Penang has been voted as one of Asia’s top 10 places to live in by expatriates.
Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon said Penang was placed ninth, one spot ahead of Kuala Lumpur, in an international survey of 254 places. This marks a climb of three spots from the same survey five years ago.
The yearly survey by Employment Conditions Abroad Ltd, a human resource consultant agency, is based on weather, air quality, infrastructure, health services, housing, security and politics.
Singapore placed first, followed by Kobe, with Tokyo and Osaka tied in third spot. The other cities are Hong Kong (fifth), Macau (sixth), Taipei (seventh) and Bangkok (eighth).
The placing is admirable but I hope that the state government will strive to make Penang conducive and liveable for the locals too.
The state can still improve on its cleanliness, urban revitalisation, public security, conditions of infrastructure and amenities and housing.
I just blogged on a crime committed against my family. The police promised to visit our house but has yet to do so until now. Swift action of the police is needed not only to make the expatriates feel safe but the locals too.
4 comments:
Best thing about Penang is that you can catch a flight to S'pore and then on to the best city oin the world ,Sydney, everyday.
My responds - Really ah ?
Wait how credible is this company ?
If I were Dr Koh, I will not rejoice that fast.
Let's not deny the facts. Just ask any Penangites or anyone who has stayed in Penang for more than a year (I assume that 1 year is a fair enough time to know the state) and comment. From the discussion among friends, 7 or 8 out of 10 will tell you Penang has been on decline. They should be up there competing with the best.
Dr Koh, how long more will you continue living in the state of denial ?
Let's compare KL and Penang.
Weather = The same
Air Quality = Better than KL a bit
Infrastructure = Definitely loose out.
Health Services = KL Definitely better with more advance technology like IJN and etc. Accessibility is much more easier.
Housing = Plenty of choice in KL with wide range of prices comparing to Penang. Unless this category is comparing pricing for the same square feet.
Security = Should be the same kua... not sure about the statistic
Politics = Being ruled under the same BN. Is there any differentiator ?
So how come, Penang come in better ?
KL and Penang comparison:
Penang= got beach, KL tiada.
Most of the Penang Expat lives in Batu Ferringi, or the high-cost condominium or houses, wide price range is not their main concern.
Public infrastructure loose out, but most of the expat do not really rely on these - do they take public transport?
Penang food = best, most of the foreigner I know comment this, they simply love the food!
Health services= for minor illness/disease, Penang's few private hospitals should be able to settle those cases already. Big problem? Then fly to KL, which is only 400 km away.
IMHO, Penang stands out a better choice compared to KL is because her history and nostalgia sentiment. She is not too developed to get rid of all the heritage or cultural identity in the communities there. Yet, she is not that too rural to be depraved of all the necessities.
Mich,
You have made a point here. Expats find Penang irresistable. It is a good and cheap place for them to spend their retirement life.
I have said that the Penang should make the state liveable for Penangites too.
Issues such as urban planning, housing, cleanliness, public security and others must be improved.
It is not okay if Penang ranks high on foreigners preferred list but not on the locals.
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