Feb 10, 2009 By DERRICK VINESH
NIBONG TEBAL: States ruled by Pakatan Rakyat are still strong despite rumours that Barisan Nasional might topple the governments in those states, says DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.
He said Pakatan had faith in its assemblymen and that they would not cross over as what had happened in Perak.
He said the party would also not ask its assemblymen and MPs to sign an “Aku Janji” document (pledge of loyalty) as was once practised by Barisan Nasional to prevent party-hopping.
“We have faith in our assemblymen and there is no need for an Aku Janji. Loyalty from the mouth is not as important as loyalty from the heart,” he told newsmen at Jawi assemblyman Tan Beng Huat’s Chinese New Year open house here Monday.
DAP won 29 parliamentary seats and 79 state seats in the last general election.
However, Jelapang assemblyman Hee Yit Foong quit the party last week and became an independent, pledging her support for Barisan.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Guan Eng: Don ‘t harp on funds allocation - Sun
GEORGE TOWN (Jan 18, 2009)
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has urged the Penang Chinese Town Hall (PCTH) not to harp on the state government’s priority in fund allocation.
He said the funds were limited and could only be used for social activities which benefitted the state government.
Speaking to reporters after putting up Chinese New Year cultural and heritage celebration banners in the city today, Lim reiterated that the PCTH celebration is a private function, not a state initiative.
It was reported last week that the state government did not give the allocation of RM15,000 to PCTH due to the economic crisis.
"The issue should be put to rest, as PCTH received the allocation from the federal government through the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry recently," Lim added.
He said the state government will hold its Chinese New Year celebrations at Campbell Street from 6.30pm to 10.30pm on Jan 29.
The Chinese New Year cultural and heritage celebrations will be held in the George Town heritage area on Feb 1, from noon to midnight, and will feature cultural performances.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has urged the Penang Chinese Town Hall (PCTH) not to harp on the state government’s priority in fund allocation.He said the funds were limited and could only be used for social activities which benefitted the state government.
Speaking to reporters after putting up Chinese New Year cultural and heritage celebration banners in the city today, Lim reiterated that the PCTH celebration is a private function, not a state initiative.
It was reported last week that the state government did not give the allocation of RM15,000 to PCTH due to the economic crisis.
"The issue should be put to rest, as PCTH received the allocation from the federal government through the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry recently," Lim added.
He said the state government will hold its Chinese New Year celebrations at Campbell Street from 6.30pm to 10.30pm on Jan 29.
The Chinese New Year cultural and heritage celebrations will be held in the George Town heritage area on Feb 1, from noon to midnight, and will feature cultural performances.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Penang waives premium for leasehold title change - Star
GEORGE TOWN: Dec 21, 2008
Some 20,000 owners of low and medium-cost flats developed on state land need not pay a premium to convert their leasehold titles to freehold status.
The exemption was made ''to give hope'' to low-income homeowners for the coming new year, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said after presenting aid to the underprivileged in Komtar.
''The decision was made at the state executive council meeting yesterday.
''These flat owners will only have to pay the processing fees for the applications.
''The majority of those who will benefit are those who own flats under the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and PDC Properties housing schemes,'' he said.
In June, Lim announced that residential leasehold landowners in Penang could apply for their property to be converted to freehold status upon paying a land premium and processing fee.
Lim said the state might consider giving those who had landed leasehold property on state land a discount on the premium price.
On another matter, Lim said Penang would boycott Arianna Events Management " the organiser of the aborted Kings of Tennis event.
''We supported the event because we took into account the views of people like Penang Heritage Trust president Dr Choong Sim Poey and Penang Tourism Action Council (PTAC) chairman Datuk Kee Phaik Cheen, who both supported the project.
''Now, the organiser has failed to deliver.''
Lim said the government would not make the same mistake again. ''Once bitten, forever shy,'' he said.
On Saturday, the company's director Arianna Teoh agreed to restore the damaged Esplanade field to its original state, five weeks after the event was cancelled.
Some 20,000 owners of low and medium-cost flats developed on state land need not pay a premium to convert their leasehold titles to freehold status.
The exemption was made ''to give hope'' to low-income homeowners for the coming new year, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said after presenting aid to the underprivileged in Komtar.
''The decision was made at the state executive council meeting yesterday.
''These flat owners will only have to pay the processing fees for the applications.
''The majority of those who will benefit are those who own flats under the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and PDC Properties housing schemes,'' he said.
In June, Lim announced that residential leasehold landowners in Penang could apply for their property to be converted to freehold status upon paying a land premium and processing fee.
Lim said the state might consider giving those who had landed leasehold property on state land a discount on the premium price.
On another matter, Lim said Penang would boycott Arianna Events Management " the organiser of the aborted Kings of Tennis event.
''We supported the event because we took into account the views of people like Penang Heritage Trust president Dr Choong Sim Poey and Penang Tourism Action Council (PTAC) chairman Datuk Kee Phaik Cheen, who both supported the project.
''Now, the organiser has failed to deliver.''
Lim said the government would not make the same mistake again. ''Once bitten, forever shy,'' he said.
On Saturday, the company's director Arianna Teoh agreed to restore the damaged Esplanade field to its original state, five weeks after the event was cancelled.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Guan Eng warns Gamuda about making allegations - Sun
Dec 18, 2008 By Opalyn Mok
GEORGE TOWN:
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has warned Gamuda Bhd to think carefully before making allegations against the state government.
"Don't play the fool with the Penang state government," he said in response to Gamuda's statement today that its RM12.5bil double-tracking project linking Ipoh to Padang Besar was delayed due to land acquisition problems in Penang.
"My advice to Gamuda is to think carefully before they bring up allegations that we caused the delay," said Lim.
He said MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between Gamuda and MMC Corp Bhd, was issued a stop work order back in October because they had damaged the river bund and caused floods in several areas on the mainland.
"The company had admitted causing the problem and even paid compensation to a farmer for losses he suffered due to the floods, and then they went and told the Transport Ministry that they did not cause the floods," he said.
Lim said he will prepare a full reply to Gamuda's statement tomorrow but repeated his warning to the company to not play around with the Penang state government'.
It was reported on Wednesday that Gamuda group managing director Datuk Lin Yun Ling said the double tracking project will be delayed by at least a year due to the delay in acquiring land in Penang.
He reportedly said there are substantial delays in Penang due to the huge number of squatters between the railway and the rights of reserve.
Lin said the government should have handed the land over within nine months of the start of the contract but that it will take at least another year for the land to be handed over.
The project, which commenced in January, is expected to be completed in early 2013.
GEORGE TOWN:
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has warned Gamuda Bhd to think carefully before making allegations against the state government."Don't play the fool with the Penang state government," he said in response to Gamuda's statement today that its RM12.5bil double-tracking project linking Ipoh to Padang Besar was delayed due to land acquisition problems in Penang.
"My advice to Gamuda is to think carefully before they bring up allegations that we caused the delay," said Lim.
He said MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between Gamuda and MMC Corp Bhd, was issued a stop work order back in October because they had damaged the river bund and caused floods in several areas on the mainland.
"The company had admitted causing the problem and even paid compensation to a farmer for losses he suffered due to the floods, and then they went and told the Transport Ministry that they did not cause the floods," he said.
Lim said he will prepare a full reply to Gamuda's statement tomorrow but repeated his warning to the company to not play around with the Penang state government'.
It was reported on Wednesday that Gamuda group managing director Datuk Lin Yun Ling said the double tracking project will be delayed by at least a year due to the delay in acquiring land in Penang.
He reportedly said there are substantial delays in Penang due to the huge number of squatters between the railway and the rights of reserve.
Lin said the government should have handed the land over within nine months of the start of the contract but that it will take at least another year for the land to be handed over.
The project, which commenced in January, is expected to be completed in early 2013.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Penang mulls developer fund to fix hillslope projects - Star
Dec 17, 2008 By K. KASTURI DEWI
GEORGE TOWN: Penang will consider asking developers of hillslope projects to set up a fund to tackle remedial works which arise after their projects are completed.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state will hold discussions with developers to come out with a formula on the setting up of such a fund.
“This fund will be specially set up for the treatment and remedial works of hillslope projects.
“Such a fund is necessary because of cases where a problem arises after a project is completed and OC (Occupation Certificate) is obtained but the developer cannot be traced to do the remedial works,” he told reporters at a press conference after the opening of the Pacific Komtar Departmental Store in Komtar Wednesday.
He said this when asked to comment on the Selangor government’s proposal to impose higher assessment rates or a levy on hillside property.
It was reported that Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the assessment collected would be used to monitor and maintain sensitive areas and also as a relief effort for those living in low-lying areas who are affected by hillslope development.
Lim indicated that he wanted the fund to be of substantial amount to tackle any problems that arose and also to drive home a message to developers that the state was serious in ensuring that any future hillslope projects were “really safe.”
Earlier in his speech, Lim said Penang expected 3.5 million tourist arrivals next year with anticipated earnings of RM1.4bil.
GEORGE TOWN: Penang will consider asking developers of hillslope projects to set up a fund to tackle remedial works which arise after their projects are completed.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state will hold discussions with developers to come out with a formula on the setting up of such a fund.
“This fund will be specially set up for the treatment and remedial works of hillslope projects.
“Such a fund is necessary because of cases where a problem arises after a project is completed and OC (Occupation Certificate) is obtained but the developer cannot be traced to do the remedial works,” he told reporters at a press conference after the opening of the Pacific Komtar Departmental Store in Komtar Wednesday.
He said this when asked to comment on the Selangor government’s proposal to impose higher assessment rates or a levy on hillside property.
It was reported that Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the assessment collected would be used to monitor and maintain sensitive areas and also as a relief effort for those living in low-lying areas who are affected by hillslope development.
Lim indicated that he wanted the fund to be of substantial amount to tackle any problems that arose and also to drive home a message to developers that the state was serious in ensuring that any future hillslope projects were “really safe.”
Earlier in his speech, Lim said Penang expected 3.5 million tourist arrivals next year with anticipated earnings of RM1.4bil.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Guan Eng stumped over agreement to pay RM33.18 million advance to IJM - Sun
GEORGE TOWN (Sept 29, 2008)by Himanshu Bhatt
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said today he was confused by the former state government’s agreement to give RM33.18 million as “advance payment in the form of a loan” to IJM Corp Bhd for the Jelutong Expressway project.
Lim told reporters he was curious why the state had decided to give the amount in a 1997 agreement when it had already given IJM land for the project which cost RM672.2 million .
“In addition to giving land, the state has to give an advance. It does not make sense,” he told a press conference at Komtar here.
Lim said his confusion was compounded by the fact that IJM also owed the state RM24.1 million for payment of the 132ha land, which is supposed to be settled only after the state had given the advance of RM33.18 million.
“I don’t understand why they can’t settle both payments by contra,” he said when asked to comment on the non-payment by IJM to the state.
Lim said he needed to get more information from state government officers.
He noted that the state was supposed to give the RM33.18 million in stages over over five years from 2005.
Meanwhile, on MCA vice-president Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai’s call for Gerakan and MCA to merge, Lim said such a merger would only be cosmetic if the policies of the Barisan Nasional (BN) did not change.
“The problem is not Gerakan or MCA, the problem is the BN.” he said.
He also noted Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon’s statement that 60% of the party’s members were inclined to leave the BN.
“If 60% of the members want to the leave, why are they still stuck in the BN?” he asked.
“If they want a leader who doesn’t listen to their views, I wish them luck!," he added.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said today he was confused by the former state government’s agreement to give RM33.18 million as “advance payment in the form of a loan” to IJM Corp Bhd for the Jelutong Expressway project.
Lim told reporters he was curious why the state had decided to give the amount in a 1997 agreement when it had already given IJM land for the project which cost RM672.2 million .
“In addition to giving land, the state has to give an advance. It does not make sense,” he told a press conference at Komtar here.
Lim said his confusion was compounded by the fact that IJM also owed the state RM24.1 million for payment of the 132ha land, which is supposed to be settled only after the state had given the advance of RM33.18 million.
“I don’t understand why they can’t settle both payments by contra,” he said when asked to comment on the non-payment by IJM to the state.
Lim said he needed to get more information from state government officers.
He noted that the state was supposed to give the RM33.18 million in stages over over five years from 2005.
Meanwhile, on MCA vice-president Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai’s call for Gerakan and MCA to merge, Lim said such a merger would only be cosmetic if the policies of the Barisan Nasional (BN) did not change.
“The problem is not Gerakan or MCA, the problem is the BN.” he said.
He also noted Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon’s statement that 60% of the party’s members were inclined to leave the BN.
“If 60% of the members want to the leave, why are they still stuck in the BN?” he asked.
“If they want a leader who doesn’t listen to their views, I wish them luck!," he added.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Open tender for tourism development on Pulau Jerejak - Star
GEORGE TOWN: Sept 22, 2008 By ANDREA FILMER
The Penang state government will have an open tender for a tourism development project on Pulau Jerejak by year-end.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng announced Monday that the project would entail “billions” in investment and take at least 10 years to complete.
He said the state wanted to promote holistic development on the former penal colony, including eco and sports tourism.
“There are also ideas for medical and film tourism on the island,” he said after meeting with Sime Darby Berhad representatives in Komtar.
“We are looking at billions (in investment) and if all goes well, we can call for tenders before the end of this year,” Lim added.
He said the state had received great interest from both foreign and local investors regarding Pulau Jerejak and other development projects on the island.
“To date, we have at least two Middle Eastern and one Asia Pacific investor who have expressed interest in creating a holistic masterplan for Pulau Jerejak. “On the local front, Sime Darby has come forward with proposals on the project and other related projects in the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER),” Lim said.
He added that the foreign investors involved were all linked with local companies and all tourism-related initiatives in the state would be conducted by open tender.
Lim added that there had been significant progress in other development projects in the state.
“From this Thursday to Saturday, the public will see various development policies that we have worked so hard on for the last few months. All these projects are on track,” Lim said, adding that they involved tourism projects on the state’s mainland and plans for Komtar, a state icon that houses the offices of local, state and federal authorities.
On another matter, Lim said the state would take strong action on debtors who failed to settle their state student scholarships and loans.
“There is still RM15.6mil owed through these loans from 3,416 debtors. The state intends to make these names public through newspapers and the Internet and if all fails after warning letters are sent, we will sue them,” he said.
The Penang state government will have an open tender for a tourism development project on Pulau Jerejak by year-end.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng announced Monday that the project would entail “billions” in investment and take at least 10 years to complete.
He said the state wanted to promote holistic development on the former penal colony, including eco and sports tourism.
“There are also ideas for medical and film tourism on the island,” he said after meeting with Sime Darby Berhad representatives in Komtar.
“We are looking at billions (in investment) and if all goes well, we can call for tenders before the end of this year,” Lim added.
He said the state had received great interest from both foreign and local investors regarding Pulau Jerejak and other development projects on the island.
“To date, we have at least two Middle Eastern and one Asia Pacific investor who have expressed interest in creating a holistic masterplan for Pulau Jerejak. “On the local front, Sime Darby has come forward with proposals on the project and other related projects in the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER),” Lim said.
He added that the foreign investors involved were all linked with local companies and all tourism-related initiatives in the state would be conducted by open tender.
Lim added that there had been significant progress in other development projects in the state.
“From this Thursday to Saturday, the public will see various development policies that we have worked so hard on for the last few months. All these projects are on track,” Lim said, adding that they involved tourism projects on the state’s mainland and plans for Komtar, a state icon that houses the offices of local, state and federal authorities.
On another matter, Lim said the state would take strong action on debtors who failed to settle their state student scholarships and loans.
“There is still RM15.6mil owed through these loans from 3,416 debtors. The state intends to make these names public through newspapers and the Internet and if all fails after warning letters are sent, we will sue them,” he said.
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