How would you rate the performance of the Penang state government so far?
Good? Too early to tell? Could be better? Disappointing?
Here’s one assessment by Khoo Kay Peng.
Do you agree with his analysis?
What do you think of its approach to the economy? the environment – built and natural? accountability? the lower income group including urban pioneers and workers?
Blog reader Mag M says:
It is still too early to tell. They lack experience but they are trying. Give them more time. However, I hope they will look into the flood problems in Penang urgently. I also want to see them come up with programmes to teach the poor people, especially the Malays and Indians on how to earn a decent living like free classes in hair dressing, sewing, crafts, cooking, fish rearing, etc. We cannot be just giving out money to the poor. Teach them how to fish. Show the other states that DAP or PKR led states do not marginalise any community especially the Malays and Indians.
I feel they are the listening government. Quite fresh to compare with those 50 years BN fellows record. Poor support from Federal Government, we can’t expect much. I’ll rate them Fairly Good.
Give them time la. Anyway you look at the overall(National) impact by electing opposition. It’s positive, now the Federal government willing to listen, petrol price coming down, toll reduction proposed. ISA arrested but can also be released. I think we the public will have more goddies coming by the next General election.
Well voters set your coast right.
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A new goverment always makes some mistakes…I will vote for them till the day i die
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For me, the honeymoon is over.
Things that bother me are :
1) Police seem to be blind to ‘rich man area’ and allow them to park cars on no parking area, hence massive jam near St. Xavier.
2) Potholes caused by heavy vehicles due to constructions on the hillside of Tanjung Bungah
3) Floods, floods, floods. Just last night, my area was flooded again. The fifth times in 4 months.
I feel those banners with Raya and Deepavali greetings featuring the CM and the MP/ADun are a waste of money and yes, the new State Government is a bit too defensive and whiney sometimes. I maybe a fan of LGE but not the new state government.
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I would give it a mere PASS. It is currently just slightly better than our previous administration. They could have done much more, did much better.
Furthermore, where is our local election and Freedom of Information Act?
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its less than one year and therefore too early to judge.
there are pluses and minuses. of course, the latest minus must be the tennis fiasco. but, the will learn fast. more importantly, they must hold true to CAT, no matter and reclaim back the land losses.
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To me, it’s alright…
It falters badly in the Pesta thing, the king of tennis controversy is not looking nice…
The feedback from state-organized Penang bridge marathon wasn’t good… the tourism EXCO should apologize and give himself a last warning before resigning… but he doesn’t…
The idea of free Wifi and WiMAX coverage is probably great but then you have weird people telling you it’s harmful…
Still wondering when will the EXCO discuss the local government proposal, and draw the roadmap of local government reform…
Yeah, bad things do come first in writing the report card, but I guess it’s working moderately well in overall…
One thing though, I think CM Lim and co, and also the UMNO opposition are all being too partisan… I don’t think being too partisan does any good to the state/country…
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I think its too soon to even form an opinion given the kind of state that DAP and PR is left with by Gerakan, no thanks to their fantastic years of UMNO-b… carrying and Princeton standard management skills – a state with:
1. No money
2. No future generation industry – another pathetic manufacturing state
3. No proper system in public asset management by MPSP and MPPP
4. Alleged corruption, mismanagement and ‘magic show’ of finance and monies.
5. Chap chai infrastructure management and development
6. Retarded social mentality of most penangites – get a job in the factory …
Whatever it is as a Penangite, I would give this government another 10 years.
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Khoo’s criticisms unlike yours Anil is off base. He should read CM Guan Eng’s Budget Speech before accusing the Penang State Government of lack of vision. The problem is not as Khoo has outlined. It reads more like a polemical or tendentious article than anything else. The title itself belies the “tone” of the article. The problem is the lacklustre attitude of the now in power Penang DAP to immediately restore local government elections, flash floods, etc.
Having said this, Penang will be a truly international city. Penang will survive and thrive as an international city.
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Be careful of Khoo Kay Peng,
He is a former member of the ” Socio-Economic Development and Research Institute ” a Gerakan think tank. He calls himself an ” indepedent” analyst.
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I’m inclined to say Good but decided it’d be too early to tell. The previous govt has set the benchmark so low tht it’d be so easy to out do them. But when we make a comparison with coutries PERCEIVED to hav good governance, I think LGE & Co. are doing pretty well for a novice. The sincerity can be felt, many creative and unorthodox management style brings surprisingly good results.
Of course, they made some blunders. Who doesn’t? But on many instances they come out immediately to admit any wrong doing, and tried to right it. It is easy for critics to nitpick, but everytime before you condemn the new govt, think about this, would you rather this state go back to the BN governance? I know what’s my answer, and I’m quite sure how most Penangites would decide.
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LGE and gang have done a good job so far..theres no doubt about it.He should move faster in clearing the little napoleans who are still around. Although the sore losers ala UMNO seems to be more interested in lodging police reports over anything that PR leaders say or do…keep up the good work.
It will be an impossible task for BN to get back Penang..as long as PR remains united and the Rakyat interests comes first rather then any Datuk/Tan Sri or any Goons…..
Keep it up!!!!
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who is this fellow khoo? isn’t he an ex-member of gerakan?
imagine the huge resistance and huha by the UMNO goons, i see penang is doing quite well bringing changes.
welldone i should say.
i sincerely hope they can manage to bring in the LRT. it will definitely boost up the economy of penang.
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Too early to rate, just barely 8 months .. few months is used to cleaning all the s… and rebuild the team to lead Penang.
Credits to be given
- setting up the WIFI
- open to public on the korean trip
- bringing more investment
- accepting BN parties member to head high post
- progressing on converting leasthold to free hold
- at least no one from them is calling the non-malay -Pendatang
But so far , Penang and Selangor is progressing well and start to adapt … Still long way to go … another 3-4 years ahead before next election .. but i think Penang will progress further with PR .. as gerakan hold it for so long only follow the master UMNO command ..
Good luck to them
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I see them trying very hard.
I do not see any udang di sebalik batu in their endeavours.
I feel the hearts are in the right place.
A few mistakes along the way but hopefully it is a learning process.
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Khoo … in person is a nice chap. He is in the same school with me and I can vouch for that. As for his political views …let’s say I leave it to the individuals to decide.
I jsut want to say is that the person is nice but views are subjective to people, so it does not mean that if his views are contrarian to what you believe, it means the person is not as good.
So let’s not follow the character assasination BS of the UMNO/BN govt. If you disagree with his views, state so but lets not get into character thingy.
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It is still too early to tell. They lack experience but they are trying. Give them more time. However, I hope they will look into the flood problems in Penang urgently. I also want to see them come up with programmes to teach the poor people, especially the Malays and Indians on how to earn a decent living like free classes in hair dressing, sewing, crafts, cooking, fish rearing, etc. We cannot be just giving out money to the poor. Teach them how to fish. Show the other states that DAP or PKR led states do not marginalise any community especially the Malays and Indians.
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well i PR is doing w4ell what you want 100 times better BN keep the good works dont let it down I respect you I hope both Penang and selangor will progress far more not to meation too kedah aand perak doing well too the next election you from PR must take sabaah and sarawaak kick musaaman out of sabah
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Compared to BN, it is fantastic. No double-standard though in checking them out.
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It is unfair to penalize the government base on 8 months performance. It is still in learning curve. As you know, they not only need to clean up previous mess but need to stabilize current administration. If you think you can do it better than them within 8 months, please volunteer yourself outright! To your question posted:- I feel 100% comfortable of what they are doing now. You can’t find it in BN state government, only in Penang!
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The good value in them is they having a “sincere heart”.
They are trying everything for the best of the rakyat. Who will not make mistake? The important thing is they do not repeat the same mistake. I believe they will succeed by overcome all “challenges”.
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Barely 8 months and such a transparent and caring nature in managing the state of Penang…Kudos to Bro LGE and the gang.
He don’t even bother to accept any title to carry out his responsibilities.Unlike many business ppls and BN … whom were so eager and become one themselves…
Penang ada harapan kini….
Syabas,
Saya Anak Malaysia!!!
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We have to be fair to the Penang Guomen.
The federal guomen is sabotaging them and yet I think they have done a good job where transparency, accountability and good governance is concerned.
They are thousand times better than the arrogant, corrupted and ineffective BeeEnd guomen.
If the Rakyat can endure the rule of BeeEnd for the past 50 years, why not let the present state guomen rule for another 10 years before we rate them?
Then maybe we will be able to see a prosperous Penang with a new bridge built with half the cost initiated by the crony company, a comprehensive and effective public transport system, a free port status, a land with high-tech and sophisticated industries, and the people’s per capita income has risen to maybe RM30,000-RM50,000 per household in average.
Yes, I have faith in DSAI, Lim Guan Eng and the PR, and I HAVE A DREAM, what about you?
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A report card in EIGHT months after 50 years of abuse? Anil, I think that is asking too much of a fresh, wet-behind-the-ears set of politicians. People, who were not prepared (although should be) to take over governing, in their wildest dreams.
Ask anyone to thumb through all the local legislation statute books alone will take more than a month. That is without having to attend to daily new duties and fend off disappointed opponents’ attacks both on the streets and in the media? Faced with stone-faced civil service personnel loyal to the previous masters of 50 years?
Come on, give them a break. Each of those ADUNs cannot do all the work without help from the thousands that occupy the desks in the state administrative offices. Guess who they probably voted for?
So, first of all, it has to be a massive public relations exercise. To assure them that their jobs are largely safe. Then, to seek a change in their work attitude and new perspective. Do you think scraping away 50 years of entrenched work ethics can be done in just 9 months?
Give the ADUNs and me a break!
Now, we have people wanting Penang’s floods to be solved in 1 year! Something that took 40 years of damage & neglect to create? Are they so simpleton to think that the situation can be solved simply by digging a few longkangs about the place and the flood situation in Penang is solved?
The best we can do is list out what initiatives the LGE administration have done or doing. Then, a second list, based on priority, of what to do next, and estimated time it takes to get it done, realistically. Then, a 3rd list of what we would like to have to make Penang the Ideal Malaysian State of our dreams.
Forget all the silly chatter and save the bytes for the Opposition baying at the doors of the State Secretariat.
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Learn from Singapore Government on how to run an island
and Penang Island will become great if not better
than Singapore in time to come.
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We are still waiting for the previous Gerakan-led administration to give us an accounting of the widely publicised land scams.
At least, we can be assured that the likelihood of such scams under LGE is virtually nil.
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