Danger Looming in Pakatan Penang

There is always a danger sitting too comfortably on a two-third majority. Wise leaders would have immediately taken it as a sign of high expectations and not high popularity.

Any leadership comes with a huge responsibility, and its reward too for a job well done at the end of term. However, the Pakatan Penang state government in Penang has started to show signs of burn-out and lack of ideas.

It is important for the state government to conduct its own performance audit ahead of the mid-term review of its governance in Penang. The state government should take a close serious look at these areas:

1) Socio-economic development: The Next Step

Pakatan rule is hitting the middle mark soon but we have yet to see a comprehensive strategic plan for Penang's socio-economic development. The state government had established a few committees and appointed a group of advisers but these committees/individuals have yet to achieve anything substantial. Two key areas have been earmarked as engines of growth for Penang, hightech R&D and tourism, but little is known how these areas can be further developed.

There is a limit to trade and tourism visits and participation in various overseas expos. Tourists and investors are attracted to what really the state has to offer. Where is the state heritage tourism development plan? What is the role and purpose of having two tourism offices in the state; e.g. Penang Global Tourism Sdn. Bhd. and State Tourism Exco which have created more confusion and grey areas than synergy?

Recently, the Penang CM Lim Guan Eng has earmarked another science park on the island, claiming that the present one at Seberang Perai is nothing but 'a jungle'. Is it wise to concentrate all developments on the island?

Based on critical mass and land cost, Seberang Perai offers better value for money to investors. The state government needs to catalyst the building of amenities, infrastructure and residential townships to support the industrialisation of Seberang Perai. Not neglecting it.

The newly proposed convention centre is yet another poorly thought out plan by the state government. A Pakatan assemblyman told me that there was no consultation with the assemblymen and relevant parties to gather input on the convention centre. I was told that it is a short term measure since there is already a convention centre being built at The Light, an IJM project. Perhaps to add on to the short list of achievement by the present state government. There are many more low hanging fruits e.g. cleanliness, public transport, public amenities, tourism infrastructure etc.

Blogger Anil Netto has alerted us to a Penang Island draft Local Plan, which was prepared by a consultant in KL, is now being revised by the state government to put in higher density in certain areas, in the name of providing a bigger catchment area for public transport corridors.

Higher density in certain areas in Penang, especially on the island, is a already a problem for the state. I am looking forward to read the full report. You should too.

2) Election promises

Prior to the 2008 general election, the Pakatan coalition (more of an electoral pact then), had made several promises to the voters. In the heat of its campaign, the individual parties had pledged to help reverse and correct some of Barisan excesses. In come the Kampung Buah Pala, heritage zone development and hillside construction fiascoes. The present state government found itself helpless to help address these issues.

The promise of holding local council elections may not see the light anytime soon too.

3) Plants over public space

Recently, the state secretariat has decided to fence up the compound of Dewan Sri Pinang. State Exco Chow Kon Yeow clarified that the fence in front of Dewan Sri Pinang was necessary to protect trees and flowers planted within the compound.

Funny, why plant trees and flowers and then separate them from public access? Parks in foreign countries are open to public access and recreation. The point is the state government is still holding a conservative perception of Penangites. We should be ashamed of ourselves for being treated as possible vandalists by the state government. How can we progress as a civil society with this kind of perception?

In this case, why plant the trees and flowers if the state government fears that they might be vandalised or stolen? Public space should be given priority over plants and flowers.

4) Political stability

A lack of consultation or a growing discontent of the present leadership style is going to cause trouble brewing and invite the vultures to Penang soon. Instead of hoping for positive changes and a breath of fresh air after the tumultuous period of Barisan rule and the mediocrity of Koh Tsu Koon's stewardship, we are going into troubled spell again.

A top PKR leader is strongly rumoured to soon leave the party and become a Barisan Nasional-friendly independent parliamentarian.

The PKR MP from Penang is said to have already secured assurances from a few other Pakatan Rakyat parliamentarians to follow suit. It's learnt that he is actively wooing another two or three Pakatan parliamentarians.

I can figure out the identity of this MP. It is time for this man to return to where he came from. Leopard does not change its spots that easily.

Our politics is going to go back to a square one. Partly due to lack of calibre and partly due to the arrogance and temptation of power and fame.

It is not that hard to wonder why skilled and highly qualified Malaysians are leaving for greener pastures. As a saving grace, we should try to persuade them to enter politics instead and help liberate us from the half-bakes currently running the country.