PENANG (May 02, 2008): By Himanshu Bhatt
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has turned down the challenge for an open public debate on the contentious issues surrounding the Pertubuhan Bunga Tanjung (PBT), saying that the matter demands legal and technical understanding.
He however welcomed members of the PBT, the organisation for wives of BN elected representatives in Penang, who had invited him to publicly debate the matter, to meet him for discussion.
“This is a question of law. There are implications… Did they act properly? Were they qualified to dissolve the body on March 9?”
Lim reiterated that he wants Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, as adviser of the organisation and husband of PBT head Puan Sri Chui Kah Peng, to explain how they could decide on dissolving the body at its AGM on March 9.
He reasoned that the members’ husbands had then become part of the opposition following the general election the day before, and asked if the wives were still eligible to be PBT members then.
He pointed to Clause 5.1 of the PBT’s constitution which states that the ordinary membership of the group includes wives of state assemblymen and members of Parliament in Penang, except those from opposition parties.
“On March 9, the members were no longer wives of assemblymen and MPs in governing parties. They were in fact wives of elected representatives in the opposition.
“I don’t want to pressurise anyone. We want this to be resolved amicably, and certain steps to be taken if there is anything wrong.”
Lim said this at a press conference after attending the swearing-in ceremony at the State Legislative Assembly’s inaugural session. He wasresponding to the PBT's challenge to him and his chief-of-staff Jeff Ooi to respond within 48 hours to their call for debate.
Lim also questioned if it was proper for PBT to have given away a large part of its funds, meant for Penang-based charities, to its Federal equivalent, Bakti.
“I hope this can be rectified and the money given to Bakti returned so it can be given to the people of Penang.”
Regarding the contents in Ooi's blog that PBT members had objected to, Lim said he would leave it to Ooi to clarify. Ooi is out of the country and is expected back on Monday.
Meanwhile, the first seating of the Penang State Legislative Assembly went smoothly with members from both Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional taking their oaths for the new term. Abdul Halim Hussin and Tan Hock Leong, both from Pakatan, were appointed speaker and deputy speaker respectively without any objection from the house.
Penang State Islamic Council (MAINPP) chairman Shabudin Yahaya, who is the Umno state assemblyman for Permatang Berangan, confirmed he received a letter from the Yang di-Pertuan Agung directing him to continue holding his post till December 2009.
“I am only obeying Tuanku,” he said. “We are obliged to abide by his orders as he is the supreme head of Islamic affairs in this country.”
When approached by reporters, Deputy Chief Minister (I) Mohd Fairus Khairuddin said the Pakatan Rakyat state government would consider seeking an audience with the King on the matter, and stressed they would respect his decision.
Friday, May 2, 2008
CM: Bunga Tanjung should have been handed over - Malaysiakini
Athi Veeranggan | May 2, 08 2:23pm
Since Pertubuhan Bunga Tanjung was not an exclusive association for spouses of Barisan Nasional state assemblypersons and parliament representatives in Penang, the club should not have been dissolved.
More so on March 9, the day after the present DAP-led Pakatan Rakyat had captured the state government from BN with a two-third majority during the national polls.
The state government has demanded former chief minister and Bunga Tanjung advisor Dr Koh Tsu Koon to publicly explain how this could have happened.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said there was no hurry or just cause for Bunga Tanjung to be dissolved since it was a non-government body meant for wives of state assemblypersons and members of both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara from the ruling party.
After all, its official address was the Chief Minister's Office at Level 28 of Komtar. A perusal of the Bunga Tanjung constitution revealed no clause stating it was a ‘BN only’ club.
Since Pakatan Rakyat is the ruling party in Penang while BN is the opposition, Lim said it was ideal for Bunga Tanjung to be handed over to the new administration.
Koh's wife Chui Kah Peng was the last Bunga Tanjung president when the association was dissolved during its annual general meeting attended by 45 members.
Waving a copy the Bunga Tanjung constitution, Lim expressed curiosity over the reasons behind the hasty dissolution of the association.
"The BN wives may have not thought that their husbands would lose power and we too never thought we would wrest power.
"Well it happened, thanks to the political tsunami on March 8 polls. So ideally the association should have been handed over to us and indeed I should be its advisor by virtue of its constitution," he told newsmen when officiating his Air Putih constituency service centre yesterday.
Since Pertubuhan Bunga Tanjung was not an exclusive association for spouses of Barisan Nasional state assemblypersons and parliament representatives in Penang, the club should not have been dissolved.
More so on March 9, the day after the present DAP-led Pakatan Rakyat had captured the state government from BN with a two-third majority during the national polls.
The state government has demanded former chief minister and Bunga Tanjung advisor Dr Koh Tsu Koon to publicly explain how this could have happened.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said there was no hurry or just cause for Bunga Tanjung to be dissolved since it was a non-government body meant for wives of state assemblypersons and members of both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara from the ruling party.After all, its official address was the Chief Minister's Office at Level 28 of Komtar. A perusal of the Bunga Tanjung constitution revealed no clause stating it was a ‘BN only’ club.
Since Pakatan Rakyat is the ruling party in Penang while BN is the opposition, Lim said it was ideal for Bunga Tanjung to be handed over to the new administration.
Koh's wife Chui Kah Peng was the last Bunga Tanjung president when the association was dissolved during its annual general meeting attended by 45 members.
Waving a copy the Bunga Tanjung constitution, Lim expressed curiosity over the reasons behind the hasty dissolution of the association.
"The BN wives may have not thought that their husbands would lose power and we too never thought we would wrest power.
"Well it happened, thanks to the political tsunami on March 8 polls. So ideally the association should have been handed over to us and indeed I should be its advisor by virtue of its constitution," he told newsmen when officiating his Air Putih constituency service centre yesterday.
Challenge to Lim and Ooi - The Star
PENANG: May 2, 2008
Former members of the dissolved Persatuan Bunga Tanjung (PBT) have challenged Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his chief of staff Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi for an open public debate on the handling of the association’s funds.
Former PBT president Puan Sri Chui Kah Peng has given the DAP politicians a 48-hour ultimatum to respond to the invitation.
“The venue, date and methodology of debate will be discussed between representatives upon the acceptance for a debate,” said Chui, wife of the former Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
She said they had faxed a letter of invitation to both of them at the Chief Minister’s office in Komtar.
“We have sought a public debate on the handling of the association’s funds and the manner in which the body was dissolved as baseless allegations were made against us by the two,” said Chui during a press conference in Autocity Juru.
“We feel strongly that any further statements in the media will not be satisfactory.
“They are openly questioning our integrity and dignity in handling PBT’s funds and affairs, so we are prepared to defend ourselves publicly. PBT is a non-governmental organisation registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
“We are not ‘desperate housewives’ as Jeff Ooi had alleged and take that statement as a real insult.”
She pointed out that a large number of former members were professionals.
She said both of them should respond in 48 hours as “everyone’s time was precious”. She, however, declined to state what would happen if the two fail to respond.
Joined by over 20 former PBT members at the press conference, a clearly annoyed Chui said Ooi should act like a responsible MP and check things before accussing anyone.
At the last PBT annual general meeting on March 9, the day after Penang and four other states fell into Opposition hands, PBT members, the state organisation for wives of Barisan Nasional assemblymen and MPs, voted unanimously to dissolve the association.
In earlier statements, Chui said remaining funds amounting to RM590,665 were distributed to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) (RM350,000), the Bureau on Learning Difficulties-PBT centre in Seberang Prai (RM220,000) and three other charitable organisations.
In a blog posting, Ooi stated that Mount Miriam Hospital had yet to receive funds from PBT, but later corrected himself by stating that the hospital, along with the Penang Cheshire Home and Mental Health Association, had received RM3,572.63.
Speaking to reporters after attending Gerakan’s Satu Hati carnival at Penang Indoor Sports Arena here yesterday, Dr Koh denied Lim’s statement in Chinese newspapers that he, as advisor to PBT, was hiding behind his wife’s skirt when he did not want to issue any statement on the matter
“I'm not hiding behind her skirt because I have full confidence in her and her colleagues in settling this issue,'' he said.
Describing his wife as a principled and prudent person, Dr Koh said she and her colleagues were very capable and committed.
He also urged Lim to take up the challenge to debate with the PBT instead of asking him for an explanation.
Former members of the dissolved Persatuan Bunga Tanjung (PBT) have challenged Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his chief of staff Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi for an open public debate on the handling of the association’s funds.
Former PBT president Puan Sri Chui Kah Peng has given the DAP politicians a 48-hour ultimatum to respond to the invitation.
“The venue, date and methodology of debate will be discussed between representatives upon the acceptance for a debate,” said Chui, wife of the former Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
She said they had faxed a letter of invitation to both of them at the Chief Minister’s office in Komtar.
“We have sought a public debate on the handling of the association’s funds and the manner in which the body was dissolved as baseless allegations were made against us by the two,” said Chui during a press conference in Autocity Juru.
“We feel strongly that any further statements in the media will not be satisfactory.
“They are openly questioning our integrity and dignity in handling PBT’s funds and affairs, so we are prepared to defend ourselves publicly. PBT is a non-governmental organisation registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
“We are not ‘desperate housewives’ as Jeff Ooi had alleged and take that statement as a real insult.”
She pointed out that a large number of former members were professionals.
She said both of them should respond in 48 hours as “everyone’s time was precious”. She, however, declined to state what would happen if the two fail to respond.
Joined by over 20 former PBT members at the press conference, a clearly annoyed Chui said Ooi should act like a responsible MP and check things before accussing anyone.
At the last PBT annual general meeting on March 9, the day after Penang and four other states fell into Opposition hands, PBT members, the state organisation for wives of Barisan Nasional assemblymen and MPs, voted unanimously to dissolve the association.
In earlier statements, Chui said remaining funds amounting to RM590,665 were distributed to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) (RM350,000), the Bureau on Learning Difficulties-PBT centre in Seberang Prai (RM220,000) and three other charitable organisations.
In a blog posting, Ooi stated that Mount Miriam Hospital had yet to receive funds from PBT, but later corrected himself by stating that the hospital, along with the Penang Cheshire Home and Mental Health Association, had received RM3,572.63.
Speaking to reporters after attending Gerakan’s Satu Hati carnival at Penang Indoor Sports Arena here yesterday, Dr Koh denied Lim’s statement in Chinese newspapers that he, as advisor to PBT, was hiding behind his wife’s skirt when he did not want to issue any statement on the matter
“I'm not hiding behind her skirt because I have full confidence in her and her colleagues in settling this issue,'' he said.
Describing his wife as a principled and prudent person, Dr Koh said she and her colleagues were very capable and committed.
He also urged Lim to take up the challenge to debate with the PBT instead of asking him for an explanation.
Biggest art gallery in Penang - The Star
May 2, 2008
A PRIVATE company plans to set up the biggest art gallery in Penang at the historical Wisma Yeap Chor Ee on China Street Ghaut, state Tourism, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said.
He said the gallery, to be established soon, would be able to exhibit some 200 paintings compared to the 80 paintings which the state art gallery in Dewan Sri Pinang could display.
“It will complement the state’s effort in promoting arts. In Penang, we do not have an art gallery which is big enough for a large-scale exhibition.
“We really welcome the private company’s move to set up a big art gallery on the island,” he said after launching the prelude exhibition of the 4th New Expres-sion of Asian Art Exhibition at the Simon Tan Art Gallery on Armenian Street yesterday.
Law also said the state government planned to play the liaison role in bringing all local artists and collectors together.
“There are many talented artists as well as enthusiastic art lovers in the state and the state would like to gather them together promote art in the state,” he said.
The prelude exhibition, which ends on May 15, showcases the artworks by 31 local artists who will represent Malaysia in the New Expression of Asian Art and The Academic Forum of Asian Art in Henan, China, in mid-May.
In her speech, exhibition organising committee chairman Becky Choong urged the state government to give more support to local artists.
A PRIVATE company plans to set up the biggest art gallery in Penang at the historical Wisma Yeap Chor Ee on China Street Ghaut, state Tourism, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said.
He said the gallery, to be established soon, would be able to exhibit some 200 paintings compared to the 80 paintings which the state art gallery in Dewan Sri Pinang could display.
“It will complement the state’s effort in promoting arts. In Penang, we do not have an art gallery which is big enough for a large-scale exhibition.
“We really welcome the private company’s move to set up a big art gallery on the island,” he said after launching the prelude exhibition of the 4th New Expres-sion of Asian Art Exhibition at the Simon Tan Art Gallery on Armenian Street yesterday.
Law also said the state government planned to play the liaison role in bringing all local artists and collectors together.
“There are many talented artists as well as enthusiastic art lovers in the state and the state would like to gather them together promote art in the state,” he said.
The prelude exhibition, which ends on May 15, showcases the artworks by 31 local artists who will represent Malaysia in the New Expression of Asian Art and The Academic Forum of Asian Art in Henan, China, in mid-May.
In her speech, exhibition organising committee chairman Becky Choong urged the state government to give more support to local artists.
Problems managing housing schemes - The Star
May 2, 2008
ALL 42 state housing projects in Penang are being managed on deficit funds as many residents failed to settle their monthly maintenance fees, said state Town, Country Planning and Housing Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai.
Citing the Gat Lebuh Noordin flats as an example, he said RM124,981.49 was spent on maintaining the flats last year but the collection amounted to only RM75,944.80.
“So far, the accumulated debt owed by residents there is RM30,550,” said Wong, adding that 21 owners had not been paying their maintenance fees for two years while one owner owned nine years of fees.
“I appeal to the residents to pay the maintenance fees on time so that the housing department can use the funds to upgrade the infrastructure,” Wong said during a visit to the Gat Lebuh Noorin block of 384 flat units on Wednesday.
Site visit: Wong (yellow shirt) visiting the Gat Lebuh Noordin flats.
He said the RM15 monthly maintenance fee of the Gat Lebuh Noordin flats was the lowest in the state.
On the strata title ownership, he said 69% of Gat Lebuh Noordin flat owners had obtained their strata titles while 37% of Kampung Melayu flat owners and 82% of Rifle Range flat owners had done so.
Wong added that the state government’s long-term objective was to form a joint management body (JMB) and management corporation with the residents in due time.
Wong and Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Lau Keng Ee He will hold a dialogue session with the Gat Lebuh Noordin Flats Residents Association at 8.30pm on Sunday to solve problems faced by residents.
“Reminders have been sent to residents who have not paid maintenance fees for more than three months,” Wong said.
Asked if action would be taken against those who did not pay up, he said the state preferred to listen to the residents first.
ALL 42 state housing projects in Penang are being managed on deficit funds as many residents failed to settle their monthly maintenance fees, said state Town, Country Planning and Housing Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai.
Citing the Gat Lebuh Noordin flats as an example, he said RM124,981.49 was spent on maintaining the flats last year but the collection amounted to only RM75,944.80.
“So far, the accumulated debt owed by residents there is RM30,550,” said Wong, adding that 21 owners had not been paying their maintenance fees for two years while one owner owned nine years of fees.
“I appeal to the residents to pay the maintenance fees on time so that the housing department can use the funds to upgrade the infrastructure,” Wong said during a visit to the Gat Lebuh Noorin block of 384 flat units on Wednesday.
Site visit: Wong (yellow shirt) visiting the Gat Lebuh Noordin flats.
He said the RM15 monthly maintenance fee of the Gat Lebuh Noordin flats was the lowest in the state.
On the strata title ownership, he said 69% of Gat Lebuh Noordin flat owners had obtained their strata titles while 37% of Kampung Melayu flat owners and 82% of Rifle Range flat owners had done so.
Wong added that the state government’s long-term objective was to form a joint management body (JMB) and management corporation with the residents in due time.
Wong and Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Lau Keng Ee He will hold a dialogue session with the Gat Lebuh Noordin Flats Residents Association at 8.30pm on Sunday to solve problems faced by residents.
“Reminders have been sent to residents who have not paid maintenance fees for more than three months,” Wong said.
Asked if action would be taken against those who did not pay up, he said the state preferred to listen to the residents first.
Ministry releases RM500,000 - The Star
May 2, 2008
THE Tourism Ministry has finally handed over half of the RM1mil which it had promised to fund the 6th International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew World Championship (IDBF CCWC) that Penang is hosting.
State Tourism Development, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said the ministry recently released RM500,000 to the organiser, the Penang International Dragon Boat Festival (PIDBF) committee, which he is also chairing.
Law had on April 14 said that the ministry promised to allocate RM1mil when the state placed its bid to host the event three years ago but transferred only RM500,000 to the Penang Tourism Action Council (PTAC) late last year and withheld approval for the funds to be transferred to the committee.
Besides the ministry, Law said yesterday that the state government had allocated RM200,000 for the event, and the Penang Water Supply Corporation as the main sponsor was spending RM880,000 on the infrastructure costs at the site.
He said a further RM500,000 was expected from private sector sponsors, bringing the sum to about RM2mil.
However, Law asked for more sponsors to come forward and said he would have to appeal to the Penang and Federal Governments for more funds.
“Our budget is only RM4mil, compared to the $32mil (RM98.56mil) spent by the Canadian Government on the 5th CCWC held in Canada two years ago,” he told reporters at a logo presentation ceremony by the sponsors.
THE Tourism Ministry has finally handed over half of the RM1mil which it had promised to fund the 6th International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew World Championship (IDBF CCWC) that Penang is hosting.
State Tourism Development, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said the ministry recently released RM500,000 to the organiser, the Penang International Dragon Boat Festival (PIDBF) committee, which he is also chairing.
Law had on April 14 said that the ministry promised to allocate RM1mil when the state placed its bid to host the event three years ago but transferred only RM500,000 to the Penang Tourism Action Council (PTAC) late last year and withheld approval for the funds to be transferred to the committee.
Besides the ministry, Law said yesterday that the state government had allocated RM200,000 for the event, and the Penang Water Supply Corporation as the main sponsor was spending RM880,000 on the infrastructure costs at the site.
He said a further RM500,000 was expected from private sector sponsors, bringing the sum to about RM2mil.
However, Law asked for more sponsors to come forward and said he would have to appeal to the Penang and Federal Governments for more funds.
“Our budget is only RM4mil, compared to the $32mil (RM98.56mil) spent by the Canadian Government on the 5th CCWC held in Canada two years ago,” he told reporters at a logo presentation ceremony by the sponsors.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Plan for more flights from Penang to Hong Kong - NST
GEORGE TOWN: May 1, 2008 By Phuah Ken Lin
Talks are on-going to increase the frequency of the Penang-Hong Kong direct flights, chief minister Lim Guan Eng said.
Lim said there were only three Penang-Hong Kong direct flights offered by Cathay Pacific Airways weekly.
He said the number was insufficient to cater to the influx of trade and business partners from Hong Kong.
"We are in an advanced stage of negotiation with the airline on the matter.
"By having more direct flights, we hope to be able to forge closer bilateral ties with the city," he told a press conference after a courtesy call on him by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office director Lam Kam Kwang here today.
Lim said plans are afoot to have new direct flight between Penang and more international destinations including the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He said UAE and other Middle East countries offer bountiful business opportunities for Penang.
"Increased direct air links will further boost the state economic, trade and tourism industries," he added.
He did not elaborate further.
Talks are on-going to increase the frequency of the Penang-Hong Kong direct flights, chief minister Lim Guan Eng said.
Lim said there were only three Penang-Hong Kong direct flights offered by Cathay Pacific Airways weekly.
He said the number was insufficient to cater to the influx of trade and business partners from Hong Kong.
"We are in an advanced stage of negotiation with the airline on the matter.
"By having more direct flights, we hope to be able to forge closer bilateral ties with the city," he told a press conference after a courtesy call on him by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office director Lam Kam Kwang here today.
Lim said plans are afoot to have new direct flight between Penang and more international destinations including the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He said UAE and other Middle East countries offer bountiful business opportunities for Penang.
"Increased direct air links will further boost the state economic, trade and tourism industries," he added.
He did not elaborate further.
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