By Melissa Chi
SOURCE: CLICK ME
October 23, 2011
Pakatan Rakyat leaders condemn Muhyiddin's 'implicit' support to the allegations against Lim Guan Eng's son.
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has accused Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin of giving “implicit support to pro-Umno bloggers” over attacks against Lim Guan Eng’s son.
“The deputy prime minister needs to have his head seriously inspected. The onus to prove the scurrilous allegations are on the accusers, and not those unjustly maligned.
“Datuk Seri Najib Razak must reprimand his Deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for giving implicit support to the Umno bloggers to defame and destroy an innocent 16-year-old child,” DAP Publicity Chief Tony Pua said.
Muhyiddin said yesterday that Lim’s denying sexual harassment claims against his son was inadequate.
The Umno deputy president said if the Penang chief minister “thinks it is important to correct the information, then he has to come up with a strong statement.
“Mere denial is not enough,” he said.
Pro-Umno bloggers had claimed that Lim’s son had assaulted a 16-year-old schoolmate and tried to escape punishment by using his father’s name.
Lim had denied the allegations on Tuesday, saying he was furious with the “barbaric lies” made about his teenage son by “pro-Umno ferocious beasts”.
The DAP held a press conference on Wednesday identifying the photograph of the purported “victim” used by Umno bloggers was that of 21-year-old chess grandmaster Anya Sun Corke who is studying at Wellesley College in the United States.
Corke had also denied ever having met or heard of the 16-year-old schoolboy.
Pua said despite Lim having nothing else to prove, Muhyiddin “has chosen to lend credence to the despicable rumours and give support implicit to the Umno bloggers” by stating that “mere denial is not enough”.
“Instead of taking stern action against those perpetrating the evil lies to humiliate the Penang Chief Minister’s family, especially since they are all Umno leaders and members, Tan Sri Muhyiddin has chosen to defend the indefensible,” he said.
PKR Vice-President N. Surendran also called Muhyiddin’s remarks a “deliberate and calculated” attempt to keep the slander against Lim’s son alive.
“The DPM’s conduct is thus no different from that of the malicious pro-UmnO bloggers and Umno Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin who instigated and perpetuated this vicious rumour about this innocent boy.
“It is extremely disturbing to note that slander and baseless character attacks of a sexual nature has become the norm for Umno and the ruling Barisan Nasional pollitical coalition.
“Umno and BN are relying on personal attacks, vulgar abuse and blatant falsehood for political survival,” he said.
FURTHER READINGS:
1) http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/muhyiddin-police-probe-best-way-to-clear-air-over-guan-engs-son/
2) http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/bahasa/article/najib-jangan-heret-keluarga-kerana-politik/
Showing posts with label Penang. Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Penang. Politics. Show all posts
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Penang’s state debt has dropped 95pc, says Guan Eng
By Debra Chong
SOURCE: CLICK ME
October 26, 2011
GEORGE TOWN, Oct 26 – Penang has sliced RM600 million or 95 per cent of the state’s debt since the Pakatan Rakyat took over the state in March 2008, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said today.
The first-term chief minister pointed out the state debt stood at RM29.66 million as of last month compared to the massive RM630.13 million four years earlier.
Guan Eng also said Penang’s Budget 2012 will be a surplus even as it is expected to undergo a deficit of RM107.78 million because the state has regained RM1.13 billion in reserves as at end of last year.
With such glowing figures in the black, the Johor-born DAP leader could not help but point to his political foes helming Putrajaya which saw the national debt grow as much as RM190 billion or 71 per cent within the same period.
The federal government’s debt rose to RM456 billion this year from RM266 billion at end 2008, Lim said.
In a Deepavali speech in George Town, Lim said “this success propelled the Penang state government to introduce all kinds of welfare programmes to benefit state residents.”
He promised families earning RM500 a month and less – classified as harcore poor – that they will get RM600 a month, an extra RM100 in relief aid.
Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, said the state will also give RM100 pocket money a year to each student in Primary 1 and 4, as well as Secondary 1 and 4 starting next year to lessen the burden on parents who have to buy their children new uniforms and other school gear.
He said the new scheme, which he called “Skim Pelajar Emas”, will cost RM10 million.
“The state government proposes to pay this amount every year and not just five years once or only during election season,” Lim vowed at the state’s Deepavali open house celebration in Times Square today.
The federal government recently announced a one-off payment of RM500 cash aid to all households earning below RM3,000 and RM100 to all primary and secondary schoolgoers in its Budget 2012.
Lim had offered other similar goodies in the weeks leading up to Deepavali, including a promise to the Hindu Endowment Board to inject RM1 million in funds yearly.
Last Sunday, he handed over keys to brand new double-storey homes to 24 families who were evicted from Kampung Buah Pala two years ago.
SOURCE: CLICK ME
October 26, 2011
GEORGE TOWN, Oct 26 – Penang has sliced RM600 million or 95 per cent of the state’s debt since the Pakatan Rakyat took over the state in March 2008, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said today.
The first-term chief minister pointed out the state debt stood at RM29.66 million as of last month compared to the massive RM630.13 million four years earlier.
Guan Eng also said Penang’s Budget 2012 will be a surplus even as it is expected to undergo a deficit of RM107.78 million because the state has regained RM1.13 billion in reserves as at end of last year.
With such glowing figures in the black, the Johor-born DAP leader could not help but point to his political foes helming Putrajaya which saw the national debt grow as much as RM190 billion or 71 per cent within the same period.
The federal government’s debt rose to RM456 billion this year from RM266 billion at end 2008, Lim said.
In a Deepavali speech in George Town, Lim said “this success propelled the Penang state government to introduce all kinds of welfare programmes to benefit state residents.”
He promised families earning RM500 a month and less – classified as harcore poor – that they will get RM600 a month, an extra RM100 in relief aid.
Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, said the state will also give RM100 pocket money a year to each student in Primary 1 and 4, as well as Secondary 1 and 4 starting next year to lessen the burden on parents who have to buy their children new uniforms and other school gear.
He said the new scheme, which he called “Skim Pelajar Emas”, will cost RM10 million.
“The state government proposes to pay this amount every year and not just five years once or only during election season,” Lim vowed at the state’s Deepavali open house celebration in Times Square today.
The federal government recently announced a one-off payment of RM500 cash aid to all households earning below RM3,000 and RM100 to all primary and secondary schoolgoers in its Budget 2012.
Lim had offered other similar goodies in the weeks leading up to Deepavali, including a promise to the Hindu Endowment Board to inject RM1 million in funds yearly.
Last Sunday, he handed over keys to brand new double-storey homes to 24 families who were evicted from Kampung Buah Pala two years ago.
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Fw. A Violent Mamak in Penang
If you are really a Chinese, please stop patronizing a mamak business!
Stop sending your cars to BEYOND for washing. The tall guy right behind Ghani is the owner of the BEYOND in Arratoon Road . Pg.
All the Chinese must unite and teach these mamaks a good lesson.
Don't go to Mydin store and don't eat at any mamak outlets.
A Mamak : Political hatred without any sense ... Antics of Mohamed Ghani Abd Jiman
Watch the incident here
http://www.gotopenang.com/content/mohd-ghani-businessman-komtar-penang-brought-coffin-adun-komtar-ng-wei-aik
Last Saturday, a mamak from Penang by the name of Mohamed Ghani Abd Jiman bought 2 coffins and sent them to Pg Minister Lim Guan Eng and Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik. You can read the news at, for those who don't already know:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/3/13/nation/8258879&sec=nation
This Mamak had also threatened Lim to a fistfight previously.
If this mamak had taken the time to do some fact finding, he would have found out that in Chinese culture, to a living person receiving a coffin, it is actually an auspicious event. That's why a lot of older Chinese buy a coffin and keep it in their houses for use when they die. It is believed that having such a coffin can bring good luck and fortune and keep death away. However the mischievious person sending the coffin to a living person will have, excuse the pun 'grave' consequences coming his way!
The mamaks of Penang have been very vocal and very much against the Chinese there. Even Gerakan, a BN component party had been on the receiving end of their foul mouths. A few years ago, and I can't recall what actually happened, the Chinese there started boycotting mamak businesses, especially their restaurants and foodstalls. And it was effective!
Their businesses started suffering. One restaurant owner complained that the Chinese were putting sand onto their rice bowls. Its our money...our choice ! Served them right. I recall that some Chinese even boycotted some gas stations on suspicions that it belong to mamaks. They use their foul mouths, we use our economic strength. It's all cause and effect!....since authorities are not doing anything to stop his schoolboy pranks, so its one thing after another and getting bolder and bolder thinking he has gain support even from the police !
So why am I sending this email to you? I am hoping to start a viral email to all and sundry to start doing the same. Avoid all mamak businesses all over Malaysia . Mydin stores are mamak-owned so for those of you who want to help in this campaign, you know what to do. Boycott racist Petronas too.
Mamaks don't do much business with Chinese, so there's no threat from them.
But still some local Chinese do patronise mamak eateries.......
High time All of Us refrain from eating mamak food !
Please send this email to as many of your friends as possible. There are already other people in the blog world doing the same. Teach these mamaks a lesson!
If you're hungry for teh tarik and roti canai, go to Indian restaurants/stalls instead !
Stop sending your cars to BEYOND for washing. The tall guy right behind Ghani is the owner of the BEYOND in Arratoon Road . Pg.
All the Chinese must unite and teach these mamaks a good lesson.
Don't go to Mydin store and don't eat at any mamak outlets.
A Mamak : Political hatred without any sense ... Antics of Mohamed Ghani Abd Jiman
Watch the incident here
http://www.gotopenang.com/content/mohd-ghani-businessman-komtar-penang-brought-coffin-adun-komtar-ng-wei-aik
Last Saturday, a mamak from Penang by the name of Mohamed Ghani Abd Jiman bought 2 coffins and sent them to Pg Minister Lim Guan Eng and Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik. You can read the news at, for those who don't already know:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/3/13/nation/8258879&sec=nation
This Mamak had also threatened Lim to a fistfight previously.
If this mamak had taken the time to do some fact finding, he would have found out that in Chinese culture, to a living person receiving a coffin, it is actually an auspicious event. That's why a lot of older Chinese buy a coffin and keep it in their houses for use when they die. It is believed that having such a coffin can bring good luck and fortune and keep death away. However the mischievious person sending the coffin to a living person will have, excuse the pun 'grave' consequences coming his way!
The mamaks of Penang have been very vocal and very much against the Chinese there. Even Gerakan, a BN component party had been on the receiving end of their foul mouths. A few years ago, and I can't recall what actually happened, the Chinese there started boycotting mamak businesses, especially their restaurants and foodstalls. And it was effective!
Their businesses started suffering. One restaurant owner complained that the Chinese were putting sand onto their rice bowls. Its our money...our choice ! Served them right. I recall that some Chinese even boycotted some gas stations on suspicions that it belong to mamaks. They use their foul mouths, we use our economic strength. It's all cause and effect!....since authorities are not doing anything to stop his schoolboy pranks, so its one thing after another and getting bolder and bolder thinking he has gain support even from the police !
So why am I sending this email to you? I am hoping to start a viral email to all and sundry to start doing the same. Avoid all mamak businesses all over Malaysia . Mydin stores are mamak-owned so for those of you who want to help in this campaign, you know what to do. Boycott racist Petronas too.
Mamaks don't do much business with Chinese, so there's no threat from them.
But still some local Chinese do patronise mamak eateries.......
High time All of Us refrain from eating mamak food !
Please send this email to as many of your friends as possible. There are already other people in the blog world doing the same. Teach these mamaks a lesson!
If you're hungry for teh tarik and roti canai, go to Indian restaurants/stalls instead !
Friday, October 22, 2010
Fwd: Penang CM's Merdeka Message
Subject: Penang CM's Merdeka message
To:
Date: Thursday, September 2, 2010, 7:55 PM
Presumably Penang's CM Lim Guan Eng's Merdeka message was NEVER published by the mainstream media. He had put the BN govt to shame with tangible results from his clean governance of the State.
Subject: Breaking Views
Breaking Views
Let Penang be a beacon of hope for Merdeka — Lim Guan Eng
AUG 31 — As we celebrate our 53 Merdeka, the country appears more divided than ever by racial, religious and even personal hatred. Fomenting racial and religious intolerance and hatred is now the rule rather than the exception.
The biggest challenge is whether Malaysians can rise above the language of violence used by extremists and fulfil our destiny of Merdeka 53 years ago of a shared society belonging to all and promising prosperity to everyone. Penang is under constant siege and attack by extremists and political foes from BN and Umno who use lies to create tension and division.
Amongst the lies still used is that the Penang state government has banned the Maulidur Rasul procession, banned Pasar Ramadan, replaced the YDP Agong’s name in Friday sermons with the Chief Minister’s name, only evict Malay villagers and traders. Up till today, the state government has not evicted a single Malay or non-Malay household and when enforcement action is taken against traders, only 30 per cent is Malay. Even when eviction is done by private landowners, the state government has also intervened to negotiate a settlement.
It is because our opponents are bankrupt of ideas that they resort to race and religion. Race and religious hatred is the final weapon of the extremists who can not win any debate based on facts and logic or find any weaknesses in PR’s performance.
Their desperation can be shown when the Penang PR government can not be faulted for being corrupt, abuse of power or wasting public funds. None of PR leaders have become rich or own luxury homes. We lived in a moderate lifestyle and travel by economy air wherever we can.
PR has reduced corruption with our CAT governance of Competency, Accountability and Transparency by turning around a projected deficit of RM35 million in 2008 to a record surplus of RM88 million. This was repeated again in 2009 by turning around a projected deficit of RM40 million to a surplus of RM77 million. For the first time in history, Transparency International praised Penang’s CAT governance for fighting corruption.
That is why the state government can afford its senior citizens appreciation programme of annual payout of RM100 to all over 60 years and RM1,000 one-off to beneficiaries of senior citizens which costs nearly RM20 million. That is why the state government can give RM100 water rebate in 2008 to all poor and middle-income households costing nearly RM 20 million. That is why the state government can give money annually to partially-assisted schools of RM 11.3 million. That is why the state government can double the allocation for Islamic affairs to RM 24.3 million in 2010 as compared to RM 13.5 million under BN in 2008.
All these successes in implementing a people-centric government have made our political opponents desperate. They become more desperate when Penang became the first state to ban sports betting(judi bola) after the Federal government issued the licence. Due to Penang’s lead, the Federal government had no choice but to cancel the judi bola licence. Certainly many BN and UMNO leaders must be angered by the cancellation of the judi bola licence because of loss of revenue of hundreds of millions of ringgit.
Penang will forge ahead in establishing the first people’s government in Malaysia that listens to the people, do the people’s work and give hope to the people. We will also remain steadfast in barring sports betting in the state as this is the common aspirations of 1.5 million Penangites regardless of race.
Let Penang be a beacon of hope for Merdeka, democracy, integrity, public morality and a people’s government as well as a symbol of national unity where Penangites live together in harmony and mutual respect.
* Penang 2010 National Day Message By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In Komtar, George Town On 31 August 2010.
Monday, October 11, 2010
PENANG EXCEEDED RM1 Billion in revenue in 2009 - 1st time in 52years
I don't think this good news will appear in our local newspapers afraid that their license may be revoked if they do publish this news.Please circular this email to all in your mailing list so that they know which party to vote for during the coming 13th General Election. You must take into account your children and/or grandchildren's future so vote for the right party.
PENANG EXCEEDED RM1 Billion in revenue in 2009 - 1st time in 52 years
Congratulations to Penang!!!
Congratulations to all the People of Penang for voting in a better govt.
While Pahang which Governed by Barisan Nasional for past 52 years is facing bankruptcy.
Penang is praised by Global Anti-Corruption watchdog Transparency International for its anti corruptions efforts.
What makes Malaysia all of a sudden to be ranked on 47 out 180 countries ?
Answer : The Malaysian People made the right choice by denying 2/3 majority enjoyed by Barisan Nasional all this years. It's a well check and balance by Pakatan on Barisan that led to this 47th position.
If Malaysians wants to enjoy this, then you should know what to do in the next election !!!
Anyway congrats to Pakatan Led by DAP in Penang. In just 18 months CM Lim turned around Penang into corrupt free State. Shame on BN & ex-CM Dr Koh of Gerakan.
As ex-Gerakan President Lim KY had said: "BN/Gerakan has lost Penang forever."
"RM 10 billion in losses from corruption per year is a huge sum and there must be greater commitment from the Federal government towards fighting corruption to ensure that 27 million Malaysians can benefit from this RM 10 billion dividend from successfully combating corruption."
Global anti-corruption watchdog ranks Malaysia 47th least corrupt, praises Penang <http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/38529-global-anti-corruption-watchdog-ranks-malaysia-47th-least-corrupt-praises-penang><http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/38529-global-anti-corruption-watchdog-ranks-malaysia-47th-least-corrupt-praises-penang%3E>
GEORGE TOWN, Sept 24 รข€“ Global corruption watchdog, Transparency International (TI), has ranked Malaysia as the 47th least corrupt nation in the world and commended the island state of Penang for its anti-corruption efforts.
Denmark, New Zealand and Sweden was listed by TI as the top three least corrupt countries as measured by the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which ranks countries in terms of the degree to which businessmen and country analysts perceive corruption to exist among public officials and politicians.
Singapore, Finland, Switzerland, Iceland, Netherlands, Australia and Canada rounded off the top least corrupt countries.
Malaysia came in 47th out of 180 countries in the index, tied with Hungary and Jordan.
The CPI is part of TI's Global Corruption Report (GCR) 2009 released yesterday.
In its report on Malaysia, TI highlighted the Malaysian practice of the "revolving door" whereby individuals move from government to business, or business to politics, and back again, and estimated that corruption could cost Malaysia as much as RM10 billion a year.
"Significant government participation in the private sector and considerable business participation in politics means that the movement of gatekeepers to players and players to gatekeepers has a negative influence on the concept of checks and balances," said TI.
"The complexity of the relationships between politics and the public and private sectors means that corruption may take place with impunity. Until drastic action is taken to separate the cozy relationship between government, business and politics, the anti-corruption effort will remain no more than a token gesture," said TI.
Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng says he is "humbled" by the recognition by TI and added that he was concerned over the fact that that corruption could cost Malaysia as much as RM10 billion a year รข€“ an amount equivalent to 1 or 2 per cent of GDP as pointed out by the GCR when it cited the findings of the special government business facilitation task force Pemudah and the World Bank.
Additional report contents that were of concern to Lim was Malaysia's per capita spending of only RM5 on anti-corruption efforts and the fact that only about 10 per cent, or just 7,223 potential corruption cases, of the total 71,558 reported between 2000 and 2006 were investigated by the Anti Corruption Agency, the precursor of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, with a conviction rate of less than one percent.
"The GCR 2009 concluded that this illustration of the Malaysian government's inaction in the light of the serious corruption allegations, along with its seeming inability to catch the big fish instead focusing on the 'small fry', suggests that what anti-corruption efforts exist are mere tokens," said Lim.
"RM 10 billion in losses from corruption per year is a huge sum and there must be greater commitment from the Federal government towards fighting corruption to ensure that 27 million Malaysians can benefit from this RM 10 billion dividend from successfully combating corruption."
Lim also today announced that the state has managed to cut about RM36 million or 12 per cent of in operating expenditure this year due to its efforts to curb corruption.
"Transparency International' s recognition of anti-corruption efforts by the Penang state government through CAT (Competency Accountability And Transparency) governance is backed up by savings of nearly 12 per cent of the 2008 Penang state budget of RM 36 million from operating expenditure. This RM 36 million savings has allowed the state government to carry out social programs and implement its people-oriented government," said Lim.
TI said that the Penang state is the first Malaysian state government to implement the open tender system for government procurement and contracts.
It also recognized the state government's directive barring administrators and state executive councilors from making any new land applications and efforts to attract professionals to serve on various boards, such as the Penang State Appeals Board.
"On behalf of the Penang state government, we feel humbled by the recognition given by a world renowned body such as Transparency International and would redouble efforts to ensure the anti-corruption reforms are institutionalized and ensure more professionals are appointed to key bodies. Fighting corruption generates savings for the people," said Lim.
He added that the two local authorities in Penang are expected to save another RM34 million over three years from a "transparent" negotiation over the price of solid waste disposal that reduced the rates agreed to by the previous Barisan Nasional administration by a further 42.4 per cent.
Lim said that the savings would go towards the state government's "3E" programme to "enable" the people with skills and knowledge so that they have an equal opportunity to create wealth, "empower" them with fundamental rights and basic freedoms, and "enrich" the people by sharing wealth and economic benefits.
Now it is Penang Boleh - Vote wisely for a better Malaysia.
PENANG EXCEEDED RM1 Billion in revenue in 2009 - 1st time in 52 years
Congratulations to Penang!!!
Congratulations to all the People of Penang for voting in a better govt.
While Pahang which Governed by Barisan Nasional for past 52 years is facing bankruptcy.
Penang is praised by Global Anti-Corruption watchdog Transparency International for its anti corruptions efforts.
What makes Malaysia all of a sudden to be ranked on 47 out 180 countries ?
Answer : The Malaysian People made the right choice by denying 2/3 majority enjoyed by Barisan Nasional all this years. It's a well check and balance by Pakatan on Barisan that led to this 47th position.
If Malaysians wants to enjoy this, then you should know what to do in the next election !!!
Anyway congrats to Pakatan Led by DAP in Penang. In just 18 months CM Lim turned around Penang into corrupt free State. Shame on BN & ex-CM Dr Koh of Gerakan.
As ex-Gerakan President Lim KY had said: "BN/Gerakan has lost Penang forever."
"RM 10 billion in losses from corruption per year is a huge sum and there must be greater commitment from the Federal government towards fighting corruption to ensure that 27 million Malaysians can benefit from this RM 10 billion dividend from successfully combating corruption."
Global anti-corruption watchdog ranks Malaysia 47th least corrupt, praises Penang <http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/38529-global-anti-corruption-watchdog-ranks-malaysia-47th-least-corrupt-praises-penang><http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/38529-global-anti-corruption-watchdog-ranks-malaysia-47th-least-corrupt-praises-penang%3E>
GEORGE TOWN, Sept 24 รข€“ Global corruption watchdog, Transparency International (TI), has ranked Malaysia as the 47th least corrupt nation in the world and commended the island state of Penang for its anti-corruption efforts.
Denmark, New Zealand and Sweden was listed by TI as the top three least corrupt countries as measured by the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which ranks countries in terms of the degree to which businessmen and country analysts perceive corruption to exist among public officials and politicians.
Singapore, Finland, Switzerland, Iceland, Netherlands, Australia and Canada rounded off the top least corrupt countries.
Malaysia came in 47th out of 180 countries in the index, tied with Hungary and Jordan.
The CPI is part of TI's Global Corruption Report (GCR) 2009 released yesterday.
In its report on Malaysia, TI highlighted the Malaysian practice of the "revolving door" whereby individuals move from government to business, or business to politics, and back again, and estimated that corruption could cost Malaysia as much as RM10 billion a year.
"Significant government participation in the private sector and considerable business participation in politics means that the movement of gatekeepers to players and players to gatekeepers has a negative influence on the concept of checks and balances," said TI.
"The complexity of the relationships between politics and the public and private sectors means that corruption may take place with impunity. Until drastic action is taken to separate the cozy relationship between government, business and politics, the anti-corruption effort will remain no more than a token gesture," said TI.
Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng says he is "humbled" by the recognition by TI and added that he was concerned over the fact that that corruption could cost Malaysia as much as RM10 billion a year รข€“ an amount equivalent to 1 or 2 per cent of GDP as pointed out by the GCR when it cited the findings of the special government business facilitation task force Pemudah and the World Bank.
Additional report contents that were of concern to Lim was Malaysia's per capita spending of only RM5 on anti-corruption efforts and the fact that only about 10 per cent, or just 7,223 potential corruption cases, of the total 71,558 reported between 2000 and 2006 were investigated by the Anti Corruption Agency, the precursor of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, with a conviction rate of less than one percent.
"The GCR 2009 concluded that this illustration of the Malaysian government's inaction in the light of the serious corruption allegations, along with its seeming inability to catch the big fish instead focusing on the 'small fry', suggests that what anti-corruption efforts exist are mere tokens," said Lim.
"RM 10 billion in losses from corruption per year is a huge sum and there must be greater commitment from the Federal government towards fighting corruption to ensure that 27 million Malaysians can benefit from this RM 10 billion dividend from successfully combating corruption."
Lim also today announced that the state has managed to cut about RM36 million or 12 per cent of in operating expenditure this year due to its efforts to curb corruption.
"Transparency International' s recognition of anti-corruption efforts by the Penang state government through CAT (Competency Accountability And Transparency) governance is backed up by savings of nearly 12 per cent of the 2008 Penang state budget of RM 36 million from operating expenditure. This RM 36 million savings has allowed the state government to carry out social programs and implement its people-oriented government," said Lim.
TI said that the Penang state is the first Malaysian state government to implement the open tender system for government procurement and contracts.
It also recognized the state government's directive barring administrators and state executive councilors from making any new land applications and efforts to attract professionals to serve on various boards, such as the Penang State Appeals Board.
"On behalf of the Penang state government, we feel humbled by the recognition given by a world renowned body such as Transparency International and would redouble efforts to ensure the anti-corruption reforms are institutionalized and ensure more professionals are appointed to key bodies. Fighting corruption generates savings for the people," said Lim.
He added that the two local authorities in Penang are expected to save another RM34 million over three years from a "transparent" negotiation over the price of solid waste disposal that reduced the rates agreed to by the previous Barisan Nasional administration by a further 42.4 per cent.
Lim said that the savings would go towards the state government's "3E" programme to "enable" the people with skills and knowledge so that they have an equal opportunity to create wealth, "empower" them with fundamental rights and basic freedoms, and "enrich" the people by sharing wealth and economic benefits.
Now it is Penang Boleh - Vote wisely for a better Malaysia.
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