By Kee Thuan Chye
The Umno General Assembly has often come across as reality comedy. Its ‘performers’ unwittingly amuse us with their unintentionally comic turns. This year, they didn’t disappoint.
Wanita chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, whose family is embroiled in the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) scandal that cost her the renewal of her senatorship, says that for the upcoming general election, she is a winnable candidate. God help her.
Indeed, God was invoked on several occasions throughout the general assembly, sometimes for the sake of seeking His help.
President Najib Razak urged Umno members to pray hard to God in order to win the general election. “Let us pray so that with His blessings, we will continue to be the country’s ruling party,” he said.
The subtext of that smacked of a loss in confidence.
In fact, Najib’s rhetoric in the past several months has been reflective of that. He has been practically begging his audiences to “give us another term”, an appeal no Umno leader has ever stooped to. They had always taken it for granted that they would rule long-term.
He has been persuading voters not to change the government, as if he were expecting them to. He has been bashing the Opposition parties at every available opportunity, to influence voters not to vote for them.
At the general assembly, he even entertained the prospect of losing: “We can replace treasures or honour that are lost, but if we lose this fight, we will be left with nothing.”
He was of course exaggerating – because not winning Putrajaya doesn’t amount to losing everything – but he was nonetheless acknowledging the possibility of defeat.
No other Umno president before him has ever had to countenance that.
Now Najib cannot bank on the confidence of the Umno of the past to carry him cockily to the general election; it has been too deeply mired in corruption and cronyism, and therakyat have got wise to it.
He even apologised at the general assembly for all the wrongdoings of Umno and the other parties in the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. But, as they say, it may be a case of “too little, too late”. And it certainly is of no use if the corrupt practices are still continuing.
Why, for instance, has he not answered the allegations of businessman Deepak Jaikishan that for his help in facilitating a project deal, his family was paid by the latter, and that Deepak got involved in the case involving the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu because he wanted to help Najib’s family? Why did Najib leave it to Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to volunteer to reply to Deepak?
This exposé, the NFC scandal and the question surrounding the RM40 million “political donation” received by Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman have caused untold damage to Umno. It may not fully recover from the blows.
Even so, there was much bravado flaunted at the general assembly. There was talk among Umno leaders of winning the general election with a two-thirds majority and recapturing all the four states now in Pakatan Rakyat’s hands. They might have prayed to God first before they offered these predictions.
Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob even said to the media, “I tell you, DAP cannot win in Bentong. Cannot win! If DAP wins in Bentong, you cut off my ears and I’ll jump into the Pahang river.”
Such haughtiness! Well, just to see if he will keep his word, the electorate should vote BN out of Bentong. Earless Adnan might be a more humble person after that!
Hey, but the next day, probably feeling scared that his Bentong prediction might actually prove wrong, he did a flip-flop. That, however, made him even more laughable. He said he didn’t mean “cut off my ears” literally. He said he was using figurative language.
“Do you know figurative speech? In English language, we have figurative speech. We have simile, we have metaphor, hyberbole,” he said. “So when I say cut off my ears, that means they (DAP) can never win ... not that if we (BN) lose, they (the Opposition) take the knife and cut off my ears literally.”
And why did he use “figurative language”? His reply: “… to let people learn English”!
Hahaha! That got me rolling on the floor – because “cut off my ears” is not at all a figure of speech in the English language! Adnan doesn’t know that and he wants others to learn English? What a clown! The epitome of the know-nothing who behaves like a know-all! Or a case of someone who’s caught and simply tembak (shoots)!
And since there’s no such figure of speech, dear voters, please continue sharpening your knives.
Meanwhile, enjoy the most hilarious, most misplaced joke that came out of the assembly – courtesy of Umno Youth information chief Reezal Merican Naina Merican, who said Umno is the party chosen by God to liberate the chosen land of Malaysia.
Woweee! This is fresh! This is creative! This is … divine!
He even said God’s chosen people are the Malays living in Malaysia.
But hang on! Doesn’t “God’s chosen people” traditionally refer to the Israelites? And the chosen land to the Nation of Israel? Jews, baby!
Did Reezal make a boo-boo in associating with the enemy? Was he even aware of it?
He said God is the true authority over all governments, the giver of power to those that He has chosen, so he must believe that Umno-BN will win the next general election. But what if it doesn’t? Will he stop believing in God?
What kooky thinking! Here’s something Adnan could learn from in terms of the English language – an example of hyperbole.
Reezal was probably trying to outdo his Umno Youth boss, Khairy Jamaluddin, by waxing so hyperbolic. The day before, Khairy quoted from Winston Churchill’s famous speeches in his call to fight Pakatan Rakyat, but he obviously went overboard.
He was comparing the next general election to World War Two. But come on la, brudder, they’re not the same la.
While Churchill’s “we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets” and “we will continue hand in hand like comrades and brothers until every vestige of the Nazi regime has been beaten into the ground” are inspiring, Khairy’s “we will debate them in Parliament, we will smash their arguments in coffee shops, we will expose their lies in cyberspace … we will lay this wretched Pakatan coalition into the ground!” sounds terribly frivolous. Schoolboyish even.
The scary thing about all this comedy is that among the people spewing this rubbish are holders of high public office, and that some of the Umno Youth upstarts may one day become ministers.
Even outside of the general assembly, you get the Chief Minister of Melaka, Ali Rustam, accusing Singapore of interfering in Malaysian politics simply because the briefing by French lawyers on the Scorpene investigations in France were recently held there.
Worse, last week Deputy Defence Minister Abdul Latiff Ahmad disparaged the name of French lawyer William Bourdon by changing it to “Bodoh” (stupid). The jury may have no difficulty in deciding who was being “bodoh” in this case, but it showed the level of class and intellectuality among our so-called leaders.
It is the level of intellectuality that comes from decades of playing to the gallery, of pandering to the masses who have been deliberately manipulated to remain politically immature and intellectually challenged through being provided sub-standard education. And so to reach out to these masses, our so-called leaders appeal to the lowest common denominator.
They are the avatars of “the devil we know” – the phrase Mahathir Mohamad recently coined to describe Umno-BN – and they often exhibit the worst characteristics of politicians. The crucial question is: Do we want these types to continue leading the country? Do we want them to be the chosen ones, i.e. chosen by us? At the coming general election, do we vote them in – again?
All I can say is, God help us if we do.
Kee Thuan Chye is the author of the bestselling book No More Bullshit, Please, We’re All Malaysians, available in bookstores together with its Malay translation, Jangan Kelentong Lagi, Kita Semua Orang Malaysia.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
CM Lim Guan Eng Speech At The DAP Penang State Annual Convention On 2.12.2012
Opening Speech By DAP Secretary-General And Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng During The DAP Penang State Annual Convention On 2.12.2012 At Red Rock Hotel.
Let us all begin by thanking the people of Penang for their support during these five years on DAP’s historic mission to establish a clean and people-centric government in Penang. Let us not forget you the leaders and members, who have stood steadfastly by the DAP over these last 46 years through all the pain and sorrow, overcoming all the trials and tribulations so as to ensure that the party survive to serve the rakyat.
DAP can stand up proudly that we have demonstrated that whilst we are good in opposition, we are even better as a government. When we won power in 2008, there were some doubts on our ability to govern due to our lack of experience and even some concern on our competency as we were all politicians who had spent time in prison.
After 5 years in power, not only have these doubts cleared, but there is now greater concern that we do not remain in power in Penang. What happened during these 5 years that caused this transformation from being an effective opposition to an even more effective government?
I would venture to say that DAP’s qualities of being clean and honest, loyalty to principles and the people and our unbreakable team spirit amongst DAP leaders were the basis of our success as exemplified in our slogan of CAT governance of competency, accountability and transparency. There were 6 initial challenges which set the tone of this CAT administration.
One, the public transport crisis in our very first month when Rapid Penang boycotted routes in Komtar in protest against harassment from illegal buses. We met and decided that to come our in support firmly in support of Rapid Penang and phase out illegal buses, resolving a 20 year old problem that has plagued Penang consumers.
Two, the spectre of bankruptcy in Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai(MPSP) which lost RM230 million in 7 years. We implemented key reforms and forced out key officials buying Mercedes Benz and suspected of accumulating extraordinary wealth. We managed to record a surplus in our very first year at the end of 2008 for MPSP after 10 previous years of deficit. Now MPSP is in the black and the PR state government has saved MPSP from bankruptcy by the BN.
Three, the land scams created by the BN state government over the last 50 years resulting not only in losses but also control over the state’s resources. The previous BN state government had given 4,000 acres of land at either low pricing, free or very attractive payment terms. Some like the Jelutong Expressway reclamation project was given a 10 year repayment term and title deeds of Pulau Jerejak was issued to UDA even though the land premium was not paid. Worse was the RM40 million Tang Hak Ju land scandal, where the state government is still trying to retrieve the money from court. Again we transferred out land officials involved in these scams with the BN state government. YB Chow Kon Yeow is now preparing a White Paper on these 4,000 acres of land scams by the BN state government.
Four, the attempt by BN to pinning the blame on the PR state government for the 150 year old Kampung Buah Pala land scandal when BN had sold off the state land secretly and given all development approvals. PR had resolved this by forcing the developer to provide a double-storey house, the best compensation package in Malaysian history. Kampung Buah Pala is not demolished but still lives in dignity and comfort. Unfortunately BN had sabotaged the state government’s efforts resulting in 9 families missing out of this package.
Five, racist and extremist demonstrations by UMNO and Perkasa towards our reforms in implementing open competitive tenders, giving annual allocations to schools and putting up bilingual road signs in George Town. We faced down these nearly weekly demonstrations by proving that we are fair to all regardless of race and religion. Many times more money has been allocated for Islamic affairs than compared to the previous state government and the PR state government even took the bold step to acquire Chinese-owned land for a Muslim cemetery in Jelutong.
Six, the greatest challenge to Penang state government’s right to appoint the best person for the job in the civil service regardless of race, religion or gender. Penang can not succeed in our goal of being an international and intelligent city without a civil service that is also intelligent and internationally benchmarked. We persisted, no, insisted that only those who are competent and clean without any political ambitions qualify. Fortunately Penang PR has a 2/3 majority which is why it is important for PR to retain this 2/3 majority for Penangites to decide their own destiny instead of being dictated to by Putrajaya. Remember, only when we appoint the best, only then can we be on top of the rest.
DAP leaders together with our PR colleagues faced these intial challenges together firmly and with decisive leadership. We succeeded because we are clean and loyal to principles and the people. And look at the successes of CAT governance in Penang.
1. Penang became No.1 in investment in Malaysia for the first time in our history in 2010. We repeated that again in 2011, proving that our success was no fluke but a fact. Penang contributed 28% of Malaysia’s FDI during those 2 years. 10 days ago Agilent Technologies announced a USD 200 million investment and B. Braun a RM1.75 billion investment in Penang;
2. Penang remains No.1 in medical tourism with 60% of total medical receipts. Penang was voted as one of the top 8 islands in the world you must explore before you die by Yahoo Travel. The George Town Heritage Festival and our efforts at heritage conservation has brought George Town back to life, with our mural painting on the walls of old shophouses gaining international recognition. The tourism sector has grown with the capacity of Penang International Airport reaching the new capacity of 5 million passengers a year by next year. There has to be a new expansion project immediately upon completion of the Airport next year;
3. The yearly record budget surpluses and 95% reduction in state government debts that was commended by the Auditor-General’s Report;
4. Adopted the 6 integrity measures of fighting corruption that has won praise from Transparency International of making a public declaration of assets, implementing open competitive tenders, bar family members from being involved with government contracts, protect genuine whistleblowers, remove leaders with extravagant lifestyles and come clean on political donations;
5. Allocating RM500 million for the Penang Affordable Housing Programme to build 18,000 units throughout the state including the island, the largest amount by any state government. To ensure quality affordable housing, HDB Singapore has been appointed to ensure that good quality public housing in Singapore will also be available in Penang. 12,000 units of public housing has been built over the last 5 years, 4,000 units by Penang Development Corporation and 8,000 units by the private sector;
6. Spending RM100 million in cash to the people under the various “golden” programmes to senior citizens, disabled, single mothers, public university students, new parents, primary and secondary school children as well as annual allocations to Sekolah Agama Rakyat, Chinese and Tamil schools;
7. Becoming the first state in Malaysia to wipe out hard-core poverty in 2009 and will become the first in Malaysia to wipe out poverty by 2013 under the Agenda Ekonomi Saksama(AES). As the poverty line indicator is RM763 per month for every household, Penang can only be free from poverty if every family is assured of receiving RM770 per month.To ensure every family gets RM770 per month, the state government will make up the shortfall monthly. In other words, if a family gets RM600 per month, the state government will top up with RM170 every month – not every 5 years or every 50 years;
8. Implementing democratic reforms such as the setting up the first Speakers Corner in Malaysia, passing the Freedom of Information and the Penang Local Government Elections Enactment to provide for freedom of speech and information as well as the 3rd vote to strengthen grassroots democracy;
9. Respecting Islam as the religion of Penang and freedom of religion by increasing allocation funding, land and setting up Majlis Syura and the non-Islamic Religious Affairs EXCO portfolio to manage matters relating to non-Muslims. No tokong, kuil and surau has been torn down except for one Hindu shrine by the Federal Government’s Penang Port Sdn Bhd(PPSB). Instead the Kek Lok Si Temple and Murugan Waterfall Temple was finally opened during the PR state government.
10. Spending 55% more on development infrastructure than the previous government in building roads on the island and the mainland, futsal courts, public halls, Syariah courts and drainage. Proposing major infrastructure projects such as the 3rd link of a sea tunnel between Gurney Drive and Butterworth as well as revitalising Komtar and a new exhibition and convention centre in sPice at PISA. There will also be a new exhibition and convention centre to be announced next week.
11. Becoming the first to adopt green initiatives such as no free plastic bags, banning polystyrene bags, no-smoking zones, creating more public parks and bicycle lanes, car-free Sundays and achieving a recycling rate of 26 % this year when the national target is 20% by 2020;
12. Making George Town the most livable city(according to ECA International) for the first time in Malaysia in 2011 and repeated again in 2012
There is so many more achievements. But no one can deny that we have done more in 5 years than BN has one in 18 years. We have shown that despite our inexperience we can perform better than BN anytime, anyplace anywhere.
All these achievements are under threat. UMNO had declared their confidence of winning not only a 2/3 parliamentary majority but also Penang. Do not underestimate BN and UMNO. Do not underestimate the effectiveness of lies, threats and money politics as well as racist and extremist sentiments. UMNO are masters at these dirty tactics.
I know DAP leaders and members are not afraid of losing. But the people of Penang can not afford to lose their future to UMNO and BN. For the next general elections determines not just the fate of DAP but the destiny of the people. UMNO will ensure all our “golden programmes” for the rakyat and yearly allocations to schools will be gone. UMNO will ensure our democratic reforms and integrity measures will be replaced by a harsh repressive regime that is corrupt. UMNO will ensure a people-centric government will be replaced by a crony-driven government.
Just look at the way the RM43 million Tanjung City Marina is abandoned and the RM250 million expansion of the Penang International Airport is built serves to remind us how BN will govern Penang.
The next elections is crucial because it is about the people not about the politicians, it is about their future not about who holds what posts, it is how the people benefit from good policies and not about cutting off your ears and jumping into the river! Let us therefore unite as DAP who can bring change, prosperity, justice, freedom, democracy and public welfare to the people!
We in the DAP offer to deliver the Penang’s Promise of success to those who are honest, work hard, invest in the future and follow rules in a Penang that is clean, green, safe and healthy. DAP believes in the Penang basic character that to succeed we must be honest, to prosper we need to work hard, for our children to do well we as parents and government must invest in the future and for Penang to succeed, there must be rules – rule of law not rule by men.
This is the basic character for Penang’s past successes. Without any natural resources, it is the people who are the reason for Penang’s successes. And that is why the Penang PR state government and the DAP remains optimistic and confident in Penang’s future because we have faith in you the people. Whatever our obstacles or our problems we believe that the people will find a solution as long as the government is of the people, by the people and for the people.
We believe in Penang because we believe in the goodness of the people of Penang –Malays, Chinese Indians that goodness and hard work prevails. The state government will strive to reflect that basic character of Penangites because we believe in you!
—–BM Version —-
Ucapan pembukaan oleh Setiausaha Agung DAP dan Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang semasa Konvensyen Tahunan DAP Pulau Pinang pada 2.12.2012 di Red Rock Hotel.
Menyampaikan Janji Kejayaan Pulau Pinang Kepada Mereka Yang Jujur, Berusaha Kuat, Melabur Dalam Masa Depan Dan Mematuhi Undang-Undang Dalam Pulau Pinang Yang Lebih Bersih, Hijau, Selamat Dan Sihat.
Mari kita bermula dengan menyampaikan ribuan terima kasih kepada rakyat Pulau Pinang atas sokongan mereka selama lima tahun ini, dalam perjuangan bersejarah DAP untuk menubuhkan kerajaan yang bersih dan berjiwa rakyat di Pulau Pinang. Tidak juga kita lupa anda, pemimpin-pemimpin dan ahli-ahli, yang telah berdiri teguh bersama DAP selama 46 tahun dan merempuhi segala onak dan duri untuk memastikan kelestarian parti untuk berhidmat demi rakyat.
DAP boleh berdiri teguh kerana telah membuktikan bahawa bukan sahaja kita boleh menjadi pembangkang yang baik, kita juga boleh menjadi kerajaan yang lebih baik. Apabila mengambil alih kuasa pada tahun 2008, ramai yang meragui keupayaan kita untuk mentadbir dek kerana kekurangan pengalaman serta kecekapan sebagai ahli-ahli politik yang kebanyakannya bekas banduan.
Setelah lima tahun berkuasa, bukan sahaja keraguan itu sudah dibendung, malah terdapat kebimbangan bahawa kita tidak akan terus berkuasa di Pulau Pinang. Apakah yang berlaku dalam tempoh lima tahun ini yang telah mengakibatkan transformasi daripada pembangkang efektif kepada kerajaan yang lebih efektif?
Saya berani kata bahawa ciri-ciri DAP yang bersih dan jujur, kesetiaan kepada prinsip dan rakyat serta semangat berpasukan yang erat di kalangan pemimpin DAP merupakan asas kepada kejayaan kita, seperti yang ditunjukkan dalam slogan urustadbir CAT iaitu cekap, akauntabiliti dan telus. Terdapat enam cabaran awal yang telah menetapkan nada pentadbiran CAT ini.
Pertama, krisis pengangkutan awam dalam bulan pertama apabila Rapid Penang memboikot laluan-laluan di Komtar kerana membantah gangguan daripada bas-bas haram. Kita telah bertemu dan bersetuju untuk menyokong penuh Rapid Penang dan menghentikan bas-bas haram, lantas menyelesaikan masalah yang telah berlarutan selama 20 tahun.
Kedua, bayang-bayang kebangkrapan di Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai (MPSP) yang telah kerugian RM230 juta dalam 7 tahun. Kita telah melaksanakan reformasi yang penting dan memaksa keluar pegawai-pegawai yang membeli kereta Meredes Benz dan yang disyaki mempunyai harta yang luarbiasa. Kita telah berjaya mencatat lebihan kewangan dalam tahun pertama untuk MPSP setelah 10 tahun mengalami defisit. Kini, MPSP sudah diselamatkan oleh kerajaan negeri PR daripada kemuflisan gara-gara BN.
Ketiga, penyelewengan tanah oleh kerajaan negeri BN selama 50 tahun bukan sahaja telah mengakibatkan kerugian tetapi mengurangkan kuasa ke atas sumber-sumber negeri. Kerajaan negeri BN yang terdahulu telah menjual 4,000 ekar tanah pada harga murah, percuma atau dengan syarat-syarat pembayaran yang menguntungkan pembeli. Contohnya projek menebusguna tanah Lebuhraya Jelutong yang diberi terma pembayaran 10 tahun dan surat hak milik Pulau Jerejak yang diberi kepada UDA walaupun premium tanah tidak dibayar. Lebih teruk lagi skandal tanah Tan Hak Ju, di mana kerajaan negeri masih lagi terjerat dalam makamah. Sekali lagi, kita telah memindah keluar pegawai-pegawai yang terbabit dalam skandal-skandal kerajaan negeri BN. YB Chow Kon Yeow kini sedang menyediakan Kertas Putih tentang skandal-skandal tanah 4,000 ekar oleh kerajaan negeri BN.
Keempat, percubaan oleh BN untuk menyalahkan kerajaan negeri PR dalam skandal Kampung Buah Pala yang berusia 150 tahun apabila kerajaan BN sendiri yang menjual tanah negeri secara senyap dan telah memberi semua kelulusan pembangunan. PR telah menyelesaikan kemelut ini dengan memaksa pihak pemaju untuk memberi rumah dua tingkat, iaitu pakej pampasan yang terbaik dalam sejarah Malaysia. Kampung Buah Pala tidak diruntuhkan tetapi terus hidup dengan selesa dan bermartabat. Malangnya, BN telah mensabotaj usaha kerajaan negeri dan mengakibatkan 9 keluarga tidak mendapat pakej tersebut.
Kelima, demonstrasi rasis dan melampau oleh UMNO dan Perkasa terhadap usaha-usaha reformasi dengan pelaksanaan tender terbuka, peruntukan tahunan kepada sekolah serta tanda-tanda jalan dwi-bahasa di George Town. Kita terpaksa menghadapi demonstrasi-demonstrasi mingguan ini dengan membuktikan bahawa kita berlaku adil kepada semua tanpa mengira bangsa atau agama. Peruntukan untuk hal-ehwal agama Islam telah ditingkatkan berkali-kali ganda berbanding kerajaan lama dan kerajaan negeri PR telah mengambil langkah berani untuk memperolehi tanah milik Cina untuk tujuan kubur Islam di Jelutong.
Keenam, cabaran paling besar kerajaan negeri Pulau Pinang adalah untuk melantik pegawai yang terbaik dalam perkidmatan awam tanpa mengira bangsa, agama atau gender. Pulau Pinang tidak boleh berjaya dalam matlamat menjadi bandaraya antarabangsa dan pintar tanpa perkhidmatan awam yang pintar dan dapat mencapai tanda aras antarabangsa. Kita telah berkeras dan memastikan bahawa hanya mereka yang bersih dan tidak mempunyai agenda politik akan layak dilantik. Nasib baik, PR Pulau Pinang mempunyai majoriti 2/3, dan kerana itu adalah mustahak kita mengekalkan majoriti 2/3 ini supaya rakyat Pulau Pinang dapat memilih takdir sendiri dan tidak hanya diarah oleh Putrajaya. Ingat, hanya dengan melantik yang terbaik boleh kita menjadi yang terbaik.
Pemimpin-pemimpin DAP bersama dengan rakan-rakan PR telah menghadapi cabaran-cabaran ini dengan kepimpinan yang tegas. Kita berjaya kerana kita bersih dan setia kepada prinsip dan rakyat. Lihat sahaja kejayaan-kejayaan urustadbir CAT di Pulau Pinang.
1. Pulau Pinang telah menjadi no.1 dalam pelaburan di Malaysia buat kali pertama dalam sejarah pada tahun 2010. Kita telah mengulanginya lagi pada tahun 2011, lantas membuktikan bahawa kejayaan itu bukanlah hanya nasib tetapi hakikat. Pulau Pinang telah menyumbang 28% daripada jumlah pelaburan asing langsung Malaysia dalam dua tahun tersebut. 10 hari lalu Agilent Technologies telah mengumumkan pelaburan USD200 juta manakala B.Braun akan melabur RM1.75 bilion di Pulau Pinang.
2. Pulau Pinang kekal no. 1 dalam pelancongan perubatan dengan 60% jumlah kebangsaan. Pulau Pinang telah dipilih sebagai 8 pulau utama di dunia yang harus dilawat oleh Yahoo Travel. Festival Warisan George Town serta usaha untuk memelihara dan memulihara warisan telah menyuntik semangat baru kepada George Town. Lukisan-lukisan mural atas dinding rumah-rumah kedai lama kian mendapat pengiktirafan antarabangsa. Sektor pelancongan telah berkembang dengan kapasiti Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Pulau Pinang dijangka mencecah 5 juta penumpang setahun menjelang tahun depan. Projek pembesaran dan naik taraf yang baru harus dimulakan sebaik selesai sahaja projek penguahsuaian sekarang.
3. Lebihan bajet tahunan dan pengurangan hutang negeri sebanyak 95% telah diiktiraf dan dipuji oleh Laporan Ketua Audit Negara.
4. Pengamalan 6 langkah integriti dalam perang rasuah yang juga dipuji oleh Transparency Internatnal, iaitu pengisytiharan harta secara terbuka, pelaksanaan tender terbuka, melarang ahli-ahli keluarga daripada berurus niaga dengan kerajaan, melindungi peniup wisel yang tulen, menggugurkan pemimpin-pemimpin yang hidup mewah dan bersikap telus dalam sumbangan politik.
5. Peruntukan RM500 juta untuk Tabung Perumahan Mampu Milik Pulau Pinang untuk pembinaan 18,000 unit di serata negeri termasuk di bahagian pulau, iaitu jumlah paling besar oleh mana-mana kerajaan negeri. Untuk memastikan perumahan mampu milik yang berkualiti, HDB Singapura telah dilantik untuk memastikan perumahan setaraf Singapura akan disediakan di Pulau Pinang. 12,000 unit rumah mampu milik telah dibina dalam tempoh masa 5 tahun yang lepas, 4,000 unit oleh Perbadanan Pembangunan Pulau Pinang dan 8,000 unit oleh sektor swasta.
6. Membelanjakan wang RM100 juta untuk rakyat melalui program-program “emas” seperti warga emas, OKU, ibu tunggal, pelajar-pelajar IPTA, ibu bapa baru, kanak-kanak sekolah rendah dan menengah serta peruntukan tahunan kepada Sekolah Agama Rakyat, Cina dan Tamil.
7. Menjadi negeri pertama di Malaysia untuk membasmi miskin tegar pada tahun 2009 dan akan menjadi pertama di Malaysia untuk menghapuskan kemiskinan sama sekali pada tahun 2013 melalui Agenda Ekonomi Saksama (AES). Oleh kerana garis kemiskinan adalah RM763 sebulan untuk setiap isi rumah, maka Pulau Pinang hanya boleh bebas miskin sekiranya setiap keluarga mempunyai pendapatan sekurang-kurangnya RM770 sebulan. Untuk memastikan setiap keluarga mempunyai pendapatan minima RM770 sebulan, kerajaan negeri akan menambah nilai setiap bulan. Dengan kata lain, jika sesebuah keluarga mempunyai pendapatan RM600 sebulan, kerajaan negeri akan tambah nilai RM170 setiap bulan – bukan setiap 5 tahun atau setiap 50 tahun.
8. Melaksanakan reformasi demokratik seperti penubuhan Sudut Pidato pertama di Malaysia, meluluskan Enakmen Kebebasan Maklumat serta Enakmen Pilihan Raya Kerajaan Tempatan Pulau Pinang untuk memberi ruang untuk kebebasan bersuara, kebebasan maklumat serta undi ketiga untuk mengukuhkan demokrasi akar umbi.
9. Menghormati Islam sebagai agama Pulau Pinang dan juga kebebasan beragama dengan meningkatkan peruntukan, tanah dan juga menubuhkan Majlis Syura serta portfolio hal-ehwal agama bukan Islam. Tidak ada satu pun tokong, kuil atau surau yang dirobohkan melainkan satu kuil Hindu yang dirobohkan oleh Penang Port Sdn Bhd yang dimiliki kerajaan Persekutuan. Sebaliknya, Tokong Kek Lok Si dan Kuil Air Terjun Murugan akhirnya telah dibuka di bawah pentadbiran kerajaan negeri PR.
10. Membelanjakan 55% lebih untuk pembangunan infrastruktur berbanding kerajaan lama dengan pembinaan jalan raya, gelanggang futsal, dewan orang ramai, mahkamah Syariah dan perparitan. Mencadangkan projek-projek infrastruktur besar seperti sambungan ketiga antara Gurney Drive dengan Butterworth serta pemulihan Komtar dan pusat pameran dan konvensyen baru di sPICE, PISA. Satu lagi pusat pameran dan konvensyen akan diumumkan minggu depan.
11. Pertama untuk mengamalkan inisiatif hijau seperti kempen tiada beg plastik percuma, pengharaman bekas polistirena, zon-zon bebas asap, menyediakan lebih taman awam dan laluan basikal, Hari Ahad Tanpa Kenderaan dan mencatat kadar kitar semula 26% pada tahun ini, di mana sasaran kebangsaan adalah 20% menjelang 2020.
12. Menjadikan George Town sebagai bandar paling sesuai didiami (mengikut ECA International) untuk kali pertama pada tahun 2011 dan sekali lagi pada tahun 2012.
Terdapat banyak lagi kejayaan yang dicapai. Tiada sesiapa boleh menafikan bahawa kita telah mencapai jauh lebih banyak dalam masa 5 tahun berbanding BN dalam 18 tahun sebelumnya. Kita telah menunjukkan prestasi yang lebih baik daripada BN walaupun tidak berpengalaman.
Semua pencapaian ini kini diancam. UMNO telah mengumumkan keyakinan mereka untuk memenangi bukan sahaja majoriti 2/3 di parlimen tetapi juga di Pulau Pinang. Jangan memandang rendah BN dan UMNO. Jangan memandang rendah keberkesanan fitnah, ugutan dan politik ang serta sentimen perkauman dan ekstrimis. UMNO adalah raja taktik kotor.
Saya tahu pemimpin-pemimpin DAP dan ahli-ahli tidak takut untuk kalah. Tetapi rakyat Pulau Pinang tidak boleh kehilangan masa depan kepada UMNO dan BN. PRU yang akan datang akan menentukan bukan sahaja nasib DAP tetapi nasib rakyat. UMNO pasti akan menghapuskan semua “program emas” dan peruntukan tahunan kepada sekolah-sekolah. UMNO akan memastikan reformasi demokratik dan langkah-langkah integriti akan diganti dengan rejim korup serta menindas. UMNO akan menggantikan kerajaan berjiwa rakyat dengan kerajaan berjiwa kroni.
Lihat sahaja bagaimana projek RM43 juta Tanjung City Marina sudah terbengkalai serta kekhilafan projek RM250 juta pengubahsuaian dan naik taraf Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Pulau Pinang. Projek-projek ini menjadi peringatan bagaimana BN akan mentabir Pulau Pinang.
Pilihan Raya Umum yang akan datang sangat penting kerana ia berkisar pada rakyat dan bukan ahli politik, ia berkisar pada masa depan dan bukan jawatan, ia berkisar pada dasar yang memanfaatkan rakyat dan bukan dasar potong telinga dan terjun ke dalam sungai! Marilah kita bersatu kerana DAP mampu membawa perubahan, kesejahteraan, keadilan, kebebasan, demokrasi dan kebajikan awam kepada rakyat.
DAP berjanji untuk menyampaikan janji kejayaan Pulau Pinang kepada mereka yang jujur, berusaha kuat, melabur dalam masa depan dan mematuhi undang-undang dalam Pulau Pinang yang lebih bersih, hijau, selamat dan sihat. DAP percaya pada sifat hakiki rakyat Pulau Pinang iaitu kejujuran membawa kejayaan, kerja keras akan membawa kesejahteraan, dan kita sebagai ibu bapa dan kerajaan harus melabur dalam masa depan untuk memastikan kejayaan anak-anak kita. Akhirnya, kejayaan Pulau Pinang bergantung kepada undang-undang – keluhuran undang-undang dan bukan keluhuran pemimpin.
Inilah sifat hakiki kejayaan Pulau Pinang yang lampau. Tanpa sumber asli, rakyat menjadi faktor kejayaan. Oleh itu, kerajaan negeri PR dan DAP berasa optimis dan yakin dengan masa depan Pulau Pinang kerana kita percaya pada rakyat. Walau apa pun rintangan dan cabaran, kita percaya bahawa rakyat akan mencari penyelesaian selagi kerajaan merupakan kerajaan rakyat, oleh rakyat dan untuk rakyat.
Kita percaya pada Pulau Pinang kerana kita percaya bahawa kebaikan dan usaha rakyat Pulau Pinang – Melayu, Cina, India – akan mengatasi segalanya. Kerajaan negeri akan cuba sedaya upaya untuk mencerminkan sifat hakiki rakyat Pulau Pinang kerana kita percaya pada mu!
—– Mandarin Version —-
民主行动党秘书长兼槟州首席部长林冠英，于2012年12月2日在槟州常年代表大会上发表演讲：
让城实、辛勤、为未来投资、守法的槟州人民共享槟州净、绿、安、定的成就。
让我们首先感谢槟城人民这五年的支持，让行动党历史性地创建一个廉洁、以民为本的槟州政府。我们不会忘记全体党领袖及党员，在过去46年来对民主行动党不离不弃、经历多少风雨，让行动党生存下来，并且执政为民服务。
行动党可以骄傲地展示我们不仅在野时表现良好、在朝时表现更出色。我们于2008年赢得政权，当时有人怀疑我们没有经验，是否有能力执政，更有人怀疑我们是否有能力，因为我们都是坐过牢的政治人物。
经过执政五年， 我们不只消除这些疑虑，更多的担忧是我们无法在槟城保住政权。过去五年，在我们从有效力的在野党转型为有效力的政府时发生了什么事？
我敢说，行动党的廉正、诚实、忠于原则及人民、领袖的团队精神正是我们成功的基础。如我们的能干、公信及透明施政原则。我们的施政方针因最初六大挑战而形成：
第一、 在执政第一个月我们便遇上公共交通危机，槟城快捷通抵制光大路线，抗议非法巴士抢车位。我们见面，并决定全面支持槟城快捷通、逐步撤出非法巴士，解决了困扰槟城人20年的老问题。
第二、 威省市政局在7年人损失了2亿3000万令吉而濒临破产的局面。我们采取主要改革措施、逼走那些购买马赛地轿车、疑累积不正当财富的官员。我们得以在2008年底，让威省市政局在连续10年的赤字后，出现财政盈余。现有威省市政局财政有盈余，民联州政府挽救了国阵所造成的市政局破产局面。
第三、 国阵在过去50年导致的土地丑闻，不只导致损失，也让州政府失去资源。前朝国阵政府以低廉、优惠偿还条件甚至免费方式出让4000英亩的土地。像日落洞高速公路填海工程享有10年的偿还期、城市发展局没有偿还地价却获得木寇山的地契。更糟的是陈合裕土地丑闻，州政府还在努力向法庭追回债务。我们将那些与国阵一样涉及这些土地丑闻的官员调走。曹观友正在针对国阵政府的4000英亩土地丑闻准备白皮书。
第四、 在150年豆蔻村土地丑闻上，国阵企图怪罪民联州政府。而明明是国阵秘密卖掉州土地、发出发展批文。民联通过强迫发展商提供双层楼排屋给居民，这已是我国历史上最好的赔偿配套。豆蔻村没有被拆除，居民还是活得有尊严、舒适。不幸的是，国阵政府破坏州政府的努力，导致9个家庭无法获得上述赔偿配套。
第五、 我们在推行公开招标、发出常年拨款给学校、在乔治市安装多语文路牌，巫统及土权却展示的种族及极端主义。为了证明我们公平对待各族、各宗教，我们几乎每个星期都面对示威。我们比前朝政府拨出更多款项给伊斯兰事务，而民联政府甚至大胆地在日落洞收购一块华人的土地成为穆斯林坟场。
第六、 槟州政府最大的挑战是不分种族、宗教及性别，在公共服务方面委任合适的人做合适的工作。若非有才能及以国际水平为标准的公务员，槟州无法达致成为国际智能城市。我们坚持，那些有才能、廉正、无政治野心的人员符合资格。幸好槟州民联有三分之二多数议席，因此让民联继续持有三分之二多数议席，让槟城人民决定自己的命运而不是由布城摆布。记得，只有找到最合适的人，我们才能达致顶峰。
行动党领袖与民联成员党最初时面对上述问题并采取果断的领导。我们会成功，是因为我们廉正、忠于原则与人民。看看下列槟州能干、公信及透明的成就。
1. 槟州在2010年的所获投资额全马居冠。2011年再创高峰，证明我们的成功不是侥幸的。过去两年，槟州的外国投资额占全马28%。10天前，美国安捷伦科技宣布投资2亿美元、B.Braun 医药股份公司宣布投资 17亿5000万令吉；
2. 槟城在医药旅游方面进账第一名。槟城被雅虎旅游选为世界八大有生之年必游的岛屿。乔治市古迹庆典及维护古迹的努力让乔治市起死回生，我们在孝店屋上的壁画获得国际认同。旅游业成长迅速，槟城国际机场明年将可以承载500万名搭客。机场扩建工程一完工，明年必须再进行新的扩建计划。
3. 财政预算年年有余、州政府缩减95%债务，获得总稽查的表扬。
4. 采取六项反贪措施，获得国际透明组织赞扬：公布民选高官财产、推行公开招标、禁止官员家庭成员涉入政府合约、保护真正的吹哨人、撤掉生活奢华的国阵领袖、坦白交代政治献金;
5. 拨出5亿令吉给槟州可负担房屋计划，在州内各地兴建1万8000个单位，破了各州政府的记录。为了确保可负担房屋的素质，我们委任新加坡建屋局为顾问 ，确保槟城也有像新加坡那样的高素质公屋。过去5年，我们已经建了1万2000个公屋单位，槟州发展机构建了4000个，而私人界建了8000个;
6. 我们耗资1亿令吉推行福利金计划，拨款给乐龄人士、体障人士、单亲妈妈、国立大学生、新生儿、中小学生，以及常年制度化拨款给宗教学校、华校及淡米尔学校。
7. 2009年．槟州成为第一个扫除赤贫户的州属。在经济平等议程下，我们希望能在2013年成为第一个扫除贫穷户的州属。为了确保每户家庭每月收入达770令吉，州政府将会每个月“加额”，换句话说，如果一个家庭月入只有600令吉，那么州政府会另外每个月“补贴”170令吉 － 不用等到每五年，或每50年;
8. 推行民主改革，如设立全马第一个演说者角落、通过资讯自由法、立法推行槟州地方政府选举，提供言论及资讯自由之便利，同时通过第三票强化草根民主;
9. 尊重伊斯兰为槟城的官方宗教及宗教自由，增加拨款、土地、设立伊斯兰咨询理事会及非伊斯兰行政议员职，专司非穆斯林事务。我们没有拆除任何神庙、印度庙或祈祷堂，除了联邦政府属下槟州港口公司捣毁的兴都教神龛。反之，在民联执政期间，极乐寺及植物园路Murugan兴都庙终于举行盛大的开幕礼。
10. 我们比前朝政府花费额外55%来筑路、室内5 人足球俱乐部、民众会堂、伊斯兰法庭、排水系统。我们也建议兴建第三通道，在关仔角及北海之间兴建海底隧道、复兴光大、在湖内体育馆兴建新的国际会展中心sPICE。下个星期我们会再宣布另一个新的会展中心。
11. 成为第一个采取各种环保措施的州属如无免费塑料袋、禁用保丽龙、禁烟区、打造公共空间及脚车道、星期日无车日、今年再循环率为26%（全国目标为2020年20%）;
12. 让乔治市在2011年及2012年被ECA国际选为我国最宜居的城市。
还有很多成就，无可否认我们过去5年做得比国阵过去18年还多。尽管我们没有经验，我们已经证明我们随时随地比国阵做得更好。
我们的成就面对威胁。巫统已经宣布他们不只有信心赢得三分之二多数议席，也有信心赢回槟城。不要小看国阵及巫统。不要小看谎言、威胁、金钱政治、种族及极端情绪。巫统正是各种肮脏伎俩的幕后黑手。
我知道行动党领袖及党员不怕输。但是槟城人民输不起，他们不能把未来输给巫统和国阵。下届大选不只决定行动党的命运，也决定人民的命运。巫统可以确保所有人民福利金计划泡汤。巫统可以让我们的民主改革及制度化拨款瞬间化为乌有。巫统会以贪污腐败的压迫政权取代我们建立的民主改革及廉正措施。巫统会让朋党主导的政府来取代这个以民为本的政府。
看看耗资4300万令吉的丹戎城市游艇中心已经被废弃，还有联邦政府如何进行耗资2亿5000万令吉的槟城国际机场扩建计划，这些都提醒我们，国阵将会如何治理槟城。
下届大选非常关键，那与人民有关，不是与政治人物有关，那是人民的未来，无关谁掌握什么职位，那是与利民政策有关，而不是与割耳跳河有关。让我们团结起来，共同实现改变、繁荣、公义、自由、民主及人民福利。 行动党要让城实、辛勤、为未来投资、守法的槟州人民共享槟州净、绿、安、定的成就。我们相信槟城的基本特征，种瓜得瓜，要成功必须诚实、要辛勤才得繁荣，为我们的孩子、父母及政府，我们必须投资在未来。槟城要成功，必须有法治，而非人治。
这便是造就槟州的基本特征。我们没有天然资源，人才便是槟城成功的因素。因此，民联州政府及行动党对于槟州的未来感到乐观及有信心，因为我们相信人民。无论我们有什么问题，我们相信人们都会找到解决方案，只要这是“民有、民治、民享”的政府。
我们相信槟城。正如我们相信槟州人民－不论马来人、华人还是印度人都拥有善良及辛勤的美德。州政府会努力展现槟城人民的特质，因为我们相信大家！
林冠英
Let us all begin by thanking the people of Penang for their support during these five years on DAP’s historic mission to establish a clean and people-centric government in Penang. Let us not forget you the leaders and members, who have stood steadfastly by the DAP over these last 46 years through all the pain and sorrow, overcoming all the trials and tribulations so as to ensure that the party survive to serve the rakyat.
DAP can stand up proudly that we have demonstrated that whilst we are good in opposition, we are even better as a government. When we won power in 2008, there were some doubts on our ability to govern due to our lack of experience and even some concern on our competency as we were all politicians who had spent time in prison.
After 5 years in power, not only have these doubts cleared, but there is now greater concern that we do not remain in power in Penang. What happened during these 5 years that caused this transformation from being an effective opposition to an even more effective government?
I would venture to say that DAP’s qualities of being clean and honest, loyalty to principles and the people and our unbreakable team spirit amongst DAP leaders were the basis of our success as exemplified in our slogan of CAT governance of competency, accountability and transparency. There were 6 initial challenges which set the tone of this CAT administration.
One, the public transport crisis in our very first month when Rapid Penang boycotted routes in Komtar in protest against harassment from illegal buses. We met and decided that to come our in support firmly in support of Rapid Penang and phase out illegal buses, resolving a 20 year old problem that has plagued Penang consumers.
Two, the spectre of bankruptcy in Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai(MPSP) which lost RM230 million in 7 years. We implemented key reforms and forced out key officials buying Mercedes Benz and suspected of accumulating extraordinary wealth. We managed to record a surplus in our very first year at the end of 2008 for MPSP after 10 previous years of deficit. Now MPSP is in the black and the PR state government has saved MPSP from bankruptcy by the BN.
Three, the land scams created by the BN state government over the last 50 years resulting not only in losses but also control over the state’s resources. The previous BN state government had given 4,000 acres of land at either low pricing, free or very attractive payment terms. Some like the Jelutong Expressway reclamation project was given a 10 year repayment term and title deeds of Pulau Jerejak was issued to UDA even though the land premium was not paid. Worse was the RM40 million Tang Hak Ju land scandal, where the state government is still trying to retrieve the money from court. Again we transferred out land officials involved in these scams with the BN state government. YB Chow Kon Yeow is now preparing a White Paper on these 4,000 acres of land scams by the BN state government.
Four, the attempt by BN to pinning the blame on the PR state government for the 150 year old Kampung Buah Pala land scandal when BN had sold off the state land secretly and given all development approvals. PR had resolved this by forcing the developer to provide a double-storey house, the best compensation package in Malaysian history. Kampung Buah Pala is not demolished but still lives in dignity and comfort. Unfortunately BN had sabotaged the state government’s efforts resulting in 9 families missing out of this package.
Five, racist and extremist demonstrations by UMNO and Perkasa towards our reforms in implementing open competitive tenders, giving annual allocations to schools and putting up bilingual road signs in George Town. We faced down these nearly weekly demonstrations by proving that we are fair to all regardless of race and religion. Many times more money has been allocated for Islamic affairs than compared to the previous state government and the PR state government even took the bold step to acquire Chinese-owned land for a Muslim cemetery in Jelutong.
Six, the greatest challenge to Penang state government’s right to appoint the best person for the job in the civil service regardless of race, religion or gender. Penang can not succeed in our goal of being an international and intelligent city without a civil service that is also intelligent and internationally benchmarked. We persisted, no, insisted that only those who are competent and clean without any political ambitions qualify. Fortunately Penang PR has a 2/3 majority which is why it is important for PR to retain this 2/3 majority for Penangites to decide their own destiny instead of being dictated to by Putrajaya. Remember, only when we appoint the best, only then can we be on top of the rest.
DAP leaders together with our PR colleagues faced these intial challenges together firmly and with decisive leadership. We succeeded because we are clean and loyal to principles and the people. And look at the successes of CAT governance in Penang.
1. Penang became No.1 in investment in Malaysia for the first time in our history in 2010. We repeated that again in 2011, proving that our success was no fluke but a fact. Penang contributed 28% of Malaysia’s FDI during those 2 years. 10 days ago Agilent Technologies announced a USD 200 million investment and B. Braun a RM1.75 billion investment in Penang;
2. Penang remains No.1 in medical tourism with 60% of total medical receipts. Penang was voted as one of the top 8 islands in the world you must explore before you die by Yahoo Travel. The George Town Heritage Festival and our efforts at heritage conservation has brought George Town back to life, with our mural painting on the walls of old shophouses gaining international recognition. The tourism sector has grown with the capacity of Penang International Airport reaching the new capacity of 5 million passengers a year by next year. There has to be a new expansion project immediately upon completion of the Airport next year;
3. The yearly record budget surpluses and 95% reduction in state government debts that was commended by the Auditor-General’s Report;
4. Adopted the 6 integrity measures of fighting corruption that has won praise from Transparency International of making a public declaration of assets, implementing open competitive tenders, bar family members from being involved with government contracts, protect genuine whistleblowers, remove leaders with extravagant lifestyles and come clean on political donations;
5. Allocating RM500 million for the Penang Affordable Housing Programme to build 18,000 units throughout the state including the island, the largest amount by any state government. To ensure quality affordable housing, HDB Singapore has been appointed to ensure that good quality public housing in Singapore will also be available in Penang. 12,000 units of public housing has been built over the last 5 years, 4,000 units by Penang Development Corporation and 8,000 units by the private sector;
6. Spending RM100 million in cash to the people under the various “golden” programmes to senior citizens, disabled, single mothers, public university students, new parents, primary and secondary school children as well as annual allocations to Sekolah Agama Rakyat, Chinese and Tamil schools;
7. Becoming the first state in Malaysia to wipe out hard-core poverty in 2009 and will become the first in Malaysia to wipe out poverty by 2013 under the Agenda Ekonomi Saksama(AES). As the poverty line indicator is RM763 per month for every household, Penang can only be free from poverty if every family is assured of receiving RM770 per month.To ensure every family gets RM770 per month, the state government will make up the shortfall monthly. In other words, if a family gets RM600 per month, the state government will top up with RM170 every month – not every 5 years or every 50 years;
8. Implementing democratic reforms such as the setting up the first Speakers Corner in Malaysia, passing the Freedom of Information and the Penang Local Government Elections Enactment to provide for freedom of speech and information as well as the 3rd vote to strengthen grassroots democracy;
9. Respecting Islam as the religion of Penang and freedom of religion by increasing allocation funding, land and setting up Majlis Syura and the non-Islamic Religious Affairs EXCO portfolio to manage matters relating to non-Muslims. No tokong, kuil and surau has been torn down except for one Hindu shrine by the Federal Government’s Penang Port Sdn Bhd(PPSB). Instead the Kek Lok Si Temple and Murugan Waterfall Temple was finally opened during the PR state government.
10. Spending 55% more on development infrastructure than the previous government in building roads on the island and the mainland, futsal courts, public halls, Syariah courts and drainage. Proposing major infrastructure projects such as the 3rd link of a sea tunnel between Gurney Drive and Butterworth as well as revitalising Komtar and a new exhibition and convention centre in sPice at PISA. There will also be a new exhibition and convention centre to be announced next week.
11. Becoming the first to adopt green initiatives such as no free plastic bags, banning polystyrene bags, no-smoking zones, creating more public parks and bicycle lanes, car-free Sundays and achieving a recycling rate of 26 % this year when the national target is 20% by 2020;
12. Making George Town the most livable city(according to ECA International) for the first time in Malaysia in 2011 and repeated again in 2012
There is so many more achievements. But no one can deny that we have done more in 5 years than BN has one in 18 years. We have shown that despite our inexperience we can perform better than BN anytime, anyplace anywhere.
All these achievements are under threat. UMNO had declared their confidence of winning not only a 2/3 parliamentary majority but also Penang. Do not underestimate BN and UMNO. Do not underestimate the effectiveness of lies, threats and money politics as well as racist and extremist sentiments. UMNO are masters at these dirty tactics.
I know DAP leaders and members are not afraid of losing. But the people of Penang can not afford to lose their future to UMNO and BN. For the next general elections determines not just the fate of DAP but the destiny of the people. UMNO will ensure all our “golden programmes” for the rakyat and yearly allocations to schools will be gone. UMNO will ensure our democratic reforms and integrity measures will be replaced by a harsh repressive regime that is corrupt. UMNO will ensure a people-centric government will be replaced by a crony-driven government.
Just look at the way the RM43 million Tanjung City Marina is abandoned and the RM250 million expansion of the Penang International Airport is built serves to remind us how BN will govern Penang.
The next elections is crucial because it is about the people not about the politicians, it is about their future not about who holds what posts, it is how the people benefit from good policies and not about cutting off your ears and jumping into the river! Let us therefore unite as DAP who can bring change, prosperity, justice, freedom, democracy and public welfare to the people!
We in the DAP offer to deliver the Penang’s Promise of success to those who are honest, work hard, invest in the future and follow rules in a Penang that is clean, green, safe and healthy. DAP believes in the Penang basic character that to succeed we must be honest, to prosper we need to work hard, for our children to do well we as parents and government must invest in the future and for Penang to succeed, there must be rules – rule of law not rule by men.
This is the basic character for Penang’s past successes. Without any natural resources, it is the people who are the reason for Penang’s successes. And that is why the Penang PR state government and the DAP remains optimistic and confident in Penang’s future because we have faith in you the people. Whatever our obstacles or our problems we believe that the people will find a solution as long as the government is of the people, by the people and for the people.
We believe in Penang because we believe in the goodness of the people of Penang –Malays, Chinese Indians that goodness and hard work prevails. The state government will strive to reflect that basic character of Penangites because we believe in you!
—–BM Version —-
Ucapan pembukaan oleh Setiausaha Agung DAP dan Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang semasa Konvensyen Tahunan DAP Pulau Pinang pada 2.12.2012 di Red Rock Hotel.
Menyampaikan Janji Kejayaan Pulau Pinang Kepada Mereka Yang Jujur, Berusaha Kuat, Melabur Dalam Masa Depan Dan Mematuhi Undang-Undang Dalam Pulau Pinang Yang Lebih Bersih, Hijau, Selamat Dan Sihat.
Mari kita bermula dengan menyampaikan ribuan terima kasih kepada rakyat Pulau Pinang atas sokongan mereka selama lima tahun ini, dalam perjuangan bersejarah DAP untuk menubuhkan kerajaan yang bersih dan berjiwa rakyat di Pulau Pinang. Tidak juga kita lupa anda, pemimpin-pemimpin dan ahli-ahli, yang telah berdiri teguh bersama DAP selama 46 tahun dan merempuhi segala onak dan duri untuk memastikan kelestarian parti untuk berhidmat demi rakyat.
DAP boleh berdiri teguh kerana telah membuktikan bahawa bukan sahaja kita boleh menjadi pembangkang yang baik, kita juga boleh menjadi kerajaan yang lebih baik. Apabila mengambil alih kuasa pada tahun 2008, ramai yang meragui keupayaan kita untuk mentadbir dek kerana kekurangan pengalaman serta kecekapan sebagai ahli-ahli politik yang kebanyakannya bekas banduan.
Setelah lima tahun berkuasa, bukan sahaja keraguan itu sudah dibendung, malah terdapat kebimbangan bahawa kita tidak akan terus berkuasa di Pulau Pinang. Apakah yang berlaku dalam tempoh lima tahun ini yang telah mengakibatkan transformasi daripada pembangkang efektif kepada kerajaan yang lebih efektif?
Saya berani kata bahawa ciri-ciri DAP yang bersih dan jujur, kesetiaan kepada prinsip dan rakyat serta semangat berpasukan yang erat di kalangan pemimpin DAP merupakan asas kepada kejayaan kita, seperti yang ditunjukkan dalam slogan urustadbir CAT iaitu cekap, akauntabiliti dan telus. Terdapat enam cabaran awal yang telah menetapkan nada pentadbiran CAT ini.
Pertama, krisis pengangkutan awam dalam bulan pertama apabila Rapid Penang memboikot laluan-laluan di Komtar kerana membantah gangguan daripada bas-bas haram. Kita telah bertemu dan bersetuju untuk menyokong penuh Rapid Penang dan menghentikan bas-bas haram, lantas menyelesaikan masalah yang telah berlarutan selama 20 tahun.
Kedua, bayang-bayang kebangkrapan di Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai (MPSP) yang telah kerugian RM230 juta dalam 7 tahun. Kita telah melaksanakan reformasi yang penting dan memaksa keluar pegawai-pegawai yang membeli kereta Meredes Benz dan yang disyaki mempunyai harta yang luarbiasa. Kita telah berjaya mencatat lebihan kewangan dalam tahun pertama untuk MPSP setelah 10 tahun mengalami defisit. Kini, MPSP sudah diselamatkan oleh kerajaan negeri PR daripada kemuflisan gara-gara BN.
Ketiga, penyelewengan tanah oleh kerajaan negeri BN selama 50 tahun bukan sahaja telah mengakibatkan kerugian tetapi mengurangkan kuasa ke atas sumber-sumber negeri. Kerajaan negeri BN yang terdahulu telah menjual 4,000 ekar tanah pada harga murah, percuma atau dengan syarat-syarat pembayaran yang menguntungkan pembeli. Contohnya projek menebusguna tanah Lebuhraya Jelutong yang diberi terma pembayaran 10 tahun dan surat hak milik Pulau Jerejak yang diberi kepada UDA walaupun premium tanah tidak dibayar. Lebih teruk lagi skandal tanah Tan Hak Ju, di mana kerajaan negeri masih lagi terjerat dalam makamah. Sekali lagi, kita telah memindah keluar pegawai-pegawai yang terbabit dalam skandal-skandal kerajaan negeri BN. YB Chow Kon Yeow kini sedang menyediakan Kertas Putih tentang skandal-skandal tanah 4,000 ekar oleh kerajaan negeri BN.
Keempat, percubaan oleh BN untuk menyalahkan kerajaan negeri PR dalam skandal Kampung Buah Pala yang berusia 150 tahun apabila kerajaan BN sendiri yang menjual tanah negeri secara senyap dan telah memberi semua kelulusan pembangunan. PR telah menyelesaikan kemelut ini dengan memaksa pihak pemaju untuk memberi rumah dua tingkat, iaitu pakej pampasan yang terbaik dalam sejarah Malaysia. Kampung Buah Pala tidak diruntuhkan tetapi terus hidup dengan selesa dan bermartabat. Malangnya, BN telah mensabotaj usaha kerajaan negeri dan mengakibatkan 9 keluarga tidak mendapat pakej tersebut.
Kelima, demonstrasi rasis dan melampau oleh UMNO dan Perkasa terhadap usaha-usaha reformasi dengan pelaksanaan tender terbuka, peruntukan tahunan kepada sekolah serta tanda-tanda jalan dwi-bahasa di George Town. Kita terpaksa menghadapi demonstrasi-demonstrasi mingguan ini dengan membuktikan bahawa kita berlaku adil kepada semua tanpa mengira bangsa atau agama. Peruntukan untuk hal-ehwal agama Islam telah ditingkatkan berkali-kali ganda berbanding kerajaan lama dan kerajaan negeri PR telah mengambil langkah berani untuk memperolehi tanah milik Cina untuk tujuan kubur Islam di Jelutong.
Keenam, cabaran paling besar kerajaan negeri Pulau Pinang adalah untuk melantik pegawai yang terbaik dalam perkidmatan awam tanpa mengira bangsa, agama atau gender. Pulau Pinang tidak boleh berjaya dalam matlamat menjadi bandaraya antarabangsa dan pintar tanpa perkhidmatan awam yang pintar dan dapat mencapai tanda aras antarabangsa. Kita telah berkeras dan memastikan bahawa hanya mereka yang bersih dan tidak mempunyai agenda politik akan layak dilantik. Nasib baik, PR Pulau Pinang mempunyai majoriti 2/3, dan kerana itu adalah mustahak kita mengekalkan majoriti 2/3 ini supaya rakyat Pulau Pinang dapat memilih takdir sendiri dan tidak hanya diarah oleh Putrajaya. Ingat, hanya dengan melantik yang terbaik boleh kita menjadi yang terbaik.
Pemimpin-pemimpin DAP bersama dengan rakan-rakan PR telah menghadapi cabaran-cabaran ini dengan kepimpinan yang tegas. Kita berjaya kerana kita bersih dan setia kepada prinsip dan rakyat. Lihat sahaja kejayaan-kejayaan urustadbir CAT di Pulau Pinang.
1. Pulau Pinang telah menjadi no.1 dalam pelaburan di Malaysia buat kali pertama dalam sejarah pada tahun 2010. Kita telah mengulanginya lagi pada tahun 2011, lantas membuktikan bahawa kejayaan itu bukanlah hanya nasib tetapi hakikat. Pulau Pinang telah menyumbang 28% daripada jumlah pelaburan asing langsung Malaysia dalam dua tahun tersebut. 10 hari lalu Agilent Technologies telah mengumumkan pelaburan USD200 juta manakala B.Braun akan melabur RM1.75 bilion di Pulau Pinang.
2. Pulau Pinang kekal no. 1 dalam pelancongan perubatan dengan 60% jumlah kebangsaan. Pulau Pinang telah dipilih sebagai 8 pulau utama di dunia yang harus dilawat oleh Yahoo Travel. Festival Warisan George Town serta usaha untuk memelihara dan memulihara warisan telah menyuntik semangat baru kepada George Town. Lukisan-lukisan mural atas dinding rumah-rumah kedai lama kian mendapat pengiktirafan antarabangsa. Sektor pelancongan telah berkembang dengan kapasiti Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Pulau Pinang dijangka mencecah 5 juta penumpang setahun menjelang tahun depan. Projek pembesaran dan naik taraf yang baru harus dimulakan sebaik selesai sahaja projek penguahsuaian sekarang.
3. Lebihan bajet tahunan dan pengurangan hutang negeri sebanyak 95% telah diiktiraf dan dipuji oleh Laporan Ketua Audit Negara.
4. Pengamalan 6 langkah integriti dalam perang rasuah yang juga dipuji oleh Transparency Internatnal, iaitu pengisytiharan harta secara terbuka, pelaksanaan tender terbuka, melarang ahli-ahli keluarga daripada berurus niaga dengan kerajaan, melindungi peniup wisel yang tulen, menggugurkan pemimpin-pemimpin yang hidup mewah dan bersikap telus dalam sumbangan politik.
5. Peruntukan RM500 juta untuk Tabung Perumahan Mampu Milik Pulau Pinang untuk pembinaan 18,000 unit di serata negeri termasuk di bahagian pulau, iaitu jumlah paling besar oleh mana-mana kerajaan negeri. Untuk memastikan perumahan mampu milik yang berkualiti, HDB Singapura telah dilantik untuk memastikan perumahan setaraf Singapura akan disediakan di Pulau Pinang. 12,000 unit rumah mampu milik telah dibina dalam tempoh masa 5 tahun yang lepas, 4,000 unit oleh Perbadanan Pembangunan Pulau Pinang dan 8,000 unit oleh sektor swasta.
6. Membelanjakan wang RM100 juta untuk rakyat melalui program-program “emas” seperti warga emas, OKU, ibu tunggal, pelajar-pelajar IPTA, ibu bapa baru, kanak-kanak sekolah rendah dan menengah serta peruntukan tahunan kepada Sekolah Agama Rakyat, Cina dan Tamil.
7. Menjadi negeri pertama di Malaysia untuk membasmi miskin tegar pada tahun 2009 dan akan menjadi pertama di Malaysia untuk menghapuskan kemiskinan sama sekali pada tahun 2013 melalui Agenda Ekonomi Saksama (AES). Oleh kerana garis kemiskinan adalah RM763 sebulan untuk setiap isi rumah, maka Pulau Pinang hanya boleh bebas miskin sekiranya setiap keluarga mempunyai pendapatan sekurang-kurangnya RM770 sebulan. Untuk memastikan setiap keluarga mempunyai pendapatan minima RM770 sebulan, kerajaan negeri akan menambah nilai setiap bulan. Dengan kata lain, jika sesebuah keluarga mempunyai pendapatan RM600 sebulan, kerajaan negeri akan tambah nilai RM170 setiap bulan – bukan setiap 5 tahun atau setiap 50 tahun.
8. Melaksanakan reformasi demokratik seperti penubuhan Sudut Pidato pertama di Malaysia, meluluskan Enakmen Kebebasan Maklumat serta Enakmen Pilihan Raya Kerajaan Tempatan Pulau Pinang untuk memberi ruang untuk kebebasan bersuara, kebebasan maklumat serta undi ketiga untuk mengukuhkan demokrasi akar umbi.
9. Menghormati Islam sebagai agama Pulau Pinang dan juga kebebasan beragama dengan meningkatkan peruntukan, tanah dan juga menubuhkan Majlis Syura serta portfolio hal-ehwal agama bukan Islam. Tidak ada satu pun tokong, kuil atau surau yang dirobohkan melainkan satu kuil Hindu yang dirobohkan oleh Penang Port Sdn Bhd yang dimiliki kerajaan Persekutuan. Sebaliknya, Tokong Kek Lok Si dan Kuil Air Terjun Murugan akhirnya telah dibuka di bawah pentadbiran kerajaan negeri PR.
10. Membelanjakan 55% lebih untuk pembangunan infrastruktur berbanding kerajaan lama dengan pembinaan jalan raya, gelanggang futsal, dewan orang ramai, mahkamah Syariah dan perparitan. Mencadangkan projek-projek infrastruktur besar seperti sambungan ketiga antara Gurney Drive dengan Butterworth serta pemulihan Komtar dan pusat pameran dan konvensyen baru di sPICE, PISA. Satu lagi pusat pameran dan konvensyen akan diumumkan minggu depan.
11. Pertama untuk mengamalkan inisiatif hijau seperti kempen tiada beg plastik percuma, pengharaman bekas polistirena, zon-zon bebas asap, menyediakan lebih taman awam dan laluan basikal, Hari Ahad Tanpa Kenderaan dan mencatat kadar kitar semula 26% pada tahun ini, di mana sasaran kebangsaan adalah 20% menjelang 2020.
12. Menjadikan George Town sebagai bandar paling sesuai didiami (mengikut ECA International) untuk kali pertama pada tahun 2011 dan sekali lagi pada tahun 2012.
Terdapat banyak lagi kejayaan yang dicapai. Tiada sesiapa boleh menafikan bahawa kita telah mencapai jauh lebih banyak dalam masa 5 tahun berbanding BN dalam 18 tahun sebelumnya. Kita telah menunjukkan prestasi yang lebih baik daripada BN walaupun tidak berpengalaman.
Semua pencapaian ini kini diancam. UMNO telah mengumumkan keyakinan mereka untuk memenangi bukan sahaja majoriti 2/3 di parlimen tetapi juga di Pulau Pinang. Jangan memandang rendah BN dan UMNO. Jangan memandang rendah keberkesanan fitnah, ugutan dan politik ang serta sentimen perkauman dan ekstrimis. UMNO adalah raja taktik kotor.
Saya tahu pemimpin-pemimpin DAP dan ahli-ahli tidak takut untuk kalah. Tetapi rakyat Pulau Pinang tidak boleh kehilangan masa depan kepada UMNO dan BN. PRU yang akan datang akan menentukan bukan sahaja nasib DAP tetapi nasib rakyat. UMNO pasti akan menghapuskan semua “program emas” dan peruntukan tahunan kepada sekolah-sekolah. UMNO akan memastikan reformasi demokratik dan langkah-langkah integriti akan diganti dengan rejim korup serta menindas. UMNO akan menggantikan kerajaan berjiwa rakyat dengan kerajaan berjiwa kroni.
Lihat sahaja bagaimana projek RM43 juta Tanjung City Marina sudah terbengkalai serta kekhilafan projek RM250 juta pengubahsuaian dan naik taraf Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Pulau Pinang. Projek-projek ini menjadi peringatan bagaimana BN akan mentabir Pulau Pinang.
Pilihan Raya Umum yang akan datang sangat penting kerana ia berkisar pada rakyat dan bukan ahli politik, ia berkisar pada masa depan dan bukan jawatan, ia berkisar pada dasar yang memanfaatkan rakyat dan bukan dasar potong telinga dan terjun ke dalam sungai! Marilah kita bersatu kerana DAP mampu membawa perubahan, kesejahteraan, keadilan, kebebasan, demokrasi dan kebajikan awam kepada rakyat.
DAP berjanji untuk menyampaikan janji kejayaan Pulau Pinang kepada mereka yang jujur, berusaha kuat, melabur dalam masa depan dan mematuhi undang-undang dalam Pulau Pinang yang lebih bersih, hijau, selamat dan sihat. DAP percaya pada sifat hakiki rakyat Pulau Pinang iaitu kejujuran membawa kejayaan, kerja keras akan membawa kesejahteraan, dan kita sebagai ibu bapa dan kerajaan harus melabur dalam masa depan untuk memastikan kejayaan anak-anak kita. Akhirnya, kejayaan Pulau Pinang bergantung kepada undang-undang – keluhuran undang-undang dan bukan keluhuran pemimpin.
Inilah sifat hakiki kejayaan Pulau Pinang yang lampau. Tanpa sumber asli, rakyat menjadi faktor kejayaan. Oleh itu, kerajaan negeri PR dan DAP berasa optimis dan yakin dengan masa depan Pulau Pinang kerana kita percaya pada rakyat. Walau apa pun rintangan dan cabaran, kita percaya bahawa rakyat akan mencari penyelesaian selagi kerajaan merupakan kerajaan rakyat, oleh rakyat dan untuk rakyat.
Kita percaya pada Pulau Pinang kerana kita percaya bahawa kebaikan dan usaha rakyat Pulau Pinang – Melayu, Cina, India – akan mengatasi segalanya. Kerajaan negeri akan cuba sedaya upaya untuk mencerminkan sifat hakiki rakyat Pulau Pinang kerana kita percaya pada mu!
—– Mandarin Version —-
民主行动党秘书长兼槟州首席部长林冠英，于2012年12月2日在槟州常年代表大会上发表演讲：
让城实、辛勤、为未来投资、守法的槟州人民共享槟州净、绿、安、定的成就。
让我们首先感谢槟城人民这五年的支持，让行动党历史性地创建一个廉洁、以民为本的槟州政府。我们不会忘记全体党领袖及党员，在过去46年来对民主行动党不离不弃、经历多少风雨，让行动党生存下来，并且执政为民服务。
行动党可以骄傲地展示我们不仅在野时表现良好、在朝时表现更出色。我们于2008年赢得政权，当时有人怀疑我们没有经验，是否有能力执政，更有人怀疑我们是否有能力，因为我们都是坐过牢的政治人物。
经过执政五年， 我们不只消除这些疑虑，更多的担忧是我们无法在槟城保住政权。过去五年，在我们从有效力的在野党转型为有效力的政府时发生了什么事？
我敢说，行动党的廉正、诚实、忠于原则及人民、领袖的团队精神正是我们成功的基础。如我们的能干、公信及透明施政原则。我们的施政方针因最初六大挑战而形成：
第一、 在执政第一个月我们便遇上公共交通危机，槟城快捷通抵制光大路线，抗议非法巴士抢车位。我们见面，并决定全面支持槟城快捷通、逐步撤出非法巴士，解决了困扰槟城人20年的老问题。
第二、 威省市政局在7年人损失了2亿3000万令吉而濒临破产的局面。我们采取主要改革措施、逼走那些购买马赛地轿车、疑累积不正当财富的官员。我们得以在2008年底，让威省市政局在连续10年的赤字后，出现财政盈余。现有威省市政局财政有盈余，民联州政府挽救了国阵所造成的市政局破产局面。
第三、 国阵在过去50年导致的土地丑闻，不只导致损失，也让州政府失去资源。前朝国阵政府以低廉、优惠偿还条件甚至免费方式出让4000英亩的土地。像日落洞高速公路填海工程享有10年的偿还期、城市发展局没有偿还地价却获得木寇山的地契。更糟的是陈合裕土地丑闻，州政府还在努力向法庭追回债务。我们将那些与国阵一样涉及这些土地丑闻的官员调走。曹观友正在针对国阵政府的4000英亩土地丑闻准备白皮书。
第四、 在150年豆蔻村土地丑闻上，国阵企图怪罪民联州政府。而明明是国阵秘密卖掉州土地、发出发展批文。民联通过强迫发展商提供双层楼排屋给居民，这已是我国历史上最好的赔偿配套。豆蔻村没有被拆除，居民还是活得有尊严、舒适。不幸的是，国阵政府破坏州政府的努力，导致9个家庭无法获得上述赔偿配套。
第五、 我们在推行公开招标、发出常年拨款给学校、在乔治市安装多语文路牌，巫统及土权却展示的种族及极端主义。为了证明我们公平对待各族、各宗教，我们几乎每个星期都面对示威。我们比前朝政府拨出更多款项给伊斯兰事务，而民联政府甚至大胆地在日落洞收购一块华人的土地成为穆斯林坟场。
第六、 槟州政府最大的挑战是不分种族、宗教及性别，在公共服务方面委任合适的人做合适的工作。若非有才能及以国际水平为标准的公务员，槟州无法达致成为国际智能城市。我们坚持，那些有才能、廉正、无政治野心的人员符合资格。幸好槟州民联有三分之二多数议席，因此让民联继续持有三分之二多数议席，让槟城人民决定自己的命运而不是由布城摆布。记得，只有找到最合适的人，我们才能达致顶峰。
行动党领袖与民联成员党最初时面对上述问题并采取果断的领导。我们会成功，是因为我们廉正、忠于原则与人民。看看下列槟州能干、公信及透明的成就。
1. 槟州在2010年的所获投资额全马居冠。2011年再创高峰，证明我们的成功不是侥幸的。过去两年，槟州的外国投资额占全马28%。10天前，美国安捷伦科技宣布投资2亿美元、B.Braun 医药股份公司宣布投资 17亿5000万令吉；
2. 槟城在医药旅游方面进账第一名。槟城被雅虎旅游选为世界八大有生之年必游的岛屿。乔治市古迹庆典及维护古迹的努力让乔治市起死回生，我们在孝店屋上的壁画获得国际认同。旅游业成长迅速，槟城国际机场明年将可以承载500万名搭客。机场扩建工程一完工，明年必须再进行新的扩建计划。
3. 财政预算年年有余、州政府缩减95%债务，获得总稽查的表扬。
4. 采取六项反贪措施，获得国际透明组织赞扬：公布民选高官财产、推行公开招标、禁止官员家庭成员涉入政府合约、保护真正的吹哨人、撤掉生活奢华的国阵领袖、坦白交代政治献金;
5. 拨出5亿令吉给槟州可负担房屋计划，在州内各地兴建1万8000个单位，破了各州政府的记录。为了确保可负担房屋的素质，我们委任新加坡建屋局为顾问 ，确保槟城也有像新加坡那样的高素质公屋。过去5年，我们已经建了1万2000个公屋单位，槟州发展机构建了4000个，而私人界建了8000个;
6. 我们耗资1亿令吉推行福利金计划，拨款给乐龄人士、体障人士、单亲妈妈、国立大学生、新生儿、中小学生，以及常年制度化拨款给宗教学校、华校及淡米尔学校。
7. 2009年．槟州成为第一个扫除赤贫户的州属。在经济平等议程下，我们希望能在2013年成为第一个扫除贫穷户的州属。为了确保每户家庭每月收入达770令吉，州政府将会每个月“加额”，换句话说，如果一个家庭月入只有600令吉，那么州政府会另外每个月“补贴”170令吉 － 不用等到每五年，或每50年;
8. 推行民主改革，如设立全马第一个演说者角落、通过资讯自由法、立法推行槟州地方政府选举，提供言论及资讯自由之便利，同时通过第三票强化草根民主;
9. 尊重伊斯兰为槟城的官方宗教及宗教自由，增加拨款、土地、设立伊斯兰咨询理事会及非伊斯兰行政议员职，专司非穆斯林事务。我们没有拆除任何神庙、印度庙或祈祷堂，除了联邦政府属下槟州港口公司捣毁的兴都教神龛。反之，在民联执政期间，极乐寺及植物园路Murugan兴都庙终于举行盛大的开幕礼。
10. 我们比前朝政府花费额外55%来筑路、室内5 人足球俱乐部、民众会堂、伊斯兰法庭、排水系统。我们也建议兴建第三通道，在关仔角及北海之间兴建海底隧道、复兴光大、在湖内体育馆兴建新的国际会展中心sPICE。下个星期我们会再宣布另一个新的会展中心。
11. 成为第一个采取各种环保措施的州属如无免费塑料袋、禁用保丽龙、禁烟区、打造公共空间及脚车道、星期日无车日、今年再循环率为26%（全国目标为2020年20%）;
12. 让乔治市在2011年及2012年被ECA国际选为我国最宜居的城市。
还有很多成就，无可否认我们过去5年做得比国阵过去18年还多。尽管我们没有经验，我们已经证明我们随时随地比国阵做得更好。
我们的成就面对威胁。巫统已经宣布他们不只有信心赢得三分之二多数议席，也有信心赢回槟城。不要小看国阵及巫统。不要小看谎言、威胁、金钱政治、种族及极端情绪。巫统正是各种肮脏伎俩的幕后黑手。
我知道行动党领袖及党员不怕输。但是槟城人民输不起，他们不能把未来输给巫统和国阵。下届大选不只决定行动党的命运，也决定人民的命运。巫统可以确保所有人民福利金计划泡汤。巫统可以让我们的民主改革及制度化拨款瞬间化为乌有。巫统会以贪污腐败的压迫政权取代我们建立的民主改革及廉正措施。巫统会让朋党主导的政府来取代这个以民为本的政府。
看看耗资4300万令吉的丹戎城市游艇中心已经被废弃，还有联邦政府如何进行耗资2亿5000万令吉的槟城国际机场扩建计划，这些都提醒我们，国阵将会如何治理槟城。
下届大选非常关键，那与人民有关，不是与政治人物有关，那是人民的未来，无关谁掌握什么职位，那是与利民政策有关，而不是与割耳跳河有关。让我们团结起来，共同实现改变、繁荣、公义、自由、民主及人民福利。 行动党要让城实、辛勤、为未来投资、守法的槟州人民共享槟州净、绿、安、定的成就。我们相信槟城的基本特征，种瓜得瓜，要成功必须诚实、要辛勤才得繁荣，为我们的孩子、父母及政府，我们必须投资在未来。槟城要成功，必须有法治，而非人治。
这便是造就槟州的基本特征。我们没有天然资源，人才便是槟城成功的因素。因此，民联州政府及行动党对于槟州的未来感到乐观及有信心，因为我们相信人民。无论我们有什么问题，我们相信人们都会找到解决方案，只要这是“民有、民治、民享”的政府。
我们相信槟城。正如我们相信槟州人民－不论马来人、华人还是印度人都拥有善良及辛勤的美德。州政府会努力展现槟城人民的特质，因为我们相信大家！
林冠英
Greatest Najib disappointment at the 66th UMNO GA – failure to declare all-out war against corruption which is proof that UMNO incapable of change so long as it remains corrupted in the corridors of power
By Lim Kit Siang
UMNO’s “war” 66th General Assembly has ended with UMNO leaders confident and euphoric, with the UMNO Secretary-General Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and other UMNO leaders declaring that UMNO will not only triumph in the next general elections, but will win back the two-thirds parliamentary majority as well as all the four Pakatan states including Kelantan and Penang.
However, “Man proposes, God disposes”.
The possibility of Barisan Nasional wresting back the four Pakatan Rakyat states of Penang, Kelantan, Selangor and Kedah or blocking Pakatan Rakyat from winning back Perak State Government cannot be dismissed completely.
At the national level, the 13GE is going to be a nail-biting finish, with the outcome a toss-up as it could go either way with Barisan Nasional returned to Federal power in Putrajaya or Pakatan Rakyat replacing BN as the new Malaysian government breaking UMNO political hegemony.
The 13GE will be faced with a new Malaysian political demography – with the majority of the 29 million population of today born after Malaysia Day, with nearly 70 per cent living in the urban areas, eighty per cent are under the age of 45 while half of our people under the age of 25.
Who wins Putrajaya in the 13GE will not be decided by the BN or PR hardcore but the middle ground voters, comprising some 30 per cent of the 13.1 million, i.e. 4 million, registered electorate.
In the past fortnight, Pakatan Rakyat suffered its worst damage in this middle ground since its formation after the “political tsunami” of the 2008 general election.
Pakatan Rakyat must undo this damage if PR is to make history in the “mother of all general elections” in the 13GE expected in the next three to four months.
Pakatan Rakyat must not forfeit the trust, confidence and support of the middle ground voters to Barisan Nasional by default or any form of political insensitivity as PR needs the support and vote of every possible Malaysian, whether Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan or Iban; in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah or Sarawak; hard core supporter or middle ground undecided voter, if PR is to succeed in the herculean task of defeating BN in the 13GE.
Although the just-concluded “war” 66th UMNO General Assembly was painstakingly choreographed and orchestrated, with a lot of do’s and don’t’s for those who spoke at the four-day UMNO Assemblies to optimise UMNO’s appeal in the 13GE, the ineluctable conclusion of rational and thinking Malaysians is that despite all the talk of “transformation”, UMNO leaders and UMNO are incapable of change so long as UMNO remain corrupted in the corridors of power.
This is why I would rate the Prime Minister’s failure to declare an all-out war against corruption as the greatest Najib disappointment at the 66th UMNO General Assembly.
Compare this with the speech of China’s President and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Hu Jintao at last month’s 18th CCP Congress where he warned that corruption could trigger the collapse of the Party and the fall of the State – a theme which was taken up in the first speech of the new Chinese Communist Party leader, Xi Jinping, who denounced the prevalence of corruption and said officials needed to guard against its spread or it would “doom the party and the state”.
There is in fact more reason for Najib than Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping to give priority to the grave problem of corruption as in the last two decades, China have been making measurable progress in the battle against corruption while the reverse is the case for Malaysia.
If the trend of China’s improvement in the Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perception Index (CPI) in the past 17 years (1995-2011) and Malaysia’s regression continues unchecked, China will be placed in a better position than Malaysia in the TI CPI in less than five years.
Umno and Barisan Nasional have become synonymous with corruption in Malaysia and the 44 months of Najib premiership have shown that Najib is only good at mouthing anti-corruption slogans but totally lacking the political will and commitment to root out corruption, especially grand corruption involving political and government leaders.
This is why the 66th UMNO General Assembly presented the sad spectacle of the Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Aman, successfuly performing the “disappearance” act despite valiant efforts by the media representatives on a look-out for him to respond to demands by Sabah UMNO delegates that Musa explain the scandal of the RM40million “political donation to Sabah UMNO” which involved him and the Sabah timber trader Michael Chia.
Also most disturbing is the backing out and silence of the Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi coupled with the failure of Najib to respond to the serious allegations of integrity about a RM100 million defence ministry project in 2005 raised by businessman Deepak Jaikishan implicating the Prime Minister’s family and which is also related to the high-profile and long-running Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case.
Haunting Najib at the 66th UMNO General Assembly was the ghost of Altantuya Shaariibuu. Why couldn’t Altantuya’s ghost be appeased?
UMNO’s “war” 66th General Assembly has ended with UMNO leaders confident and euphoric, with the UMNO Secretary-General Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and other UMNO leaders declaring that UMNO will not only triumph in the next general elections, but will win back the two-thirds parliamentary majority as well as all the four Pakatan states including Kelantan and Penang.
However, “Man proposes, God disposes”.
The possibility of Barisan Nasional wresting back the four Pakatan Rakyat states of Penang, Kelantan, Selangor and Kedah or blocking Pakatan Rakyat from winning back Perak State Government cannot be dismissed completely.
At the national level, the 13GE is going to be a nail-biting finish, with the outcome a toss-up as it could go either way with Barisan Nasional returned to Federal power in Putrajaya or Pakatan Rakyat replacing BN as the new Malaysian government breaking UMNO political hegemony.
The 13GE will be faced with a new Malaysian political demography – with the majority of the 29 million population of today born after Malaysia Day, with nearly 70 per cent living in the urban areas, eighty per cent are under the age of 45 while half of our people under the age of 25.
Who wins Putrajaya in the 13GE will not be decided by the BN or PR hardcore but the middle ground voters, comprising some 30 per cent of the 13.1 million, i.e. 4 million, registered electorate.
In the past fortnight, Pakatan Rakyat suffered its worst damage in this middle ground since its formation after the “political tsunami” of the 2008 general election.
Pakatan Rakyat must undo this damage if PR is to make history in the “mother of all general elections” in the 13GE expected in the next three to four months.
Pakatan Rakyat must not forfeit the trust, confidence and support of the middle ground voters to Barisan Nasional by default or any form of political insensitivity as PR needs the support and vote of every possible Malaysian, whether Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan or Iban; in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah or Sarawak; hard core supporter or middle ground undecided voter, if PR is to succeed in the herculean task of defeating BN in the 13GE.
Although the just-concluded “war” 66th UMNO General Assembly was painstakingly choreographed and orchestrated, with a lot of do’s and don’t’s for those who spoke at the four-day UMNO Assemblies to optimise UMNO’s appeal in the 13GE, the ineluctable conclusion of rational and thinking Malaysians is that despite all the talk of “transformation”, UMNO leaders and UMNO are incapable of change so long as UMNO remain corrupted in the corridors of power.
This is why I would rate the Prime Minister’s failure to declare an all-out war against corruption as the greatest Najib disappointment at the 66th UMNO General Assembly.
Compare this with the speech of China’s President and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Hu Jintao at last month’s 18th CCP Congress where he warned that corruption could trigger the collapse of the Party and the fall of the State – a theme which was taken up in the first speech of the new Chinese Communist Party leader, Xi Jinping, who denounced the prevalence of corruption and said officials needed to guard against its spread or it would “doom the party and the state”.
There is in fact more reason for Najib than Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping to give priority to the grave problem of corruption as in the last two decades, China have been making measurable progress in the battle against corruption while the reverse is the case for Malaysia.
If the trend of China’s improvement in the Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perception Index (CPI) in the past 17 years (1995-2011) and Malaysia’s regression continues unchecked, China will be placed in a better position than Malaysia in the TI CPI in less than five years.
Umno and Barisan Nasional have become synonymous with corruption in Malaysia and the 44 months of Najib premiership have shown that Najib is only good at mouthing anti-corruption slogans but totally lacking the political will and commitment to root out corruption, especially grand corruption involving political and government leaders.
This is why the 66th UMNO General Assembly presented the sad spectacle of the Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Aman, successfuly performing the “disappearance” act despite valiant efforts by the media representatives on a look-out for him to respond to demands by Sabah UMNO delegates that Musa explain the scandal of the RM40million “political donation to Sabah UMNO” which involved him and the Sabah timber trader Michael Chia.
Also most disturbing is the backing out and silence of the Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi coupled with the failure of Najib to respond to the serious allegations of integrity about a RM100 million defence ministry project in 2005 raised by businessman Deepak Jaikishan implicating the Prime Minister’s family and which is also related to the high-profile and long-running Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case.
Haunting Najib at the 66th UMNO General Assembly was the ghost of Altantuya Shaariibuu. Why couldn’t Altantuya’s ghost be appeased?
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Najib is right – when UMNO and MCA cannot agree on the core issue whether Malays or non-Malays would be the losers if PR wins in 13GE, BN has lost the morality and legitimacy to rule in Putrajaya
By Lim Kit Siang
In his UMNO Presidential Address on Thursday, the Prime Minister and UMNO President Datuk Seri Najib Razak returned to the oft-repeated UMNO theme asking how Pakatan Rakyat comprising PKR, PAS and DAP are going to form a coalition government because of the differences on the core issues separating them.
Surely Najib knows that although PKR, PAS and DAP have our ideological differences, we have agreed to form Pakatan Rakyat and committed ourselves to a Common Policy Framework and the Buku Jingga programme of action for the 13th General Election and PR will be guided by what unites us and not by what divides us – but that is for another statement.
What I want to point out now is that Najib had hit the nail on the head although this was not his intention – as he has exposed the fact that Barisan Nasional has lost the morality and legitimacy to govern multi-racial, multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-religious Malaysia when UMNO and MCA cannot agree on the core issue whether Malays or non-Malays would be the losers if Pakatan Rakyat wins the 13th general election.
In the first day of the 66th UMNO General Assembly, UMNO delegates and the Malay community were warned that if UMNO loses the 13GE, Malays will lose political power and will be rendered “destitute” in their own land – a line rejected by the MCA leadership which had been going up and down the country invoking the spectre of an Islamic state and warning the Chinese and non-Malays that they will lose even more of their political, economic, educational, socio-economic, religious and citizenship rights if Pakatan Rakyat replaces UMNO/BN in Putrajaya.
UMNO leaders claim that if PR wins the 13GE, Malay rights would be sold down the drain – which is fully contradicted by MCA leaders who claim that the real losers in such a situation will be the Chinese and non-Malay rights.
Yesterday, this irresponsible, dishonest and anti-national politics of “divide and rule” continued in the UMNO General Assembly, with UMNO delegates warned of the danger of losing their Malay rights and the sovereignty of the Malay Rulers if DAP and Pakatan Rakyat are allowed to rule.
This is pure sedition, using lies and falsehoods to incite hatred and worsen racial and religious polarisation in the country just for Umno leaders to win votes and parliamentary seats in the 13GE, heedless of the damage, division and disunity this would cause to Malaysia.
This is the basic difference between the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat.
Unlike BN, PR wants all Malaysians to be the winners in the 13GE – the ordinary Malays, Chinese, Indians, Orang Asli, Kadazans and Ibans. Of course there will be the losers – the UMNO putras and their cronies in the Barisan Nasional component parties.
If Najib is sincere about his signature 1Malaysia policy, he should denounce the irresponsible, divisive and dastardly politics of “divide and rule” based on lies and falsehoods perpetrated by UMNO, MCA and BN leaders.
But is Najib, who cloaks himself in the garb of “Father of Transformation”, capable of such transformation himself to be a “Malaysian First” to end the politics of “divide and rule” in UMNO and BN and compete with Pakatan Rakyat on the positive and constructive politics of “unite and rule”?
In his UMNO Presidential Address on Thursday, the Prime Minister and UMNO President Datuk Seri Najib Razak returned to the oft-repeated UMNO theme asking how Pakatan Rakyat comprising PKR, PAS and DAP are going to form a coalition government because of the differences on the core issues separating them.
Surely Najib knows that although PKR, PAS and DAP have our ideological differences, we have agreed to form Pakatan Rakyat and committed ourselves to a Common Policy Framework and the Buku Jingga programme of action for the 13th General Election and PR will be guided by what unites us and not by what divides us – but that is for another statement.
What I want to point out now is that Najib had hit the nail on the head although this was not his intention – as he has exposed the fact that Barisan Nasional has lost the morality and legitimacy to govern multi-racial, multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-religious Malaysia when UMNO and MCA cannot agree on the core issue whether Malays or non-Malays would be the losers if Pakatan Rakyat wins the 13th general election.
In the first day of the 66th UMNO General Assembly, UMNO delegates and the Malay community were warned that if UMNO loses the 13GE, Malays will lose political power and will be rendered “destitute” in their own land – a line rejected by the MCA leadership which had been going up and down the country invoking the spectre of an Islamic state and warning the Chinese and non-Malays that they will lose even more of their political, economic, educational, socio-economic, religious and citizenship rights if Pakatan Rakyat replaces UMNO/BN in Putrajaya.
UMNO leaders claim that if PR wins the 13GE, Malay rights would be sold down the drain – which is fully contradicted by MCA leaders who claim that the real losers in such a situation will be the Chinese and non-Malay rights.
Yesterday, this irresponsible, dishonest and anti-national politics of “divide and rule” continued in the UMNO General Assembly, with UMNO delegates warned of the danger of losing their Malay rights and the sovereignty of the Malay Rulers if DAP and Pakatan Rakyat are allowed to rule.
This is pure sedition, using lies and falsehoods to incite hatred and worsen racial and religious polarisation in the country just for Umno leaders to win votes and parliamentary seats in the 13GE, heedless of the damage, division and disunity this would cause to Malaysia.
This is the basic difference between the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat.
Unlike BN, PR wants all Malaysians to be the winners in the 13GE – the ordinary Malays, Chinese, Indians, Orang Asli, Kadazans and Ibans. Of course there will be the losers – the UMNO putras and their cronies in the Barisan Nasional component parties.
If Najib is sincere about his signature 1Malaysia policy, he should denounce the irresponsible, divisive and dastardly politics of “divide and rule” based on lies and falsehoods perpetrated by UMNO, MCA and BN leaders.
But is Najib, who cloaks himself in the garb of “Father of Transformation”, capable of such transformation himself to be a “Malaysian First” to end the politics of “divide and rule” in UMNO and BN and compete with Pakatan Rakyat on the positive and constructive politics of “unite and rule”?
Avoiding a Centenary of UMNO’s rule
To achieve all these noble goals, one must first and foremost stop whining but be courageous enough to get rid of UMNO.
By Josh Hong | Malaysiakini
It is obvious by now that UMNO will never change. Judging from the waves of public protests involving multiracial crowds over the last two years, the determination on the part of a significant segment of Malaysian society to exorcise the ghost of May 13 is unambiguous as well as undisputed.
Still, UMNO’s ruling elite, lacking policy imagination and integrity, will do everything to ensure that the country remains haunted by the racial backlash that happened more than four decades ago.
The choice has become much clearer after Shahrizat Abdul Jalil’s scare tactic at the UMNO General Assembly two days ago: vote Barisan Nasional and see one dignity trampled in perpetuity, or opt for the alternative with a view to overhauling and reshaping Malaysia’s political structure.
None of the speeches by UMNO leaders at the assembly has been inspiring. Shahrizat’s shameless reference to the 1969 national tragedy should be condemned by all in no uncertain terms, yet her party colleagues have failed miserably to assure the general public there would be a peaceful transition of power in the event of regime change.
Muhyiddin Yassin’s warning of chaos should Pakatan Rakyat come to power is indicative of the fact that the highest echelons within UMNO may not rule out the possibility of resorting to extra-constitutional measures, while rule by decree is not a fantasy. It happened in May 1969 under Najib Abdul Razak’s father, and it can happen again.
And what is so special about Najib’s ‘apology’ over BN’s past mistakes that it has captured the attention of all the propagandists masquerading as ‘senior journalists’, including Tay Tian Yan of Sin Chew Daily?
Let’s put Najib’s sincerity under the closest scrutiny, The following is exactly what the apprentice prime minister who has been dodging his political opponents and the rakyat in public debate actually said:
“Bumi mana tak ditimpa hujan, laut mana tidak bergelora, bahagian dunia manakah yang wujudnya orang, atau pimpinan, atau persyarikatan atau parti yang tidak pernah tersandung atau tersalah. Di atas segalanya, sebagai kepimpinan parti dan kerajaan, kami menyusun jari nan sepuluh memohon maaf atas kekhilafan.”
The keyword here is ‘kekhilafan’, which means ‘kesilapan’ in colloquial Malay, or ‘omission’ in plain English. One Indonesian dictionary defines it as ‘kesilapan yang tidak disengaja’, or ‘unintentional omission’.
Has Najib shown penance?
Now, can one search one’s own heart and say Najib has indeed shown penance for all the transgressions committed by the BN government over the past few decades? Or does one honestly think the wanton use of all the draconian laws – ranging from the Internal Security Act, the Sedition Act to the Emergency Ordinance – has been unintentional? Or the series of misuse of public funds and the inability to weed out corruption are merely an ‘omission’?
Or the shocking murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu was simply a negligence on the part of the two ‘accused’, a case in which no motive was found for the killing? Or time and again firing teargas into peaceful crowds was just a ‘mistake’?
Furthermore, when Najib asked ‘in which corner of the world is there a leader or a party which has never made a mistake’, he was practically behaving like Jackie Chan. When Chan’s mistress went public with his extra-marital affair more than ten years ago, the movie star ‘apologised’ by arguing that he had just ‘misbehaved’ as any other man in the world would.
Can one take it as a heartfelt apology?
As UMNO’s arrogance and obstinacy are laid bare, the emperor is proven naked again. Portraying Najib as a reformist, as many ‘senior journalists’ have been doing, is a futile attempt, for a real leader must be bold enough to do the impossible, including confronting the conservative forces within the party. Najib has been given more than three years to prove his calibre, but has failed to rise to the challenge at every opportunity.
One may ask: would the alternative be any better given that PAS is bent on implementing its idea of an Islamic state? The fact is, Malaysia’s public institutions – be it Parliament, the Judiciary, the Police Force or the Public service – have been turned into serving only UMNO’s interests. The Malay party could not have maintained its rule for so many years without having first subjugated all these institutions.
The next general election represents a golden opportunity for Malaysians to put the country back on the right track; it is also a chance for us to restore the original spirits of the Malaysian federation by introducing an electoral reform that could ensure no one political party is dominant and also giving powers back to the various federal states, especially Sabah and Sarawak that have been reduced to nothing more than colonies.
To achieve all these noble goals, one must first and foremost stop whining but be courageous enough to get rid of UMNO. Anything short of that would only turn out to be a self-fulfiling prophecy: A centenary of UMNO’s rule.
By Josh Hong | Malaysiakini
It is obvious by now that UMNO will never change. Judging from the waves of public protests involving multiracial crowds over the last two years, the determination on the part of a significant segment of Malaysian society to exorcise the ghost of May 13 is unambiguous as well as undisputed.
Still, UMNO’s ruling elite, lacking policy imagination and integrity, will do everything to ensure that the country remains haunted by the racial backlash that happened more than four decades ago.
The choice has become much clearer after Shahrizat Abdul Jalil’s scare tactic at the UMNO General Assembly two days ago: vote Barisan Nasional and see one dignity trampled in perpetuity, or opt for the alternative with a view to overhauling and reshaping Malaysia’s political structure.
None of the speeches by UMNO leaders at the assembly has been inspiring. Shahrizat’s shameless reference to the 1969 national tragedy should be condemned by all in no uncertain terms, yet her party colleagues have failed miserably to assure the general public there would be a peaceful transition of power in the event of regime change.
Muhyiddin Yassin’s warning of chaos should Pakatan Rakyat come to power is indicative of the fact that the highest echelons within UMNO may not rule out the possibility of resorting to extra-constitutional measures, while rule by decree is not a fantasy. It happened in May 1969 under Najib Abdul Razak’s father, and it can happen again.
And what is so special about Najib’s ‘apology’ over BN’s past mistakes that it has captured the attention of all the propagandists masquerading as ‘senior journalists’, including Tay Tian Yan of Sin Chew Daily?
Let’s put Najib’s sincerity under the closest scrutiny, The following is exactly what the apprentice prime minister who has been dodging his political opponents and the rakyat in public debate actually said:
“Bumi mana tak ditimpa hujan, laut mana tidak bergelora, bahagian dunia manakah yang wujudnya orang, atau pimpinan, atau persyarikatan atau parti yang tidak pernah tersandung atau tersalah. Di atas segalanya, sebagai kepimpinan parti dan kerajaan, kami menyusun jari nan sepuluh memohon maaf atas kekhilafan.”
The keyword here is ‘kekhilafan’, which means ‘kesilapan’ in colloquial Malay, or ‘omission’ in plain English. One Indonesian dictionary defines it as ‘kesilapan yang tidak disengaja’, or ‘unintentional omission’.
Has Najib shown penance?
Now, can one search one’s own heart and say Najib has indeed shown penance for all the transgressions committed by the BN government over the past few decades? Or does one honestly think the wanton use of all the draconian laws – ranging from the Internal Security Act, the Sedition Act to the Emergency Ordinance – has been unintentional? Or the series of misuse of public funds and the inability to weed out corruption are merely an ‘omission’?
Or the shocking murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu was simply a negligence on the part of the two ‘accused’, a case in which no motive was found for the killing? Or time and again firing teargas into peaceful crowds was just a ‘mistake’?
Furthermore, when Najib asked ‘in which corner of the world is there a leader or a party which has never made a mistake’, he was practically behaving like Jackie Chan. When Chan’s mistress went public with his extra-marital affair more than ten years ago, the movie star ‘apologised’ by arguing that he had just ‘misbehaved’ as any other man in the world would.
Can one take it as a heartfelt apology?
As UMNO’s arrogance and obstinacy are laid bare, the emperor is proven naked again. Portraying Najib as a reformist, as many ‘senior journalists’ have been doing, is a futile attempt, for a real leader must be bold enough to do the impossible, including confronting the conservative forces within the party. Najib has been given more than three years to prove his calibre, but has failed to rise to the challenge at every opportunity.
One may ask: would the alternative be any better given that PAS is bent on implementing its idea of an Islamic state? The fact is, Malaysia’s public institutions – be it Parliament, the Judiciary, the Police Force or the Public service – have been turned into serving only UMNO’s interests. The Malay party could not have maintained its rule for so many years without having first subjugated all these institutions.
The next general election represents a golden opportunity for Malaysians to put the country back on the right track; it is also a chance for us to restore the original spirits of the Malaysian federation by introducing an electoral reform that could ensure no one political party is dominant and also giving powers back to the various federal states, especially Sabah and Sarawak that have been reduced to nothing more than colonies.
To achieve all these noble goals, one must first and foremost stop whining but be courageous enough to get rid of UMNO. Anything short of that would only turn out to be a self-fulfiling prophecy: A centenary of UMNO’s rule.
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