Penang: The day after tomorrow
Friday, March 14th, 2008 | 6:43 pm @ SK
Some 1,000 Umno members and supporters, led by Penang Umno secretary Azhar Ibrahim staged an one-hour protest outside the Penang state government office in Komtar this afternoon, to protest Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s declaration that the new DAP-led state government would do away with the New Economic Policy (NEP) policies.
Earlier, the state UMNO called upon the federal government to scrap all the mega projects in the state as Penangites voted for change, in which to the Penang’s UMNO, it means that Penangites rejected development.
The mega projects in the state, include those planned under the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), the second Penang Bridge, the light monorail transit system, the Penang Outer Ring Road, the Penang Sentral and the RapidPenang bus service.
Luckily, former chief minister Koh Tsu Koon, who is also the Gerakan’s acting president spoke some sense when he rejected the Umno’s call by saying that those infrastructure projects are crucial for the future economy and quality of life for Penang and its neighboring states.
In fact, the right thing to do is for the losing party to realize that this is the kind of political arrogance that Penangites reject, as we can see based on the outcome of the GE 2008, in which Opposition coalition swept to a landslide victory.
Instead of playing to the gallery by provoking people’s sentiment, it’s wiser for the losing camp to conduct a thorough post-mortem on the disastrous lost and continues to serve the rakyat.
Besides, looks like a serial of events are in place to sabotage the newly established state government, in which rumors which are deemed dangerous enough to destroy the spirit of goodwill among the multi-races in Penang was rejected by the new CM.
"This new government is the government of all the people of Penang, irrespective of political background, race or religion. We want to represent all the people in this state," he said.
Furthermore, in his latest response, Guan Eng said UMNO leaders can see him to highlight problems in Malay community without the demonstration.
Having said all that, I think it’s fair that Penangites from various ethnic groups provide ample time for the newly establishment state government to settle down, without resorting to any knee-jerk reaction which may further worsen the situation.
Simultaneously, in return, the State Government must get down to work immediately and not to engage in political rhetoric and instead adopt a constructive and positive approach to sustain inter-ethnic harmony and social stability as well as to provide taking constructive steps to provide a conducive environment to ensure the smooth implementation of all projects for the continued economic development in Penang.
Anything less than that is going to going to create more loopholes for the doomsayer to capitalize on, which might put the state into another round of chaotic situation, giving an impression that the new state leadership as incapable and ruthless.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Please ask those people to read this news by PM Abdullah
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=319857
NEP Ended In 1991, MAPEN In Place No
So there is no need for protest.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
[…] So, why the dissatisfaction? […]
March 14th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
hello, street protest aint no malaysian culture. whats happening?
March 15th, 2008 at 5:49 am
Actually most Malays are fine with the new DAP-PKR government. It is only UMNO cronies who are afraid of not getting contracts that are making loud noise. They hired some actors to stage the ‘demonstration’. The head of UMNO cronies I am talking about is Musa Bin Haji Sheikh Fadzir. Not surprisingly he is a MAMAK!
http://www.parlimen.gov.my/DewNegara_KedAhli_detail.php?id=401
March 15th, 2008 at 6:02 am
21 NGO Islam puas hati penjelasan KM P.Pinang mengenai kedudukan Melayu dan Islam PDF Print E-mail
Posted by Erin
Friday, 14 March 2008
(Bernama) Pulau Pinang: Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang Lim Guan Eng meminta rakyat Pulau Pinang tidak mendengar khabar angin yang boleh merosakkan semangat muhibah antara kaum di negeri ini.
Beliau berkata tindakan golongan tidak bertanggungjawab yang menyebarkan pelbagai khabar angin itu boleh menjejaskan usaha kerajaan baru mewujudkan keharmonian di negeri ini.
“Penasihat Jemaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) Pulau Pinang Dr Danial Zainal Abidin yang mengetuai 21 NGO Islam dalam pertemuan dengan Lim berpuas hati dengan penjelasan yang diberikan berhubung kedudukan orang Melayu dan penganut agama Islam di negeri ini”
“Kerajaan baru ini adalah kerajaan untuk semua rakyat Pulau Pinang tidak kira latar belakang politik, kaum dan agama. Kami memang hendak mewakili semua rakyat negeri ini,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas mengadakan pertemuan tertutup dengan 21 Badan Bukan Kerajaan (NGO) Islam di pejabatnya di sini hari ini.
Turut hadir pada perjumpaan itu ialah kedua-dua Timbalan Ketua Menteri I dan II iaitu Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin dan Prof Dr P.Ramasamy.
Pada pertemuan itu, Lim sekali lagi mengulangi jaminannya bahawa kerajaan gabungan DAP-Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) tidak akan meminggirkan orang Melayu dan penganut agama Islam.
“Kedudukan Islam tidak dipertikaikan dan semua khabar angin tentang azan tidak boleh dilaungkan adalah tidak benar, ini pertama kali saya dengar cerita seperti ini.
“Kita mahu dengar suara rakyat jadi jika suara rakyat nak didengar maka suara azan juga nak didengar,” katanya.
Pada pertemuan itu, Lim juga memaklumkan bahawa beliau akan mengadakan perbincangan dengan Mohammad Fairus mengenai kedudukan orang Melayu di Tanjung Tokong.
“Tanjong Tokong adalah kawasan penempatan Melayu pertama yang saya lawati sebelum mengangkat sumpah jawatan dan saya beritahu penduduk di sana bahawa mereka ada kawan di pejabat Ketua Menteri,” katanya.
Sementara itu penasihat Jemaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) Pulau Pinang Dr Danial Zainal Abidin yang mengetuai 21 NGO Islam dalam pertemuan dengan Lim berpuas hati dengan penjelasan yang diberikan berhubung kedudukan orang Melayu dan penganut agama Islam di negeri ini.
March 15th, 2008 at 9:20 am
they got Police Permit already meh????
after elections, we see many sort and breed of hooligans taking to the streets.
is the country heading towards Papua New Guinea meh….
March 15th, 2008 at 9:43 am