OBJECTIVES

1. To review and assess the manifestoes and promises made by Pakatan Rakyat prior to and after 2008 General Election.
2. To provide positive monitoring and supervision of Pakatan Rakyat government regarding their implementation of GE manifestoes and promises.
3. To guard and protect the people’s rights to authentic information and to ensure the accessibility of information by the people.
4. To ensure persistent and continuous supervision and act as watchdog to the state government.
5. To encourage the involvement of the people in the process of supervision to the state government as well.

Issues (1) The Pakatan Rakyat government has attracted RM10.0 billion in investments

Details:
Penang Chief Minister YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng kept on emphasizing that the Pakatan Rakyat government managed to attract RM10.0 billion in investments.

Status:
The world economic crisis is already affecting the electronics and manufacturing industry with reduced orders. Was the RM10.0 billion actual investments or just commitment on paper?

How and when can the people of Penang benefit from the RM10.0 billion investments?

Issues (2) The Penang government has created 20,000 job opportunities

Details:
On 14 February 2009, Penang Chief Minister YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng said last year’s Penang foreigner investment broken the record of totally more than RM10.0 billion and has created 20,000 job opportunities.

Status:
What are the details of the 20,000 jobs, eg, what are the companies employing, type of job, location of companies, etc.
Where can the people register for the 20,000 jobs?

Issues (3) Penang retrenchment figure

Details:
On 5 February 2009, Penang Chief Minister YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng said there were 791 people retrenched in January.

On 13 February 2009, the Labour Department announced that 1,269 people were retrenched.

On 28 February 2009, the Labour Department said that there were 1,900 people registered with the department for jobs.

On 5 March 2009, Penang Chief Minister YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng said that since last December until now, there were 4,042 people jobless and looking for jobs.

Status:
With Intel relocation to Kulim, if the workers from Penang are not prepared to go to work in the Kulim plant, then they will be considered as voluntarily resigning. Is this not another form of retrenchment?

In a situation where 20,000 jobs were looking for people (job market), how does the government plan to arrange for new jobs for this 4,042 people who were looking for jobs?

Issues (4) Penang State Government applying for allocations from Federal Government

Details:
On 11 September 2008, Penang Chief Minister YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng has written to the Prime Minister to request for a RM970 million allocations for flood mitigation projects.

On 14 November 2008, Penang State Government has applied to the Federal Government for RM13 million “Seeds Fund” to maintain the uniqueness of Penang’s heritage.

On 14 January 2009, Penang Chief Minister YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng has applied to the Federal Government for an allocation of RM 500 million for purposes of retraining its skilled workforce.

On 2 February 2009, Penang Chief Minister YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng plans to meet the Second Finance Minister to discuss the possibility of the Federal Government allocating of RM 100 million for the retraining programmes.

On 4 February 2009, The Penang State Government is seeking RM51.6 million in funds from the Federal Government to restore state-owned heritage buildings, offer soft loans to owners of historic dwellings to maintain its status as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site, including an arch and wall, like those found in heritage cities which costs RM10 million.

Status:
Has the Penang State Government submitted any proposals and working papers to Federal Government regarding their request for allocations, specifying short, medium and long-term plans together with implementation and review schedules?

Has the Penang State Government consulted UNESCO or Penang Heritage Committee with regard to its plan to build “an arch and wall of a heritage city?”

Issues (5) The chronological event of implementation of Chinese road signs to multilingual road signs by Penang DAP

Details
On 25 June 2007, DAPSY Penang put up Chinese road signs at Jalan Kapitan Keling and few areas within Tanjong.

On 12 January 2008, DAP officially promote civil society to put up Chinese road sign “sticker” at their own properties.

On 22 May 2008, ADUN Paya Terubong YB Tuan Yeoh Soon Heng cum MPPP Councillor said that the Chinese road sign measures have been adopted by the local government.

On 7 October 2008, Penang State Exco Member YB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow was unable to give a definite date for the installation of Chinese road signs.

On 5 November 2008, Gabungan Graduan Melayu Muda (GGMM) filed a summons in court against the Penang State Government to stop multilingual road sign being put up in Georgetown Heritage Site.

On 6 November 2008, Gerakan Penang State Chairman Dato’ Dr Teng Hock Nan supported the government leaded by DAP to install multilingual road sign in Georgetown Heritage Site, in order to enhance the multicultural value of Penang hence promoting state tourism.

On 22 November 2008, Penang State Government installed 5 multilingual road signs along Lebuh Acheh and Lebuh Carnavon, in Malay, Arabic, Chinese and Tamil language.

On 22 January 2009, Penang State Government installed 5 more multilingual road signs at Lebuh Campbell, Lebuh Armenian, Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh Cannon and Pengkalan Weld.

Status:
Only very few multilingual road signs had been erected in Georgetown Heritage Site. We urge Penang Chief Minister YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng to implement multilingual road sign in Penang in the shortest time to avoid probable obstacles in future.

Issues (6) Restoration of Local Government Election

Details:
DAP in early March 2005 launched the “Restore The Third Vote” campaign, urging the Barisan Nasional to restore elections for local governments. During the campaign for GE12, Pakatan Rakyat signed a memorandum proposing the restoration of local government elections.

During the 308 General Election, DAP’s manifesto promised that they will restore Local Government Elections.

Status:
Now that DAP has formed the Penang State Government, we urge YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng as the Chief Minister and also as the Secretary-General of DAP to put forward their implementation schedule for the restoration of local government elections.

Issues (7) Extend the leasehold of industrial land to 99 years, and convert commercial and residential land from leasehold to freehold status

Details:
On 25 May 2008, the Penang State Executive Council (EXCO) has approved that the leasehold status for industrial lands be extended to a maximum of 99 years, and that commercial and residential leasehold lands be converted into freehold lands status.

Status:
How many applications have been received, and out of the applications received, how many have been approved?

Issues (8) Penang government’s plan to eradicate hardcore poverty

Details:
On 13 July 2008, Penang Chief Minister YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng announced that his government is committed to eradicating hardcore poverty completely by 2008.

Surprisingly on 23 February 2009, CM changed his stand and has become unsure as to whether the government can fully eradicate hardcore in the state by March this year.

Status:
CM said from December last year to March this year, and then changed to end of this year to achieve zero hardcore poverty in Penang. When exactly can Penang achieve zero hardcore poverty rate?

Has CM planned a short and long term strategy to completely eradicate hardcore poverty effectively and continuously?

Issues (9) Implementation of an efficient public transportation system

Details:
On 27 March 2008, Penang Chief Minister YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng proposed to replace the Monorail Project with an underground LRT project and the building of an underground tunnel to solve flooding problem in George Town.

On 21 July 2008, the Penang State Government announced the restoration of Syarikat Bas Pulau Pinang to provide competition to Rapid Penang in order to increase the quality of public transportation system.

On 12 November 2008, an American private company proposed to the Penang State Government, the implementation of an Aerobus project. CM had accepted the said proposal and that proposal was included in 2009 State Budget.

On 24 February 2009, YB Tuan Lim Hock Seng the Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee Chairman said that the project for building a cable car will be decided at year end.

Status:
Are all these projects namely monorail, LRT, Aerobus and Cable Car viable and implementable. Is the State Government serious about these projects?

The State Government had announced its intention to established Syarikat Bas Pulau Pinang to takeover private bus service, why until today it is not yet implemented?

The American private company had committed to submit a working paper to the State Government within 2 months regarding the propose Aerobus project. We urged the CM to reveal the implementation proposal of the working paper in line with the transparency concept exhorted by him.

Issues (10) Penang Land Scams

Details:
On 1 August 2008, Penang Chief Minister YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng revealed that there were two land scams involving RM124 million and have purportedly lodged a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA). He also highly publicized the issue try to tarnish the previous government.

Status:
Has the CM lodged any complaints with the ACA or police on his allegation of the land scams? If he has failed to do so, what is the justification?

Why is there an absolute silence on the issue after the debate between YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng and former CM Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon?

Issues (11) The Reserve Funds of the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP)

Details:
On 3 April 2008, Penang Chief Minister YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng announced that the State Government will appoint an audit firm to audit the accounts of the MPSP on the accumulated expenditures of RM200 million over the last 8 years.

On 18 November 2008, CM said that the MPSP had spent RM225 million within 6 years. He also likened the ‘disappearance’ of RM225 million from the MPSP reserves to that of David Copperfield’s magic show.

Status:
On 2 December 2008, The Penang State Government has appointed the State Financial Officer, Dato’ Supiah binti Md. Yusof, as acting President of MPSP and ordered the latter to investigate into the so called disappearance of the reserve funds worth RM 200 million. So, what is the outcome of the investigation? Is there element of criminality?

Issues (12) Penang State Government will accomplish the free wireless online project within 2 years

Details:
On 26 September 2008, Penang Chief Minister YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng admitted that due to the obvious benefit of wireless online to Penangites, it is unnecessary to obtain opinion and feedback from the public.

On 7 January 2009, in order to expedite the implementation of wireless online, Penang State Government decided to waive the building plan and planning permission for structures to locate the transmitters.

On 22 January 2009, Penang State Government launched the pilot wireless online project at Komtar, Bukit Jambul Complex and Queensbay Mall. Penang Chief Minister reiterated that the radio frequency radiation from wireless online has no adverse health effect.

Status:
What is the stance of the State Government regarding the harmful effect of electromagnetic radiation since more and more reports shows it can caused serious healthy hazard?

In view of the susceptibility and vulnerability of certain age group of people mainly infants, children and senior citizen, does Penang State Government consider creating WiFi Free Zones?

While WHO is urging the authorities to practice precautionary approach ,why Penang State Government decided to waive the planning permission and building plan required from the industries?

As yet today, how many access points for WiFi and transmitters for WiMAX have been fixed or constructed and where are the exact locations?

We urge the Penang State Government to disclose the full details of the contract with the suppliers and contractors for Wireless @ Penang.

Issues (13) Penang State Government emphasized on open tender

Details:
On 20 March 2008, the Penang State EXCO decided that all government contracts have to be done through open tender.

Status:
May we ask since March last year, how many government contracts have been awarded through open tender?

Was there any government contracts awarded without going through open tender? Why?

Is the open tender system open to all or only open to a specific group of people?

Issues (14) The Penang State Government is ready to provide land for building secondary national type schools

Details:
On 1 March 2009, Penang Chief Minister YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng announced that the Penang State Government is ready to provide 4 parcels of land to the Education Ministry for building secondary national type schools.

Status:
Can the CM explain whether the 4 parcels of land belong to the Penang State Government or to private landowners, in which case, the land has to be acquired?

Can the CM announce the locations of the 4 parcels of land?

Issues (15) Cancellation of “King of Tennis” Event

Details:
On 12 November 2008, the failure to pay the appearance fee for the tennis stars caused the cancellation of the said event.

On 13 November 2008, Penang Chief Minister stated that the State Government was not directly involved with the event. YB Law Heng Kiang, Penang Tourism Development, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee Chairman also do not know about this.

On 14 November 2008, CAP criticize the organizer for destroying the Esplanade ground and its historical heritage. The construction of the event site was done before making rental payment to MPPP. MPPP also confirmed that the construction was illegal.

On 22 November 2008, the State Government directed PAC to investigate the Kings of Tennis Fiasco.

On 29 November 2008 reported the badly damage field at Esplanade was caused by the construction of the event site; restoration work had been postponed a few times, until today no restoration work had commenced.

Status:
The State Government stressed vehemently on its CAT government, but why after the cancellation of the event, all parties that should be responsible, denied their responsibility?

Why was the RM2, 000,000 deposit for the use of the Esplanade ground and rental fee of RM200, 000 not collected from the event organizer?

When will the restoration work on the badly damaged Esplanade field commenced? If the organizer is unable to restore it, what action will be taken by the State Government?

Issues (16) parking fees during weekends

Details:
Before the 308 General Elections, YB Tuan Law Heng Kiang said that if DAP forms the government, the Penang State Government will abolish the collection of all parking fees during weekends

On 29 July 2008, YB Tuan Law Heng Kiang informed that the proposed working paper for abolishing the collection of parking fees for weekend parking is still not completed yet. Therefore, the abolishment of all parking fees cannot be implemented yet.

On 25 January 2009, the Penang Municipal Council announced that the collection of parking fees for 4 tourist and nightlife locations will be extended to midnight using eliminating illegal collection of parking fees as reason.

Status:
YB Tuan Law Heng Kiang, is the working paper for the abolishment of collection of parking fees for weekend parking ready or not, please?

Why are Penangites made to bear the heavy financial burden of having to pay more (extended hours) parking fees just because the Penang State Government failed to stop the illegal collection of parking fees?

Issues (17) Planting of 1,000,000 trees in the State of Penang

Details:
YB Tuan Teh Yee Cheu, the state assemblyman for Tanjong Bunga promised to plant 1,000,000 trees in Penang.

Status:
YB Tuan Teh Yee Cheu, up to date, how many trees have already been planted in Penang through your effort? Where are those trees planted?