A friend of mine provides an eye-witness account and pictures of the pro-NEP demonstration around Komtar, Penang, this afternoon. (The Komtar tower houses the offices of the Penang state government offices and the Chief Minister.) The crowd, which included several Umno leaders and reps in the state, were protesting against Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s declaration that the new DAP-led state government would discontinue New Economic Policy (NEP) policies.
Here is the eye-witness account:
At about 2.55pm, I was walking through Komtar and out from the third floor at the Maybank entrance. At first, I saw people lining the balcony railing looking down to three FRU trucks being loaded up with personnel. There was a strong police presence (though not intimidating), vehicles and personnel and a curious but not ruffled crowd.
When I asked, I was told the new chief minister was coming. A bit of a heavy welcome, I thought. So I followed the crowd and walked to Jalan Ria where I could both see and hear a large banner-waving crowd.
As I could not hear what they were chanting and could not decipher their banners, I can only describe what I saw and felt. Firstly, there was, at that time, no sense of tension either from the crowd or the marchers. The marchers at the front were young mainly male and evidently Muslim. Further back, the marchers were a mix of ages and sexes as well as ethnicities, though I would say they were probably all Muslim – Indian and Malay.
All seemed to be peaceful when I left the scene. Although there was a helicopter overhead, there didn’t seem to be any tear gas or water cannon truck lurking in the background, just FRU directing the march and guiding the traffic.
One thing though – there was a slight awkwardness in the marchers… and unfamiliarity… as if they were not from Penang, at least not from the island. They looked a little out of their familiar territory – just an observation.
———-
Well, thankfully everything ended peacefully. Indeed, the FRU should be commended for acting with restraint in sharp contrast to the way their counterparts in KL handled the Hindraf protests.
Earlier, theSun quoted Chief Minister Guan Eng as saying:
“We believe in the freedom of speech and assembly as long as it is peaceful. Anybody who wants to protest, we have no qualms about it but please do it based on facts and not based on certain interests or to try and test the state government,” he said.
Speaking in a press conference after a meeting with 21 Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in his office in Komtar, Lim said the state government is a united front that should not be tested on their commitment to represent all Penangites.
“Don’t test us on our commitment towards establishing integrity and accountability and don’t test us on our commitment to listen to all the voices of Penangites,” he said.
“If they want to come and give their views, we are willing to listen but if they want to demonstrate, that is their right. I hope they won’t provoke sentiments that are not true,” he added.
He was commenting on a plan by certain groups to stage a protest in Komtar against the state government’s stand in not using the New Economic Policy (NEP) but an open tender system instead.
“We will not back down on the open tender system because the NEP is associated with corruption, cronyism and inefficiency,” Lim reiterated.
“We want an open tender system but they raised so much hue and cry. If they want to test us, they can go ahead and test us. We have the full exco support on this and we won’t back down on that,” he said.
Earlier, on his meeting with the 21 Muslim organisations, Lim again reiterated that the state government has no intention of sidelining any group or races.
“We are a state government for all and we listen to the voices of the people and we want to represent everyone in Penang,” he said.
He reassured Muslims that the state government emphasised on integrity and the status of Islam in the state will never be disputed.
“Please do not listen to any rumours about the state government wanting to tone down Azan (the call for prayers) or anything like that. In fact, this is the first time I’ve heard about such things,” he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysiakini quotes Zaid Ibrahim, the former Umno MP for Kota Bharu as saying that Guan Eng should not have been too hasty:
“I find it very shocking to see today that DAP is being very arrogant too. First day in office – Lim Guan Eng (Penang chief minister) made this statement about NEP,” he said.
“This is not the time to stir everyone’s feelings. Our race relations are still fragile and those elected should just stop talking and get on with the job.”…
“A good leader should be able to say the good part of NEP, which is to help the marginalised group, should be continued. The NEP which helps selected individuals to enrich themselves will be stopped. That’s all he should have said, not provocative statements,” said Zaid.
“This is something which Guan Eng should be mindful of. TV3, the newspapers and the radio stations must also stop pitting the Malays against the non-Malays. It is so dangerous.
Interestingly enough, Penang Umno leaders have proposed to the federal government to withdraw funding for all mega-projects in Penang. Guan Eng has described the call as akin to cutting their nose to spite their face – and an act of revenge.
Actually, Umno’s call to end the Penang mega projects such as the Penang Outer Ring Road could be a blessing in disguise. Everyone knows that Penang is already terribly congested. A delay in the mega projects would give civil society groups and the new state government in Penang more time to look into more sustainable alternatives to improve public transport, preserve the environment, reduce traffic and create more green spaces and parks. Guan Eng should explore these alternatives rather than rely on mega projects that earn huge profits for a few privileged corporations.The state government must also implement development projects that truly empower and uplift the lives of marginalised communities – in other words, people-centred, holistic development – rather than put much hope on mega projects.
Here is an article I wrote for Aliran Monthly:
Is the BN’s economic model sustainable?
Is our current model of economic development sustainable in the long-run, wonders Anil Netto. What will happen when our oil wells dry up? What has been the environmental cost? These are issues that our political parties – both the BN and the Opposition – must address. Full article
No related posts.
Clearly the losers, UMNO(BN) are stiring up the feelings by bringing in indian muslims from the mainland. If they continue not to uphold democracy and making things so difficult for the barisan rakyat in the 5 states and continue their past to make the UMNO putra richer, at the expense of the common folks we must unite again to throw them out totally in the next elections.
Bravo Guan Eng and team, I salute all of you, do a good job and be there for many years to come. Be fair to all and get rid of those bad hats in the MPPP and MPSP who are making things so difficult for those trying to renew and get licences. yek
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
1
anil,
if they are going to get upset about losing, might as well dun call for an election…
if everytime during the elections, these people want to pull threats another may 13…threatening this and that…then dun have elections…
the komtar demostrations is a clear cut example of umno’s behaviour.
…
no wonder racial divide in nthis country will never heal…..
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
1
ive seen pas is so quiet on this peneng isues, pkr & dap ada berani,
…………………tak caya kat pas
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Why the protester only from BN people only? if really not satisfy should have different people take part on the protest from every party. i think they lost the election so they hope can use protest to WIN back?if like this can then everywhere malaysia can happen any protest to WIN back so why need election?just gain people to protest to WIN la but say the true la since our PM Abdullah in position as PM all the things raise and said need keep raise again who will not affraid….i need a PM can help us not add more burden to us i dont think our PM can do it (Abdullah) if cannot better step down and let who have ability to step up and HELP ok….
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
I grew up calling myself Chinese. I know my nationality as Malaysian, and statehood as Penangite. But I could never bring myself to call myself a Malaysian when people ask me what my race was. The answer is still Chinese.
But I sincerely hope one day, that I could answer differently. That I could proudly call myself of Malaysia Race. I love Malaysia. I love the people, the land, and oh yes, the food too. But today, I remain “Chinese”, as long as there are some race which are “more equal” than the other, as long as there are some race enjoying more privelege than the other.
2008 is the turning point. Fortunately for Malaysia. Otherwise, it could very well achieve utopia, where you would have almost 100% population of the priveleged race. Simply because the other races have left for better place where there is real equality.
One day, there will only be one race – Malaysia. Can we share this little dream of mine?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
Is the NEP still exist? The NEP already lapsep upon expiry in the 1990s. The successor of NEP is National Development Policy (NDP). It is unhealty for political leaders of different of different races to be for or againts the NEP purely on racial prejudice.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
LGE should be careful walking on thin line, THINK BEFORE YOU ACT. It was very noble to discard NEP straigth away but you must know Malaysia. LGE would have anticipate this protest and knew it was coming. He should have prepare with some Malay leaders (PKR or PAS) to support him. ACTUALLY WHERE ARE THEY WHEN LGE NEEDS THEM?
I BELEIVE NEP SHOULD BE PROGRESSIVELY HANDLED INTELLIGENTLY BY PHASES UNTIL IT DISAPPEARES.DO IT IN 2 YEARS.
GOOD LUCK BA…..THE RAKYAT IS LOOKING AT YOU
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
BOTH OPPOSITION AND BN SHOULD BE AWARE EMOTIONS RUNS HIGH ON RACIAL ISSUES, ESPECIALLY IN MALAYSIA.
DON’T PUT THE RAKYAT ON YOUR POLITICAL AGENDA…CARE FOR THEM
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Stop using racial issues to take over Malaysians. DEB is a thing for the past. you do not see some new contractor getting government contracts. Only the cronies of UMNOs get them. So what is the point of DEB?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
1 
1
Few days ago I had read the local news paper and it was reported that they are not going to be like Singapore. The … UMNO people must overview that the developement of our neighbourhood country is much better that ours. Because they evenly distribute the wealth among all races. UMNO stop your dirty politics and if can, help our new CM to develope Penang. Congrates to Mr Lim Guan Eng and people of Penang.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
HI, Malaysian
We, voters in Penang are matured group. We know that we no longer need a government that only harps on issue and make communial preferences. We want a muhibah government that looks into the people of the land. Regardless the race and gender of the group. We know that Malays on the state of Penang is lagging behind the Chinese and Indians are marginalised to some extend. This was the result of our so Called NEP. NEP gives out “Tongkat” to the UMNOputras and expect them to run. The Chinese and Indians are given bicycles and of course, they modified them to become trishaws. With Trishaws, they convert into taxi and carry cargos. That is why you see them progress…Ha..Ha….. I suggest, through away the Tongkat, let’s work together with the rest and we should prosper together. With the new government; we hope the “Penang NEP” will be more focus on the poor and remove the cronie and corrupt system from the Barrisan Government. Let’s joint hand
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Hmm, sangat mengecewakan melihat sikap pemimpin UMNO P.Pinang meminta kerajaan pusat menarik balik semua projek.. Mereka hanya memalukan diri sendiri dan menunjukkan betapa bodohnya diri mereka..
Apa yang saya faham, mereka bertindak begitu disebabkan rasa kecewa yang amat sangat sebab mereka x dapat lagi segala projek di P.Pinang ..
Golongan yang paling terasa kekalahan bn di penang ialah mereka yang mendapat projek2 selama ini ..
Di tempat saya tinggal,saya kenal beberapa orang umno yang berjawatan arkitek selalu mendapat projek2.. mereka memang kaya .. tapi jiran2 termasuk saya hanya golongan pertengahan saja ..
Mereka ingat melayu semua sokong UMNO.. Tapi saya sendiri undi DAP baru2 ini walaupun saya melayu
Dalam Islam pun, tidak boleh membezakan kaum .. Harus diberi peluang sama rata … barulah ada saingan yang sihat .. dan ADIL!!
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I have yet to see the common peoples protest to the abolishment of the NEP, not those UMNO cronies and their NGO allies.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
hai wakil umno,la ni menjerit 2x pasai melayu,bangsa n agama.masa ada kuasa dulu,semua kontrak gabui kat hampa.sampai bini org pun hampa pun gabui.nak tarik rapid penang,tarik lah.org melayu yg undi hampa jugak yg susah.bodoh punya cadangan.dok kat mana hampa pilih ketua mcm ni.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
UMNO UMNO…
sudah ludah jilat balik..
demonstrasi plak tak kene tempat..
kalau bersih dulu yang ade tujuan yang jelas pon kene sapu..
ini takde ape2 polis2 sume buat relax je..
bias bias…
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
When I read the news about Hindraf will go on march again against somebody wron doing I am happy to hear it. As I read along Hindraf using an 8 years girl to submit the pertition that really kills all my mood. Whoever wrong doing in the politics are all sellfish adults. PLEASE leave the young children out. They have no need for children to be there.
I am sorry if I offen someone but I am more sorry that these people using children as a gimmick. Sincerly I don’t feel pity to whatever your are protesting when these people using innocent children to gain something from it.
DO NOT ABUSE YOUNG CHILDREN IN POLITICS…….
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[...] Najib ’s liberalisation measures: Due to Malaysia’s declining economic fortunes and burdening deficits, Najib must institute liberalisation measures to increase national competitiveness and which will be used against him by fundamentalists such as PERKASA (read here, here, here and here); [...]
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[...] Najib ’s liberalisation measures: Due to Malaysia’s declining economic fortunes and burdening deficits, Najib must institute liberalisation measures to increase national competitiveness and which will be used against him by fundamentalists such as PERKASA (read here, here, here and here); [...]
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[...] Najib ’s liberalisation measures: Due to Malaysia’s declining economic fortunes and burdening deficits, Najib must institute liberalisation measures to increase national competitiveness and which will be used against him by fundamentalists such as PERKASA (read here, here, here and here); [...]
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0