Press Statement By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In Komtar, George Town On 25.8.2017.
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Lim Guan Eng Will Not Be Bullied To Become An UMNO Chief Minister But Boldly Stand Up To BN’s Bullying To Be A People’s Chief Minister Fighting Cronyism, Corruption And Abuse of Power.
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From his trademark lies and boasts, Minister in Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan is now trying to bully Penangites with threats that Penang will lose its status as a leading financial, investment and industrial centre, if they continue to support Pakatan Harapan in the coming general elections. This is an indirect admission by Abdul Rahman that since Pakatan took over in 2008, Penang has slowly recovered from its state of decline by attracting more investments, jobs and tourism.
Penang have recorded strong investment growth of 73% in the manufacturing sector over the 9 year period between 2008-2016 of RM 59 billion, compared to RM 34 billion for the previous 9 years period between 1999 to 2007. New job opportunities increased by 15% to 139,133 new jobs for the period 2008-2016 compared to the same period of 121,511 new jobs between 1999-2007.
In a recent speech in Penang, Abdul Rahman even showed his political hypocrisy and double-standards when he said that UMNO cannot be championing ketuanan Melayu in Penang, because the political dynamics here are different. Abdul Rahman Dahlan also made personal attacks against me for becoming too powerful, when he said it was time to separate the Chief Minister from state government agencies such as the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and PBA Holdings Bhd (PBAHB) if Barisan Nasional wins the state in the next general election.
This is typical BN double-standards when it was the previous BN state government that had enacted legislation that these state agencies are to be chaired by the Chief Minister. Further, why is it ok for other BN Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers to chair the state agencies but not for Penang? Lim Guan Eng will not be bullied to become an UMNO Chief Minister but boldly stand up to BN’s bullying to be a people’s Chief Minister fighting cronyism, corruption and abuse of power.
In their general election manifesto, Penang BN should clearly state whether they will demolish all illegal hawkers, structures, factories, temples, Indian kuils and churches(illegal situation) if they win power. This will provide a clear contrast to the Pakatan state government policy of not taking action against such illegal situation built before 2008, but try to resolve it amicably either by legitimastising it or relocation, unless the illegal structures block traffic or disturb the public. Let the people decide who is right and trustworthy and who has no shame!
LIM GUAN ENG