Nonetheless, they relentlessly soldier on to make Penang a democratic state that is just, united and cohesive - to be the best that it can ever be. They serve the people first, second and last to turn Penang into a knowledge seeking and prosperous society. In the process, it has weathered countless spanners. Their record of achievement will be the benchmark of their credibility and ability to deliver promises for the next general election.
In the last two years, the government has emphasized good governance which is based on the CAT principle - Competency, Accountability and Transparency - upholding five core principles of justice, freedom, truth, social welfare and piety in God.
Penang has benefited from the thirty policies implemented (as announced in their pamphlet called 30 People-Centric policies which you can download HERE).
The state government launched its 3Es Mission of a People Centric Government to Enable, Empower and Enrich the People. Towards that end, they have sought to:
- enable the people with skills, knowledge and education to provide equal opportunity for all to create wealth
- empower them with fundamental rights, basic freedoms and responsibilities according to the rule of law
- enrich the people by sharing wealth and economic benefits to pursue socio-economic justice
With prudence and strategic budgeting, it turned around a projected 2008 deficit of RM35 million into a record surplus of RM 88 million and a projected deficit of RM40 million in 2009 Budget in a surplus of RM 77 million. With these savings, it then launched the RM100 cash award for all senior citizens above 60 years old w.e.f 20th March 2010.
The Auditor-General’s 2008 Report showed that the government’s fiscal policies succeeded in increasing the state's accumulated funds by RM178.45 million, an increase of 21 percent from RM847.45 million in 2007 to RM1.25 billion last year. Under the previous Barisan Nasional state government, the accumulated funds were at RM847.45 for 2007. The record achievement of surpassing the billion-ringgit mark was historic.
It is also the first state to launch the Partners Against Poverty Programme to wipe out hard-core poverty by ensuring that every family in Penang receives at least RM500 per month. From mid 2010, it will also give a RM1000 cash bereavement to beneficiaries of senior citizens. There are many other initiatives launched including providing water RM100 water rebates per family to 170 000 low and middle income families amounting to RM17 million. Career Assistance & Training (CAT) centres have been set up at the cost of RM10 million to help find jobs for retrenched workers.
Even summons and parking tickets issued to hawkers and drivers respectively before 8th March 2008 have been cancelled. License fees for hawkers and fishermen have been reduced by 50% from 2010.
In their endeavor to make Penang an attractive international city to investors, tourists and also a place of residence for sustainable living, they have done the following:
- Implemented the Penang wireless initiative to provide free internet access to Penangites
- There are plans to establish a 200 acre education hub to make Penang the centre of education excellence)
- Top students(SPM, STPM and huffaz) have been given recognition and cash awards
- Establishment of the Penang Science Council to make Penang a centre of engineering and scientific evidence
- Provision of annual financial assistance of RM11.3 million to Sekolah Agama Rakyat, Chinese, Tamil and missionary schools and independent Chinese secondary schools
- Provision of land for agama and vernacular schools (construction costs funded by Federal government)
- Establishment of gender-friendly and equality programmes that break the glass ceiling
- Provision of disabled-friendly facilities where by Penang has also been acknowledged by UNDP as the best in Malaysia
- Provision of funds to acquire land for places of worship
- Establishment of child care centres to help women to work and pursue their careers
Another feather in their cap is their request to the Elections Commission for local government elections to be held in Penang for restoration of the third vote as promised in their 2008 elections.
With open tenders, Penang has successfully cut down on wasteful spending and corrupt practices and harvested savings of RM20 million including a reduction of 45% in solid waste treatment costs. Anti-corruption measures and programmes that encourage creativity and innovation offer monetary rewards accordingly.
Another achievement is the implementation of "No Plastic Day" to promote environmental protection by reducing plastic bag consumption. They also cancelled the RM25 billion Penang Global City Centre (PGCC) BN crony project and uncovered the Tang Hak Ju land controversy.
In tandem with the World Heritage Site award from UNESCO, the state has restricted the building height to 18 meters to protect, preserve and promote the character of Georgetown. To protect public order and to combat rising crime, the state has also installed CCTVs and implemented community policing.
The allocation for Islamic affairs has been increased from RM12.5 million (under BN) in 2008 to RM20.5million in PR's first budget in 2009 and RM 24.3 million in 2010.
One of the milestones in terms of people's power would be the establishment of the "Speakers Corner" at Esplanade on May 4th as a 'platform of democracy for all Malaysians'. There, people are free to express their views by holding public demonstrations, candlelight vigils, press conferences and other forms of peaceful and artistic expressions.
Clearly, the Pakatan led government has done very well in the last two years but its path has been land-mined with obstacles and interferences from unfriendly quarters who have considerably slowed its progress. I would give a B+/A- for their report card. What did the previous government do for Penang?
If the Pakatan Rakyat government can do so much in Penang despite the odds against them, imagine what could happen if they complete their journey to Putrajaya! Imagine the transformation to Malaysia! Let's make it happen!!!
*Post written based on data from DAP pamphlet on 30 People Centric policies.
johnnie lim First of all congratulations to the Penang Government for a job well done. keep it up and do not slag, and don't give the opposition(read BN) a chance to hijack . Yes, let's make it happen,a change to a clean and responsible government. As long as there is hope I am not afraid to dream.we want change.