Penang would have been in great depression if there had been no progress at all in the 18 years (1990 – 2008) under Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon’s leadership as claimed by some quarters.

“Just imagine the impact of 18 months of economic recession, not to mention 18 years of “no progress. Any logical person can see this!” said Gerakan Deputy President, Dato’ Chang Ko Youn.

Dato’ Chang was referring to the article by Joceline Tan in The Star on 7 August, 2011, which quoted the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce President Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping as alleging Dr Koh “for not doing anything in the past 18 years.”

“The allegation is very misleading, malicious and very unfair to Dr Koh Tsu Koon and Penangites,” said Dato’ Chang.

Dato’ Chang Ko Youn also slammed Tan Tee Beng for making a highly baseless statement by suggesting that Dr Koh Tsu Koon be removed from his current position as the party’s president as well as a minister in the Prime Minister’s department in order for Barisan Nasional to recapture Penang from opposition.

Dato’ Chang said that Tan Tee Beng is not even qualified to make such comment as he has been sacked from the party 11 years ago and later left PKR under a cloud.

“Both Tans have become too emotional and irrational. How can Dr Koh be a Chief Minister of Penang for four (4) terms or 18 years if he has not delivered the goods for Penangites? Are they suggesting that the Penang people are all so stupid? Their statements had severely undermined the intelligence and effort of Penangites which is unfair to the people,” said Dato’ Chang.

“Under the leadership of Dr Koh Tsu Koon since 1990, Penang BN had won the 1995, 1999 and 2004 general elections with good results which is the strong mandate of Penangites to Dr Koh Tsu Koon and his team.”

“We must understand that sustaining and scaling new heights is harder than starting up, so says a Chinese proverb. Over 40 years ago, Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu developed Penang from a sleepy hollow which had 17 percent unemployment into a bustling and thriving economy,” said Dato’ Chang.

“On this foundation, it was Dr Koh Tsu Koon who continued his hard work by keeping Penang in good shape. Penang’s achievement today is not a result of PR and Lim Guan Eng’s effort, but the combined effort of the Barisan Nasional government and the Penang people for the past 40 years,” said Dato’ Chang.

Dato’ Chang said, before Pakatan Rakyat government took over Penang, the state is already a fast growing state. Yet, we heard Lim Guan Eng showing off his beautiful report card, claiming even within a year of taking over, that Penang is taking lead in so many areas such as topping the list in attracting FDI, receiving compliment from the National Auditor, eradicating poverty, reducing unemployment rate, etc all because of him.

“The truth is, Penang has already been the Number One in many areas under the Barisan Nasional government led by Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu and then Dr Koh Tsu Koon.”