leave crime-fighting to the the police. (Are there serious problems in policing which the proposed IPCMC could help resolve?) The state government should instead look at the underlying reasons for the rise in crime. Is it due to social problems created by unemployment, the widening gap between the rich and poor, the alienation of the working class, the lack of skills training that would otherwise enable more people to seek gainful employment? (See a comment by Hamid Ibrahim below, in which he includes an article suggesting that the state of urban ecology is an important factor in explaining urban crime.)
Installing CCTVs was an idea mooted by the previous administration and the police. Even before the general election, there were already 31 CCTVs in the Penang town centre with plans for 31 more on the mainland and another 94 on Penang Island. The way I see it, the main beneficiary will probably be the camera and equipment suppliers. So watch out for their marketing sweet talk.
Guan Eng receives documents from the PGCC Campaign Group
That said, the PGCC Campaign Group’s meeting with the new Chief Minister has achieved its objective of alerting the new state leaders about some critical issues that need to be resolved.
Guan Eng appeared down-to-earth (“No need to address us as YB”), warm and sincere and keen to make a fresh start for Penang. He kept telling us, “This is your government; we want the people to feel part of the government” – stuff like that, which went down well. He recalled his consultation with Indian groups and how delighted and empowered they felt when they were allowed to speak in Tamil while someone translated for the chief minister. “I wasn’t even sure if they were scolding me!” he laughed.
The new state government thus far enjoys tremendous public support and goodwill, and many have volunteered their services to help fashion a new Penang for all. This administration will need all the help it can get.
Related posts:
All well meaning Penangites must give the CM some space and time. There is no need to flock a new horse. 2 weeks is not such a long time. Hasty decision will lead to serious mistakes which he will have to take responsibility and not you all.
There is so much to look into and so much more to do. Don’t forget that there are sensitive considerations which he has to take into account. Talking is not quite like doing and taking responsibilities.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
QUOTE: After driving the final nails into the PGCC coffin, the activists from Penang’s main civil society groups said they would come up with a detailed proposal to turn the Turf Club land into a People’s Park within the next couple of months…..
Penang turf club is private land and they must be stupid to make proposals that will not be materialized. it is a mere waste of time on their side n very wishful thinking. If the state has money to take over the land, which i doubt, then they can talk otherwise it will only be a stupid proposal.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Well done Guan Eng..Do the necessary for a total cleanup of the mess by the Gerakan led administration. Another project that should be reviewed is the Penang Second Crossing. The original plan was to locate the bridge in the northern part of the island, connecting the population centres of Butterworth and Georgetown and to connect the proposed PORR to the completed Butterworth Ring Road. This was the original concept and excepted by Gerakan. The UMNO folks including Pak Lah… forced the EPU and the political clowns in KL to shift to the south as they felt that the northern option will not benfit Bumis in the South. Before the relocation to the south, there was a land grab for land on the mainland and the southern part of the island. The 23km bridge in the south will be white elephant as studies indicate the the southern option will only be needed after 2025…this will then be the 3rd Penang Bridge crossing.
Guan Eng, it is important to review this bridge project and get the correct decision that will benefit the people of Penang. Don’t be fooled by this mega project that was not even tendered but given to a UEM led consortium with a huge negotiated price in excess of RM4.0 billion. If open tender was called and other Malaysian contractors eg Gamuda, IJM, Mudajaya,WCT,etc were allowed to bid, the tender price would probably in the RM2.9-3.2 billion range. Bear this in mind during your meetings with sleepyhead and ask him why he wanted the bridge in the south, not north.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Penang.
I know you have a solution as in Temasek holding style.
However, there are many obstacles to go through especially the Federal Government will definately do something to retaliate.
CM are not facing a clean entity. CM is facing a Government that are full of Ganster head.
Everysteps must be carefully studied and discuss throughout the team to weight pros and cons.
Your proposal also need time to consider. You think a decision can be easily made within hours or instantly after your presentation? No matter how good the deal is, it still need careful study, consideration and impact on the result.
One week itself will not be sufficient to act.
So many holes that were left by previous government need to be expose and fix. If CM didn’t put blame into Tsu Koon and Co, no one would know how bad the Holes are. This is politics. You have to arrange the chess piece carefully. One wrong step and you will be checked mate.
A Good accountant will study in depth of everything and only then come to conclusion or decision. why, cos my sister is Experience, Successful and Good Chartered Accountant and she does things with full analysis. CM is accountant by profession. He is doing the same as a professional accountant doing.
Let them do their job. If you think you can do a better job then them, then go to election, wins it and run the states.
Why don’t you run the Penang governent?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
i) mud digging must continue.
ii) those of u in preceding posts who claimed to have “progress plans” for your “home – penang”; pls be patient. pls gv LGE & Co get their feet firmly into the psyche of the govt machinery i.e. civil servants (there are still a lot of them who owes their allegiance to the previous adminstrator; and i am sure that the (previous) rot ran deep deep way way deeeeeeeeeeeeep).
iii) reasons for not taking action (yet) on those boards may be more strategic than u think. pls think about it. where the preparation is not ripe yet, seeming inaction may lull the competition into a false sense of security. strike only when the time is right, GET IT??!!
iv) i’d put my life on the line for LGE ( dont mean this literally of course haha; but u get the point ). but as they say, to each his own. i respect dissenting views.
hi “john lennon”, i am a HUGE fan haha!
soldier on LGE & co.
from a KL fella.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
cctv is good but not the best solution, i have seen snatch thefts right under my nose on 3 occasions , very busy, commercial area , but no sign of polic, only partking attendants making their rounds non stop. almost everyone i know is a victim by now, also my colleagues who have been attaked and robbed right outside the banks, where are the police, can cctv helps in cases like this, prevention is better than cure , even if cctv helps to catch the culprit , it would be too late most of the time.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Quote from John Lennon:
“Bear this in mind during your meetings with sleepyhead and ask him why he wanted the bridge in the south, not north.”
Looking at the map of Penang, you’ll know why they want the bridge in the South and not in the North. The distance between the island and the mainland is many times further at the southern part…. which to the Umnoputra, translates to bigger contract sum for them. They won’t give a damn if as a result of the longer and costlier bridge, Penangites would have to pay higher toll. All they care is how to maximum the amount of money going into their pockets!
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I think the state government show start rukun tetanga again. This is a good concept also it help to foster the neighboor environment.
Can state government request pay increments for our police force? This might motivated the police to do a better job. Furthermore, attract more people to join the force.
Should DAP, PAS and PKR start creating think tank together? It seems though we’ve alot of talented people that can provide the assistance got improving Malaysia. This would help better relationship between different race and group of people. Furthermore, this can foster a stronger and powerful blog with challenges we’ll be facing.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Word to the Opposition Parties of Malaysia
The last general election is seen as the BEGINNING of the erosion (end?) of the powers of the Barisan National coalition after 50 years in power. The Opposition Parties of Malaysia (namely PKR, DAP, PAS) have been given a golden opportunity to PROVE themselves. DO NOT LOSE THIS OPPORTUNITY! It may never come again.
Much has been promised in the campaigning. Much will be left to be seen whether they will fulfill their promises. When the dust has settled, we want the Opposition state assemblymen and the Opposition members of Parliament to QUICKLY GO AFTER the CORRUPT OFFICIALS that they claimed to know so much about, whether they are ministers or government officers, down to the lowest rank.
The country has suffered much because of CORRUPTION. Therefore we believe that CORRUPTION should be their FIRST TASK in cleaning up Malaysia – expose those who were involved and to root them out must be the FIRST DUTY of the Opposition representatives. We cannot expect the THIEF TO CATCH THE THIEF within the BN Government. The recent order for government officials to declare their assets is just a charade. They should also declare all their bank accounts. We believe some are in Swiss Account or elsewhere. They should also explain where and how they have managed to “get so much to acquire so much.”
The BR (Barisan Rakyat) representatives are the ‘POLICE’ now and our only hope to “CATCH THE THIEVES” who had stolen our country’s wealth and prosperity, mismanaged our resources for so long. All these rightly belong to the people of Malaysia, regardless of race, belief and creed. All those who were involved in corruption must be brought to justice and jailed. All must be rounded up by the Opposition Net. Do not leave any hiding. No one must be let scotch free.
The Rakyat is watching you; especially the bloggers who will quickly pass the word around should those who represent us shrink from their promises. If that were to happen, the confidence of the Rakyat will begin to wane. And if you are proven unworthy to represent the Rakyat, then we will make sure you will lose your job in the next round!
However, if the Opposition Parties can truly PROVE themselves to the public for the next 3-5 years; that they are capable of performing their job well, perhaps we the Rakyat will reward them with the blessing of FORMING the GOVERNMENT – both at State and Federal level in the next general election. We would also advise that they should not get themselves entangled with the POWER BROKERS in their quest for justice; neither should they let themselves be side-tracked with negotiation for a COMPROMISE. If they do, then they are no better than them or just another one of ‘them’. And do not try to fool us either, for we are not blind or deaf. We can see and hear correctly. So, the future of Malaysia has been entrusted into the hands of the politicians, particularly the Opposition politicians since the BN politicians had fallen out of favor. Nevertheless, we urge everyone who believes in God to pray for our politicians and for our country. Only God alone is able to determine the future of our country and answer the desire of our heart.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Your proposal also need time to consider. You think a decision can be easily made within hours or instantly after your presentation?
———————————
Forget about the Temasek proposal for a moment. Let’s talk about the PBA issue.
How long would Guan Eng act to remove the BN (guys) from PBA BoD ?
I am really tired of apologists, whether they be apologist for BN or BR. You guys keep on apologizing for Guan Eng, using every excuse available – not enough time, et cetera, et cetera …
What is the excuse you guys want to use this time, in the PBA case?
Why is Guan Eng not removing the BN (reps) from the Board of Director of PBAHB and PBAPP ??
Excuses won’t make Penang better, please remember that !
Do you guys know that PBA has a Managing Director who is an UMNO appointee? …
….
Do you know that if UMNO wants to (undermine) Penang, they can get this MD to play REALLY FUNNY GAME with PBA – such as investing in a “Water Treatment Project” in the middle of Sahara, where there is no water at all, resulting in the lost of HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS – and Do you know that the Penang State Government as a 50% share holder of PBA, has to FOOT THE BILL FOR ALL THE LOSES ?
If you guys want to talk, TALK WITH FACTS !
Don’t talk cock here ! BN guys have talk enough cock to the people and I don’t need you guys to talk cock anymore.
The reason I want Guan Eng to REMOVE the BN folks from the Board of Directors of PBAHB and PBAPP is that if Guan Eng replace all the BN folks with his own people, that (UMNO appointee) MD of PBA wants to play game, he CAN’T because all his “FUNNY GAME” investments would be vetoed by the Board of Directors.
The situation right now is that both the MD and the BoD of PBA are all populated by BN people, and it would bring a GREAT DISASTER to all of us.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE SERIOUSNESS NOW??
Stop apologizing, please STOP IT !
If Guan Eng did something, I will praise him. But if he REFUSED to do something that HE NEEDS TO DO, I will say so.
One guy even challenged me here in asking me why I don’t want to run for election … JUST WHAT TYPE OF S*** IS THAT?
I thought you guys are supposed to be educated, but it turned out that you guys are just as bad as the BN (reps), and just as stupid as well.
Geeeeeeesh… gimme a freaking break !!
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
“Crime – Cause of
It is a major issue for the Federal Government as well as the State governments.
What Guan Eng should do is to set up a Committe of Experts
to find out the causes of Crime.
There are a number of them.
1. Unemployment problem should be looked into
2. Distribution of Wealth – rich against poor
3. Talk to a taxi driver – he says that he has been
driving a taxi for more than 10,20, or 30 years
but the taxi belongs a wealthy man who has 50 or 100 taxis. It is unbelievable.
The government should take action on this matter. In Singapore only owners should run the taxi”.
….
Agree.. it’s only fair that taxi drivers should be given individual permits and owned their own vehicle. It’s their livelihood and they have family to feed.
I know someone chinese guy who pajak 200++ taxi permits from a dato bumi guy and in turn the chinese guy sewa the permit out at 46 ringgit a day with an Iswara thrown in and the driver become the rightful owner of the car after 3 years.
How can a single person gets 200++ permits?.
I was told that it is near impossible to get approval for even a single taxi permit.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hmm..there are so many options can be done..which i think previous gov was too lazy to put real thoughts..Just give incentives to the cops who can catch the criminal..for snatch thieves, give RM1000/catch. For rape upon found guilty, give RM5000..etc..etc. Then you will find all cops all over places looking for criminal instead of having teh tarik and being reactive instead of proactive..
Aiyo, so many things can be done la..all these people are old mindset..
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
item 35 by “penang” seems urgent. bn or not bn appointee, if that fella has, all this while, been doing a fair, good and transparent job, then it shouldn’t matter at all; but then again we are all accustomed to (and proven correct time and again) corrupt bn “officials” so i supposed “penang”‘s concerns are freaking valid. i cant really say, but “penang” must have solid reasons for his concerns.
still, i am of the view that we cant just do a “nike”(just do it) on all matters. every action has to be well-thought over; the question is now whether LGE&Co has already done that? item 35 is a catalytic piece that should be brought to their attention.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[...] it now emerges that Penang may be in quite a shithole of a situation. These are some of the problems that the new administration has inherited from the [...]
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Yup, Guan Eng and BR have their hands full in cleaning up the s*** left behind by KTK and his (gang).
However, let me state clearly here that LGE and BR can count on true Penangites who will step up to the plate if and when there i any need for help in any way to contribute our time, effort and skills in rehabilitating the Penang we love.
Action must be taken to bring to justice ALL people responsible for the removal and/or destruction of Government file – not only in Penang but also in Perak and Selangor. As it is, the complete silence on the part of Badawi and his top echelon “leaders” (Phoooeey!!!) only confirms my view that the BN is headed and comprises (many) crooks who have betrayed the trust that Malaysians have placed on them (remember all this promises – sorry lah, saya pun lupa? – Correct? Correct? Correct?). LGE (Nazir Jamaluddin in Perak and Tan Sri Khalid in Selangor as well) should set up a special team of investigators, accountants and whoever else is needed, to thoroughly investigate all suspicious deals and make it a point that all perpetrators are brought to justice. There should be NO COVER UP nor “Bagi Chan-lah”!
KTK must explain what happened to the BILLIONS in Penang’s state financial reserves he took over from Lim Chong Eu.
As for the CCTV issue, I must admit that my reaction to that is lukewarm. Have some CCTV by all means (and make sure they are all new, work and are maintained properly) but I would rather that the millions meant for CCTVs will be used by setting up a special corp of security personnel who can work with the police to counter crime – also a good way to provide employment for the unemployed in Penang, right?
As for the various departments. quasi-government organizations, LGE should review the BN installed top level officials. Where is their loyalty now? Have their hands also been tainted during the BN era – and therefore tempted to continue? It would be advisable and preferable for the government to pick up an entire new team to ensure that there is no possible cause for problems later.
I would hope that LGE and BR should take up all these challenges, ensure that they are all on the straight and narrow and be really people orientated with a view – no with the intention, that the BR will not only remain in Penang (as well as Perak, Selangor and elsewhere) for a long time but also be a responsible party that will put an end to the days of a racially bigoted, irresponsible, corrupt and irresponsible government that we suffered for 40 years.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0