A new leash on life for Penang comes GE14?

Secretary General of DAP, Lim Guan Eng has announced for the coming 14th General Election, “We will abolish graft activities (eg. 1MDB), GST and the toll imposed at the North-South Expressway…” in the DAP National Convention held in Shah Alam, Selangor in December 2016. 

It is déjà vu all over again of the 13th General Election, when DAP Penang led by Lim has promised to abolish all toll collection existed on Penang state, which captured the support of the majority Penang people to fulfill those promises. 

It has been ten years since, the Penang Bridge is still collecting to toll from commuters traversing the bridge for the concessionaire to upgrade and maintain the facilities and services. The Sungai Nyior toll with demonstrations held against the RM0.50 charge per entry is currently collecting RM1.20 per entry per motorcar. 

Penangites are certainly going to be taken for another ride in the coming election. Since the Opposition led by DAP ruled Penang, affordable housing to the population becomes the least of their concerned. Concrete and luxury housing becomes priority. The hills and water catchment areas intruded upon illegal activities. Jobs are scarce with industries pulling their plugs and environmental issues disheartening. 

Another vote. Another lie to the faces of Penang people and Malaysians.

Gadai Nyawa Ambil Gambar ‘Wefie’ Atas Jambatan P.Pinang

Walaupun laporan global menyebut lebih ramai orang maut akibat mengambil ‘selfie’ berbanding diserang jerung, ternyata bahawa rakyat Malaysia masih masih mahu mengambil gambar berani mati.

Terbaharu, kes yang berlaku pada petang Sabtu lalu apabila seorang penunggang motosikal berdiri di tembok Jambatan Pulau Pinang untuk mengambil ‘wefie’ bersama teman-temannya.

“Salah seorang daripada mereka berdiri di atas tembok sambil memegang batang ‘selfie’ manakala yang lain berdiri di atas laluan kecemasan untuk bergambar,” kata seorang pembawa trak tunda, Tan Chin Leon yang menunggang motosikal melalui Jambatan Pulau Pinang setiap hari.

“Kira-kira lapan atau sembilan kesemuanya. Mereka kemudiannya menuju ke pulau.”

Gambar ‘wefie’ itu dimuat naik di Facebook, sehingga mencetuskan kekecohan orang ramai.

“Dia mungkin boleh lemas,” kata seorang pengguna Facebook yang hanya mahu dikenali sebagai Shah Gsr sambil menambah lelaki itu boleh terjatuh dari jambatan sekiranya angin kuat.

Seorang netizen, Lan Appollo berkata, lelaki berkenaan tidak mengambil berat terhadap keselamatan dirinya sendiri.

“Ini yang anda boleh panggil kegilaan berselfie,” kata Lan Appollo.

“Seorang lagi netizen, yang mahu dikenali sebagai Bro Lain memberi pandangan bahawa banyak usaha yang perlu dilakukan sekiranya lelaki tersebut terjatuh ke laut.

Ketua Polis Daerah Timur Laut, ACP Mior Faridalathrash Wahid mengakui insiden tersebut bukan satu perbuatan jenayah tetapi ia merupakan aksi yang berbahaya.

Orang ramai diminta menasihatkan mereka yang mengambil gambar seumpama itu.

Beliau berkata, tiada laporan polis dibuat berhubung insiden.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/01/02/man-flirts-with-death-for-killer-shot-motorcyclist-stands-on-guardrail-at-penang-bridge-for-wefie-dr/

Penangites’ Future Seems Bleak…

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, bodacious accusations on the Federal Government of sabotaging foreign direct investment (FDI) into the state, could be interpreted as a hard and loud retaliatory act against the two graft related offences while in the office. 

The outbursts and conduct unbecoming of the Chief Minister and his goons, certainly has impacted the people of the state due to inept administration and poor relationship with the Federal government resulting in deteriorating investments and future of Penangites. 

The negative perception by Lim and his administration made the headlines not restricting the domestic borders but across the economic globe is well translated through the FDI and domestic investments into the state over the span of five years:

• Year 2011 – MIDA approved RM9.1 billion of RM56.1 billion investments; 109 projects (DI; RM1.96 billion and FDI; RM7.146 billion). Penang ranks First.
• Year 2012 – MIDA approved RM2.471 billion of RM41.1 billion investments. 115 projects (DI; RM1.344 billion and FDI; RM1.126 billion).
• Year 2013 – RM3.912 billion of RM52.1 billion worth of investment was approved by MIDA to Penang. 119 projects (DI; RM2.117 billion and FDI; RM1.794 billion). Penang, ranked Fourth.
• Year 2014 – Penang’s approved investment stood at RM8.16 billion of RM71.852 billion total investment to Malaysia. 169 projects (DI; RM3.048 billion and FDI; RM5.113 billion). Penang took Third position.
• Year 2015 – RM6.724 billion of RM74.693 billion approved investment went to Penang. 107 projects worth (DI; RM2:22 billion and FDI; RM4:49 billion). Penang at Fifth rank.
• Year 2016 (Jan - Jun) – RM2.668 billion approved by MIDA in 52 projects of RM19.621 billion total investment. Penang was positioned Third.

- Source: MIDA yearly reports. 

Question: Chief Minister Lim, would an Oil and Gas (O & G) investment or any industries without facilitation or infrastructures considered a fair arrangement with preference given to Penang? 

Obviously, the statistics reflected a downward trajectory; whereupon Penang no longer an attraction to top high tech investments. Lim and his administration, now faces reality of their undoing. The huge investments enjoyed in Penang previously are much credited to the BN led government, while the current state administration joyously claims credit. 

One noticeable reaction by the state government is the constant denials of which now turned to a blame game. Nothing constructive or bold efforts to mend the ties.

Hypocrite In Action

When you want money, you act like a spoilt brat and hand out your hand demanding money. 

When you have the money, you will tell your supporters that it is the DAP's flood mitigation project. 

Let the Penang people suffer since you people are the ones who voted for a useless Opposition that allows so many property developments that build mostly upmarket homes for the rich foreigners and local towkays. 

One of the repercussions of over development is that hills are laid barren and floods occur when rivers are full of rubbish and sediments.

There must be easily a million DAP supporters in Penang alone. Pass out the Tin Milo. If each one of these staunch DAP supporters fork out RM360 x 1 million, you already get RM360 million. 

Why beg from the federal government? Why must the federal government support a state that turns it back on BN? 

You think your Tokong is great, you think the DAP has done so well for the state and has so much reserves…go it alone!

DAP BOLEH! DAP MATI!

End Of The Mocking Bird…

In recent days, the Penang Chief Minister; Lim Guan Eng and his administration have their hands full with controversies and dilemma. Lim is facing a two graft-related offences surrounding his position as a public servant that circumvent the acquisition of two lots of agricultural land for residential development during a state planning meeting on 18th July 2014. 

Lim’s trial is a reminiscent of two other state leaders whom had been hauled up for corruption; the former Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan (faced three corruption charges in 1991 while still in the office. He was found guilty of one charge but later acquitted). 

Another, by the former Selangor Mentri Besar; Dato’ Dr Khir Toyo, who was charged after he stepped down. He was sentenced to one year jail term and recently paroled. Dr. Khir had obtained two plots of land and a house from a company lower than the purchased price. 

In both instances, Datuk Pairin and Dr Khir are disqualified as per the Article 48 of the Federal Constitution states, any Member of Parliament or Assemblyman when fined more than RM2,000 or jailed for more than a year in a criminal charge. 

Lim, however has made several public remarks (in public speeches and press conferences), insulting the judiciary and justice system to the extent of causing uncertainty over the fair determination of his cases and risks being disqualified as an elected representative; an MP and a State Assemblyman of Penang. 

The Attorney-General Office has applied leave from the High Court and granted to begin contempt proceedings against CM Lim Guan Eng. A precedent was set when former Bukit Bintang MP, Wee Choo Keong was disqualified from remaining as an MP after he was convicted for contempt of court by the then Supreme Court on 14th July 1995. 

Lim and his administration should reflect on their promises of a Competent, Accountable and Transparent government to the Penangites. Let righteousness and justice prevail!

Trouble Ahead in Penang?

Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin, Member of Parliament Padang Besar acting as an advisor to the newly registered party Penang Front Party, is rather odd and very distasteful to the National Front. 

His action can tarnish the collaboration between Gerakan and MCA in harnessing the plight of the Chinese community particularly in Penang as well as in Malaysia in general. 

Has he forgotten the history of the ruling coalition; following Gerakan's overwhelming success back in 1969 amidst political conflict with MCA then? 

With the 14th General Election rumored next year; Zahidi should gear up to maintain his political focus in his home state rather than meddling in the affairs of others. 

Certainly the interests of Gerakan and MCA are paramount to garner the support of voters in Penang.

Ada Udang Di Sebalik Batu?

Bayangkan anda seorang pegawai agensi Kerajaan pusat, premis digunakan luar dari khidmat biasa tetapi terpaksa menanggung tunggakan bil letrik mencecah RM2329.85, kemudiannya dijadikan antara tujuh (7) "alasan" Tadika KEMAS tidak disambung khidmat kepada masyarakat setempat...

Begitulah situasi yang dihadapi, Tabika KEMAS di premis Surau Al-Kautsar, Pangsapuri Serina Bay, Pulau Pinang setelah sekian lama, membuka pintu kepada pendidikan awal anak-anak Khariah setempat dan berdekatan dalam masa yang terhad dan demi alasan kekangan tempat dimangsakan. 

Bertitik tolak Jawatankuasa Surau Al-Kautsar, sesi tahun 2016 hingga 2019 yang baru dilantik, kesempitan ruang untuk aktiviti dan sumber kewangan telah menggenakan sewaan RM2,000 sebulan ke atas KEMAS yang menyediakan khidmat pendidikan awal kepada lebih kurang 30 orang pelajar yang dikenakan RM25.00 sebulan kepada waris mereka. 

Walaupun tidak berpadanan kegunaan Tabika dan kutipan serta kepenggunaan diluar masanya, jumlah tersebut dinafikan dilewatkan bayaran TNB oleh pihak KEMAS dan telah dijelaskan sepenuhnya. Pihak pengurusan Surau kemudian beralih mendakwa, keputusan mereka mendapat sokongan penduduk untuk menutup khidmat Tabika KEMAS, sedangkan dalam bancian lebih dari 75% bersetuju Tabika itu diteruskan! 

Perbincangan yang melibatkan waris Tabika, pegawai KEMAS dan Jawatankuasa Surau Al-Kautsar sejak 27 Januari 2016 berakhir dengan kata putus menutup tabika tersebut berkuatkuasa 25 Nov 2016, dengan akujanji mencari tapak baru untuk tabika, namun tidak disempurnakan sehingga ini sepertimana dalam persuratan. 

Pastinya, sikap berdiam diri dan berdolak dalik pengurusan Surau Al-Kautsar sangat membimbangkan. Apa yang dapat dilihat adalah ini antara satu pendekatan bersifatkan politik dengan peluang anak-anak Khariah mendekati Islam dan pelajaran dijadikan bahan pertaruhan. Malahan bantahan dari waris-waris Tabika bagaikan tidak ambil enteng akan keperluan dan kebajikan mereka. 

Pendidikan awal adalah satu tuntutan menurut Agama ke atas umat Islam; Fardhu Kifayah. Lebih malang lagi, bagi jiwa-jiwa kerdil yang baru meniti kehidupan, usaha mendekatkan Agama perlu dilihat di dalam skop yang lebih besar, bukannya dengan membenihkan kebencian ke rumah Allah. 

Mutakhir ini, dek kefahaman politik berpuak-puak, segala usaha penyatuan dan santunan hidup diletak di bawah kanta pembesar; memilih dan mengasingkan andai tidak sehaluan. Semoga ada “jiwa-jiwa besar” dapat campurtangan dan menyelesaikan kemelut demi Tauhid kepada Allah Subha nahu wa ta’ala.

Penang Ferry Service: Past and Present

Penang Ferry Service is the oldest ferry service in Malaysia. It too resembles an icon to the state of Penang. This famous ferry service began operation in 1920 under the management of a Chinese owned company. However, today, it is operated by Penang Port Sdn. Bhd. (PPSB) that has the concession to operate the port till 2023 under a privatisation agreement with the federal government. 

Located in the state of Penang, this famous ferry service connects Sultan Abdul Halim terminal in Butterworth and Raja Tun Uda terminal at Weld Quay, George Town in Penang Island. 

The ferry were designed for vehicles to roll on/roll off with two decks. Generally the pedestrian passengers would occupy the upper deck, fitted with pivoting benches and the lower deck for motor vehicles. 

In its glory days, the ferry runs a fleet of nine ferries named after the islands in Malaysia. The ferry was the main link of transportation until the Penang Bridge was commissioned in 1985, an alternative route in and out of the island. 

Then tragedy struck! On 31st July 1988, the Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal bridge collapse and 32 lives perished while 1, 674 people injured. The cause of the calamity…overcrowding of pedestrian passengers on the left passageway and the steel bar of the jetty giving way of the burdening weight. 

The ferry service though revived, however began to plunge into the reds. Several ferries were sold for scrap or purposes elsewhere. Since January 2016, PPSB introduced cutbacks on the number of ferries servicing the route to the dismay of the regular ferry commuters. 

For regular ferry commuters working on the island or the mainland, time is the utmost concerned. The reduced number of ferries had put them in a lurch; hurriedly to get to their destination or forced to wait the next trip. During peak hours or weekends and holiday seasons, motor vehicles would line in queues to the main road causing traffic jam. 

PPSB’s decision to operate three ferries in their effort to cut down costs due to the declining numbers of vehicles between the mainland and the island; increased intervals is not received well by the commuters. 

Other than the re-branding or rather re-imaging the ferries exterior with striking colors, is there anything else to be expected for the die-hard commuters?