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Competency Accountability

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Transparency

April 2012: Issue 2/04

Edisi Bahasa Inggeris, Tamil dan Cina

Penangites Peaceful

Story and pix by Chan Lilian

liran President Dr Francis Loh had promised a carnival-like peaceful assembly for Penang Bersih 3.0 Duduk Bantah at a press conference held earlier. However, there were words whispered to the Chief Minister that there may be some disturbances like the one that happened on 26 February, 2012 at the 226 AntiLynas Himpunan Hijau gathering where thugs turned the peaceful gathering into a violent one. Rain fell mercilessly in the morning of 28 April, 2012. The Esplanade field was soggy from the heavy rain. In normal circumstances, Penangites will probably skip whatever event to stay at home. However, one can feel the excitement building up when people started walking to the venue chanting, Bersih! Bersih! at the same time. Much to the surprise of the organiser, people started to throng the field from as

early as 12 noon and by 1.30 pm, the peaceful gathering was in full swing. Anil Netto from Aliran said, This is surprising! Malaysians are not known to be punctual. If they come early, there must be something really important going on. By 2 pm which was the appointed time for the gathering, the whole Esplanade field was almost full. Everyone was in a joyous mood. The sense of unity and solidarity permeated in the air because everyone was wearing yellow. Another participant at the Bersih 3.0 gathering, Fabian Dicom said, I really feel that the level of corruption, injustice, marginalisation and oppression of the poor, of those who really dont have the means to be heard in our country has reached a level where none of us can tolerate. The right people have to be elected and in order to do that, we need a reformation in the elections. Bersih is one sure way we can do it, if everybody gets on board. I really hope this is the

beginning where Malaysians take responsibility for the running of our own country. By 2.30 pm, people were all seated in the open field, listening attentively to the speeches by Aliran and a few Penang State leaders. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was there with his wife, Betty Chew Gek Cheng. CM Lim gave a rousing, short speech and urged the 10,000 participants to give a loud, resounding shout of Bersih. Rain started to fall again after CM Lims speech and the crowd dispersed thereafter. However, amazingly, there was no jam. People who went to Bersih had shown exemplary civil-minded manners. They did not park their cars haphazardly like some did during concerts or countdowns. They parked their car far away and walked to the venue. And true to its Bersih theme, the field at the Esplanade was cleaned up by volunteers who collected the litter and packed it in black bags.

The peaceful gathering in Penang was in stark contrast to the mammoth gathering in Kuala Lumpur where even journalists were beaten and cameras smashed by the police. Many people questioned why Penang was able to hold a peaceful gathering with such heart-warming congregation of people from various backgrounds, races and religions. Maybe the answer lies with the satisfaction of the NGOs with the Penang State Government which promotes freedom of expression and openly welcomes peaceful assemblies at the Speakers Square. The State leaders also lent their support by attending the peaceful assembly wearing the same yellow T-shirts and sitting down on the grounds like everyone else. The police deployed their uniformed force but they stood-by at various locations to monitor the crowd who were all peaceful. Once again, Penang has led by example how her people can come together in solidarity and harmony.

Historic Wesak Open House in Penang

Pix by Law Suun Ting

FOR the first time in the history of Penang, the Buddhist community was able to hold an Open House for all Penangites to celebrate Wesak Day. The event was held a week before the actual Wesak Day on April 22, 2012 at the Dewan Sri Pinang. A huge number of Buddhist devotees and other Penangites visited the Open House to feast on the sumptious vegetarian meals served and also to get to know the Buddhist faith through the exhibitions and displays. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng who joined the Open House with members from the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) , State Assemblymembers and the Consul-General

of Thailand H.E. Voradet Viravakin. The celebration was to honour the birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha 2,556 years ago. The event was part of the program of the newly-established Non-Muslim Religious Affairs EXCO portfolio headed by CM Lim, themed Patriotism and Religious Harmony for a United Malaysia. Two weeks later, on Wesak Day which fell on 5 May 2012, CM Lim also joined the Buddhist community in the Wesak procession around George Town. Thousands of Penangites and tourists lined the streets to pay homage to Lord Buddha. Tourists were enchanted with the beautiful floats paraded in George Town. In his speech at the Malaysian Buddhist Association before the procession started, CM Lim said, In accordance with Tripitaka or Triple Gem of Buddha, Dhama (Buddhist law) and Sangha(monks), running a government must be in accordance with the principles of the rakyat, law, as well as good and clean leadership. The people deserve a people-centric government that upholds the rule of law. This is achieved through the Penang CAT governance of Competency, Accountability and Transparency, which has brought tremendous progress to the financial health of Penang.

Single mothers grateful

Story by Danny Ooi, Pix by Chan Lilian

200 single mothers received an annual aid of RM100 each from the Pakatan Penang State Government at Dewan Balora Mastika in Balik Pulau on Chin Sok Gaik April 22. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng handed over the aid to them during the function. The recipients were among the 6,740 single mothers in Penang who had received the annual aid from the Pakatan State Government. Chief Minister Lim Anjalai Ayaroo Guan Eng said this was the fourth year that the State Government had carried out this programme. We give RM100 annual aid to senior citizens, single mothers and the disabled, a one-off payment of RM200 for children born in Penang from Cikgu Asnah Hashim, the Pegawai Penyelaras of Bayan Lepas handing over a cheque to a widow while Che Rah Ibrahim January 2011 and a CM Lim Guan Eng, Assemblymember Sim Tze Tzin and the widows son look on. one-off payment of RM1,000 to beneficiaries of deceased senior citizens. kind of Pakatan State Government to look We also give a one-off payment of RM1,000 to stu- into the plight of single mothers, who dents continuing their studies at local and public have to raise their families by themselves. universities, he added. The self - employed mother of three CM Lim said the number of single mothers reg- children said that even though the RM100 istering for the annual aid is increasing which shows is not a big amount, it is the thought of their support for the programme. He added that as the State Government in power that of March 2012, a total of 7, 079 single mothers touches our hearts. had registered. We have not received anything like One recipient, a single mother, Chin Sok Gaik, this before, said Che Rah. 53, from Desa Penaga in Prai said this is the secOn another matter, CM Lim said the ond year that she had received the RM100 given Pakatan State Government had approved by the Pakatan State Government. the building of two community halls to Last year I collected it at Genting near Balik benefit the public in the Balik Pulau Pulau, said the mother of two boys, who earns area. about RM900 monthly by ironing clothes for a This shows that the State Government company in George Town. is fair to the people regardless of their I am very grateful to the State Government and political leanings. Balik Pulau constituCM Lim for helping single mothers like myself, ency is under the Opposition, he said. said Chin, adding that she hoped CM Lim will stay CM Lim went on to say that the State in power forever. Government planned to set up pioneer Another single mother, Anjalai Ayaroo, 57, from CAT dialysis centres in Prai and Balik Jalan Bukit Penara in Balik Pulau said she was Pulau which would offer patients a subsivery happy to receive the aid for the first time. dised fee of RM30 for each dialysis treatA mother of three boys, she works as a ment. cleaner at a school in Balik Pulau and earns These dialysis centres are a necessity RM600 a month. because of the cost of treatment in GovAnother recipient, Che Rah Ibrahim, 57, from ernment and private dialysis centres, he A grateful single mother giving Cikgu Asnah Kampung Masjid in Teluk Kumbar said : It is very added. Hashim a hug at the ceremony.

Protest over Hindu shrine demolition

Story by Danny Ooi Pix by Law Suun Ting

15 representatives of the workers and users of Butterworth Cargo Terminal (BCT) in Prai visited Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on April 29 at Komtar to voice their anger and frustration over the demolition of a Hindu shrine at Butterworth Cargo Terminal on April 20. The group was led by its leader and spokesman, M. Govindasamy. He presented a protest note which carried 155 signatures of Indian workers and users of BCT to CM Lim. Govindasamy said Indian workers were infuriated by Penang Port Sdn Bhds (PPSBs) action of demolishing the Hindu shrine without any prior consultation. Penang Port Sdn Bhds management said the shrine was demolished because it was situated near the pipe line which was constructed in 1998. This shrine had been in existence for over 50 years, he stressed. We hope PPSBs management will find an alternative place to re-build the shrine. We need a place of worship to protect us from any untoward incidents,

CM Lim Guan Eng (seven from right), Deputy Chief Minister (II) Prof. Dr P. Ramasamy (eight from right) and State Works, Utility and Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng (fifth from right), joining Hindu workers from Butterworth Cargo Terminal in showing their grievances over the demolition of the Hindu shrine.

PPSB & PPC asked to apologise to the Hindu community

PENANG Chief Minister YAB Lim Guan Eng said on April 23 that Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) and Penang Port Commission (PPC) should apologise to the Hindu community in Penang for the disrespect and religious sacrilege in the demolition of the 50 year-old Hindu shrine in their compound without notice, and full compensation should be made by giving land and funds for its re-building. CM Lim Guan Eng said both PPC chairman Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek and PPSB chairman Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Haji Yahya should immediately explain to the port workers and the Hindu community on why they permitted this uncivilised act. Worse still, no notice was given to the workers of the impending demolition. When the State Government wants to carry out any demolition, we will put up a notice prior to the execution, he told reporters during his visit to the site of the shrine located at Prai Bulk Cargo Terminal (BCT). Present were Penang Deputy Chief Minister (II) Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, State Works, Utility and Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock

Govindasamy said. The protest note addressed to PPSBs executive

chairman Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahya was handed to the companys management on May 2, 2012.

Seng, Seberang Perai Municipal Councillor Visvanathan Kumaran and Prai Bulk Cargo Terminal General Manager, Abdul Halim Abdul Kader. The 50 year-old shrine used by Penang Port workers and located within the property of PPSB was demolised on Friday, April 20. CM Lim said the Penang Government is shocked at such demolition and strongly considers this act

as a grave injury to the freedom of religion and insult to the Hindu community. It also showed that the bad old days of demolition of Hindu shrines by the Barisan Government are back again, he added. The daily quoted PPSBs chairman Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahya as having said the Muniswarar shrine would be rebuilt on an area of 6.1m x 6.1m. Dr Hilmi also said if the site was found to be unsuitable, another site within the same area will be identified for the shrine. Abdul Halim said the local daily had misquoted the news on the shrine : There was no such promise. He also said that he was unaware that PPSB management had agreed to bear the cost of rebuilding the demolished 50-year-old Hindu shrine near the Prai Bulk Cargo Terminal (BCT) in the Prai Industrial Area. CM Lim urged the Penang Port workers present to organise a campaign and get 1500 signatures to air their grievances and dissatisfaction over the demolition of the shrine.

Land worth RM36.5 Million for Syariah Court

PENANG Pakatan Rakyat takes pride lower Syariah Court, one Appeal Court in its policies of ensuring all communi- and other amenities like a cafeteria, a ties have their freedom of religious police station, a library etc. practices and the State contributes toThe ground-breaking ceremony on wards this aim. All the major faiths the plot of land at Jalan Scotland/Jalan receive financial contributions and Batu Gantung was held on 8 April, other forms of support. Penang Syariah 2012. Mosques, Chinese temples, Hindu Chief Judge Datuk Yusof Musa who temples, Gudwaras and Churches have was at the ceremony lauded the generbecome the beneficiaries of PRs gener- ousity of Penang State Government in ous support. The State also has app- allocating the prime land for the propointed two Executive Committee ject. Members to deal with these portfolios. With a court complex like this The Islamic Affairs Exco is helmed by which has the proper amenities, a lot Abdul Malik Kassim of problems can be solved. while Chief Minister Lim I hope the management of Guan Eng holds the portcourt matters will become folio of Chairman of the exemplary model for Non-Muslim Affairs other states to follow. Committee. Datuk Yusof was Penangs Recently, the Muslim first recipient of the State community greatly welintergrity award of comed the Penang State RM10,000 given to civil Governments allocation servants. He exposed the of a piece of land measurcorruption of a Penang ing 3.5 acres valued at Penang Syariah Syariah Court employee RM36.5 million to build Chief Judge Datuk Yusof involving RM500,000 in the Penang Syariah Court. Musa. 2009. The seven-storey building Meanwhile, Chief Minwill have four Syariah High Courts, one ister Lim Guan Eng said the TYT

CM Lim looking at the plans for the Syariah Court Complex during the groundbreaking ceremony.

Governor of Penang had been instrumental in this court project as the TYT had pursued the matter with Penang Deputy Chief Minister I, Dato Mansor Othman and Exco Member Abdul Malik Kassim. The court building esti-

mated to cost around RM36.5 million will be built by Public Works Department. The RM73-million Syariah Court Complex will be ready in October, 2014.

Penang Badminton Academy

PENANG has produced many great names in badminton. From the legendary Dato Eddy Choong to Dato Lee Chong Wei, they have put Penang and Malaysia on the world map as world champions. So, it is befitting that Penang has its own badminton academy to nurture and produce even more badminton champions in future. ECM Libra has come forward to realise this vision by contributing towards a badminton academy and a learning centre to promote education and master languages especially amongst the young. On 24 April, 2012 ECM Libra Foundation and its three partners Lim Kian Onn, Dato Seri Kalimullah Hassan and Dato David Chua Ming Huat held a press conference to announce the RM4 million Penang Learning Centre (PLC) and Penang Badminton Academy (PBA) project which will take 18 months to complete. It will comprise of a library, 7 classrooms

ECM Libra Foundation partner, Dato Seri Kalimullah Hassan.

Artists impression of Penang Badminton Academy .

for tuition and language classes, 6 8 badminton courts and a canteen. Amongst the languages focused on will be foreign languages apart from Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin

and Tamil. The 2.9 acres of state owned land is located near Kampung Buah Pala in Sri Delima and Bukit Glugor. The built up area of the Penang Learning Centre and

Penang Badminton Academy will occupy 1 acre. Upon completion, the 2 buildings will be handed back to the State Government, which will then manage the 2 buildings. This will help Penang to attain its aspirations of becoming an international and intelligent city that is clean, green, safe and healthy.The State also hopes that the Badminton Academy will create more world badminton champions from Penang in years to come.

World Press Freedom Day

GENERALLY, one needs certain traits to be a journal- ribbon, to commemorate World Press Freedom Day. ist. Vocal, opinionated, articulate, brave, fair are It was also to stand in solidarity with the reporters amongst some of them. Over here in Penang, World and photographers who had been beaten or had their Press Freedom Day is celebrated by the local journal- cameras taken away or smashed. ists in various ways. Media workers and reporters became victims of They have a freeze mob at shopping malls to police brutality during the peaceful Bersih 3.0 rally create awareness. A freeze mob is when a group in Kuala Lumpur on 28 April, 2012. CM Lim said, of journalists and their friends who momentarily We strongly condemn the violence that took place freeze themselves in various poses while holding last Saturday at the Bersih 3.0 rally where many banners and placards to express things related to protesters, including media workers and reporters, press freedom. They also hold fun rides where they were indiscriminately attacked and injured by police cycle around wet markets and distribute yellow officers. ribbons. The same sentiments were expressed by ten orOn May 3, 2012 which was World Press Freedom ganisations including Pewaju (Penang Chinese Media Day, Penang journalists converged at the Penang State Journalists and Photographers Association), Penang Assembly building and covered the proceedings. Press Club, Journalists Union Of North Malaya, PenThey wanted to express their feelings and thoughts ang Press Employees Cooperative Society Ltd., Sewhile providing suggestions to the politicians with berang Perai Press Association, Suaram Penang, whom they work with very closely on a daily basis. Sembang-sembang Forum, Coalitions of Good GovPenang Pakatan Rakyat leaders were amused but ernance Penang, Persatuan Bahasa Tionghua USM enlightened to receive truthful and sometimes, dis- and Student Progressive Front USM. concerting messages from the journalists through In their statement, they reminded, The tax-payers yellow slips of paper. pay for the state-owned media, so the media should Penang journalists did belong to the people, and not hold back their opinNOT belong to the ruling ions and bravely urged party as a propaganda mapoliticians to be puncchinery. State-owned metual for events, not to dia have been misused by discriminate them, not BN, and are lopsided in to hold too many press news reporting. We urge the conferences in a day and government to let all the a few brave ones even political parties use the taught the politicians state-owned media fairly in how to do their work order to ensure a fair elecmore effectively. tion. Although some people Further, they said, Allaughed at the messages though the federal governleft by the journalists, Exco Members Lim Hock Seng, Chow Kon Yeow, ment promises to give more the PR leaders took them Assembly Member Koid Teng Guan, Exco Member press freedom, in the protest seriously to improve Law Choo Kiang looking at Penang Deputy Chief on April 28, at least 13 jourthemselves. They were Minister I, Dato Mansor Othman pinning a message nalists from Malaysia and actually a display of to support Penang journalists. overseas, and an unknown competency, transparnumber of people from the ency and accountability in true Penang CAT spirit. public were treated violently by police. They were PR leaders openly accepted the constructive criticisms asked to delete the photos taken, memory cards were from the journalists and listened to them. confiscated and cameras were snatched. The World Press Freedom Day was marked with The ten media related organisations concluded, poignant reminders that there is a lack of press free- These actions shown by police raised the question dom here in Malaysia. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng whether the police were helping the ruling party to called for Malaysians to wear black with a yellow block the access of information, and to cover up their

Exco Member Wong Hon Wai (far right) laughing heartily when he was told that Penang journalists complained that he wasnt punctual at events through the message written on the wall. Two Chinese media reporters joined in the banter.

violent acts. This created a fear among the protestors, which stopped them from taking photos, to avoid becoming the next victims.

Sun photographer Masry Che Ani having a lighter moment with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng at a press conference. Photo taken by Star photographer Tengkuwan.

Penang journalists wearing black with yellow ribbons in a group photo at the Penang State Assembly

A flourishing property market in Penang

PENANG Pakatan Rakyat State Government has proposed to raise the capital for foreign purchases on all properties in the State. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the current limit of RM500,000 would be raised to RM1 million, except for landed properties on the island which would be raised to RM2 million. CM Lim added that the purchase of housing under the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) at the controlled price of minimum RM500,000 is only for two units, while acquisition of property by foreigners with permanent resident status is fixed at RM250,000. This is to give locals pirority to purchase cheaper properties, and to stop speculation, he told newsmen in conjunction with the Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (REHDA) groups visit to his office at Komtar recently. The group comprised of its chairman Datuk Jerry Chan, deputy chairman Toh Chin Leong, secretary Teh Kiak Seng and other committee members. CM Lim said the State hopes to implement the new ruling by July 2012, adding that the State was the first to come out with this proposal. The new ruling was decided by the State Government under its National Land Code. Datuk Jerry Chan said the aim of the new ruling is to protect locals and to give them the ability to buy properties. We are working together with the State Govern-

Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (Rehda)s chairman Datuk Jerry Chan (third from left) greeting CM Lim Guan Eng (fourth from left) at the Press Conference in Komtar.

Penang Honours Achievement of Engineers

IN appreciation of the conferment of the IEM Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award 2012 to M.E.I. Project Engineers Sdn Bhd, Penang Pakatan State Government presented an Appreciation Certificate and RM1,000 when a group from the company visited CM Lim Guan Eng at Komtar. The group comprised of its managing director Ir. Lim Kok Khong, executive director Ir. Dr Goh Teik Cheong, senior principals Ir. Adrian Tung Kin Choong, Ir. Wong Tian Seng and four other members. Ir. Lim Kok Khong received the State Governments award from CM Lim Guan Eng. CM Lim said Penang wants to be a leader in solar energy. It is a sunrise industry and we love to be associated with the players in this field, CM Lim added. With its own awards, the State Government plans to encourage outstanding achievers to come to Penang. M.E.I. Project Engineers Sdn Bhd received the IEM Outstanding Engi-

ment in this matter for the interest of the people of Penang, Datuk Chan added. He went on to say that the number of land strata sold to foreigners in the State had risen from 774 in 2010 to 890 in 2011. This showed an increase of around 15%. While the number of strata sold had increased, the number of transition had decreased from 3.0 % to around 2.26% during the same period.

Datuk Chan predicted that the property market in Penang will continue to flourish during the next four years, with investors topping up their businesses amidst the growing economy of the State. In view of this, there is a shortage of houses at the moment considering the estimated population in Penang to reach the 2 million mark by 2020, he added. Datuk Chan said that only about 12,000 units of houses are being built yearly.

CM Lim (seven from left) presenting the State Governments appreciation certificate to M.E.I Project Engineers Sdn Bhds managing director Ir. Lim Kok Khong (eight from left). Joining them were the companys staff.

neering Achievement Award 2012 for the design and completion of the 127- acre AOU SunPower Solar Cell Manufacturing Plant at Melaka Solar Valley, Alor Gajah in Malacca. Ir. Lim said in line with the nations aspiration and emphasis of development in the area of renewable energy, the AOU SunPower Solar Cell Manufacturing Plant proved to be an important milestone and a pioneer in the large scale mono-crystalline silicon-based solar cell manufacturing facility in the country.

We have come a long way since 1988 with a positive track record of well - engineered and well - managed projects coupled with teams of dedicated and resilient professionals in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, India and the Peoples Republic of China, he added. He said being an ISO 9001 certified company, M.E.I. is reputable for quality work in turnkey design, engineering, procurement management and construction management

services in industrial plants with an emphasis on renewable energy, life science, food processing, pharmaceutical, chemical, micro-electronics and biotechnology projects. M.E.I. has succeeded in completing and handing over the AOU SunPower Solar Plant to its client, meeting its first cell-out completion date. The integrated feasibility study, site development, planning, conceptual design and detail design started in July 2008. Solar cell manufacturing in AOU SunPower Solar Plant commenced production with its industry-leading 22 percent minimum rated Gen 2 solar cell, after the official launching by Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak on 15th December 2010. With a team of hardworking and exceptionally dedicated staff, M.E.I. single-handedly executed the engineering, procurement, construction management services for the USD 700 million investment in Malacca, Ir. Lim said.

Penang - most liveable city in Malaysia

ONCE again, Penang has received accolades from international bodies. The steady flow of recognitions proves that it is not a fluke but the State had improved since the State Administration changed in March 2008. Penang is getting better and better each year since 2008. The most recent achievement that Penangites can be proud of is Penang being ranked as the most liveable city in Malaysia. Penang has held on to this ranking for two consecutive years. The rating is done by a global consulting firm ECA International. ECAs Location Ratings research is carried out on an annual basis and objectively evaluates various factors in order to arrive at a fair and consistent assessment of the quality of living in over 400 locations worldwide. Categories include climate, health services, isolation, social network and leisure facilities, infrastructure and political tensions. The scores take into account the home and destination country, therefore rankings will vary according to the base u s e d t o com par e t he quality of living. In a press conference at Komtar, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng pointed out that Penang has

overtaken the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur as the most liveable city. He said it is no mean feat to beat the capital city but Penang has done it. He said, If we only beat them once, people may say its a fluke, but we have repeated the feat this year. This year we are ahead of KL. This is a testament of Penangs achievement under the Pakatan Rakyat State Government. Source : ECA rankings taken from http://www.eca-international.com/ news/press_releases/7650/#. T6QLL58tjB4

BULETIN MUTIARA
Level 47, Komtar 10503 Penang Phone : 04-650 5468 Fax : 04-261 5923 Email : suaracat@gmail.com

EDITORIAL
Editor-in-Chief: Yap Lee Ying Editor (English) Albert Benedict Manikam Assistant Editors : Tam Poh Guek (Chinese) D. Bhavaneswari & N. Senthil Kumar (Tamil) Chan Lilian (English) Writer (English) : Danny Ooi Photographers : Chan Lilian, Law Suun Ting, Mohd. Hafiz Tajudin and Alisssala Thian Graphic Designers : Loo Mei Fern, Idzham Bin Ahmad

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Indian New Year Festival 2012 at Little India

Story by Danny Ooi

THE Indian New Year Festival 2012, held on May 1 at Jalan Penang was a special event for the Indian community in Penang. This was the first time that the New Year Festival was held in Penang. It was held at the Little India enclave, to celebrate the festivity of the multi ethnic groups of the local Indian community. Jointly organised by Padang Kota / Tanjong Parliament consituencies and Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Penang, the function attracted hundreds of local visitors and tourists. It was officiated by Padang Kota YB Chow Kon Yeow and graced by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and the Penang president of the Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr N. Vasantharan. Also present were Komtars ADUN Ng Wei Aik. In his opening speech, YB Chow said that it was the first time that the Indian New Year Festival was held in Penang. It gives the State Government the opportunity to show its admiration of the Indian community and to work with them in Penang, he added. CM Lim lighting the Kuthuvali at the Indian New Year Festival 2012 Celebrations in Little India. YB Chow went on to thank N. Vasantharan and his team for working together with the State Government in solving issues brought up by traders in Little India and the Indian community in Penang. CM Lim said the festival in Penang which started this year will continue for many more years to come. The Penang Pakatan Rakyat Government seems to be the first to take the initiative to give out funds and land for the building of Tamil schools, he added. Yearly, we give allocations to Tamil schools here. It started off with RM1.5 million in 2009. From 2010 onwards the amount has been raised to RM1.75 million, he said. The Indian New Year Festival 2012 function started with an opening dance performed by a multi ethnic group. It was followed by an Indian Village dance, Hindi dance, Malayalam dance, Telegu dance and also a Tamil dance. Songs were presented by various ethnic groups.

10
Nama ADUN AIR PUTIH YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng limguaneng@penang.gov.my PENANTI YB Dato Mansor Othman mansor@penang.gov.my PERAI YB Prof. Dr. P. Ramasamy a/l Palanisamy ramasamy@penang.gov.my PADANG KOTA YB Chow Kon Yeow chowkonyeow@penang.gov.my BATU MAUNG YB Abdul Malik Abul Kassim abdmalik@penang.gov.my BAGAN JERMAL YB Lim Hock Seng limhockseng@penang.gov.my BATU LANCHANG YB Law Heng Kiang lawhengkiang@penang.gov.my SUNGAI PUYU YB Phee Boon Poh pheeboonpoh@penang.gov.my; pheeboonpoh@yahoo.com BUKIT TAMBUN YB Law Choo Kiang lawchookiang@penang.gov.my AIR ITAM YB Wong Hon Wai wonghonwai@penang.gov.my BERAPIT YB Ong Kok Fooi ongkokfooi@penang.gov.my DATO KERAMAT YB Jagdeep Singh DEO jagdeepsinghdeo@penang.gov.my PANTAI JEREJAK YB Sim Tze Tzin simtzetzin@penang.gov.my MACHANG BUBOK YB Dato Tan Hock Leong hltan@penang.gov.my TANJONG BUNGAH YB Teh Yee Cheu dappenang.cagw.teh@gmail.com JAWI YB Tan Beng Huat tanbenghuat2000@yahoo.com PENGKALAN KOTA YB Keng Ee dappengkalankota@gmail.com BAGAN DALAM YB Tanaseharan a/l Autheraphy atana@first.net.my KEBUN BUNGA YB Ong Khan Lee jason_okl@yahoo.com SUNGAI BAKAP YB Hj. Maktar Hj. Shapee adunan.dunsgbakap@yahoo.com KOMTAR YB Ng Wei Aik ngweiaik@penang.gov.my; nweiaik@ gmail.com PADANG LALANG YB Tan Cheong Heng michael@dappenang.com.my PAYA TERUBONG YB Yeoh Soo Hin clementyeoh@hotmail.com PULAU TIKUS YB Koay Teng Hai koaytenghai@gmail.com PERMATANG PASIR YB Dato Hj. Salleh Man adunptgpasir@gmail.com BUKIT TENGAH YB Ong Chin Wen pkrbkttengah@gmail.com SUNGAI PINANG YB Koid Teng Guan tgkoid@gmail.com BATU UBAN YB Raveentharan a/l Subramaniam raveenkeadilan@gmail.com SERI DELIMA YB Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer a/l Rajaji rsnrayer@gmail.com DAP PENANG HQ dappg@streamyx.com No Tel/ No Faks (T) 04 - 829 0614 (T) 04 - 522 1463 (F) 04 - 522 1463 (T) 04 - 650 5134 (F) 04 - 261 8715 (T) 04 - 226 0218 (F) 04 - 228 8514 (T) 04 - 626 1968 (F) 04 - 626 5496 (T) 04 - 331 7175 (F) 04 - 331 7175 (T) 04 - 282 6419 (F) 04 - 282 6419 (T) 04 - 262 0860 012 - 480 5495 (F) 04 - 261 8745 (T) 04 - 588 0818 (F) 04 - 588 0885 (T) 04 - 828 0926 (F) 04 - 828 0926 (T) 04 - 530 8476 (T) 04 - 226 2464 (F) 04 - 227 2464 (T) 019 - 443 2088 (F) 04 - 641 3088 (T) 04 - 552 1366 (F) 04 - 552 1366 (T) 017 - 472 9990 (F) 04 - 228 8514 (T)04 - 598 1877 (F)04 - 598 1877 (T)04 - 250 1521 04 - 2501522 (F)04 - 2501523 (T) 04 - 538 1162 (F) 04 - 537 1163 (T) 04 - 818 2008 (F) 04 - 818 2008 (T) 04 - 582 7549 (F) 04 - 582 8648 (T) 04 - 227 0215 (F) 04 - 227 8215 (T) 04 - 502 5071 (F)04 - 508 9711 (T) 04 - 229 2105 (F) 04 - 226 2550 (T) 04 - 226 3227 (F) 04 - 226 3227 (T) 04 - 398 4226 (F) 04 - 398 4226 (T) 04 - 508 3977 (F) 04 - 508 3677 (T)010 - 464 3308 (F) 04 - 282 8322 (T) 04 - 659 6007 (F) 04 - 658 6007 04 - 2628188 (T) 04 - 659 5611 (F) 04 - 659 5611 (T) 04 - 228 8482 04 - 227 1397 04 - 227 7068 (F) 04 - 228 8514 NAMA ADUN PENAGA YB Dato Haji Azhar Ibrahim BERTAM YB Hajah Zabariah Wahab PINANG TUNGGAL YB Dato Haji Roslan Saidin PERMATANG BERANGAN YB Haji Shabudin Yahya SUNGAI DUA YB Dato Haji Jasmin Mohamed TELOK AIR TAWAR YB Dato Hjh. Jahara Hamid jahara.hamid@gmail.com SEBERANG JAYA YB Datuk Arif Shah Haji Omar Shah arif@arifshah.com SUNGAI ACHEH YB Dato Mahmud Zakaria datomahmud@umpangroup.com.my BAYAN LEPAS YB Syed Amerruddin Dato Syed Ahmad PULAU BETONG YB Sr. Haji Muhamad Farid Saad TELUK BAHANG YB Dato Seri Dr. Haji Hilmi Hj Yahya (T) 04 - 866 1760 (F) 04 - 866 1821 (T) 04 - 573 4630 (F) 04 -570 1997 (T) 04 - 575 7454 (T) 04 - 351 3675 (F) 04 - 351 4389 (T) 04 - 398 0185 No Tel/ No Faks (T) 04 - 310 3100 (F) 04 - 323 8017 (T) 04 - 575 8670 PEGAWAI PENYELARAS KADUN PENAGA Hj Rosidi Bin Hussain albertami@yahoo.com 019-4704 800 BERTAM Asrol Sani Bin Abdul Razak asrolsani2006@gmail.com PINANG TUNGGAL Muhasdey Muhamad hadiputra78@yahoo.com PERMATANG BERANGAN Arshad Bin Md Salleh arshad.salleh@yahoo.com SUNGAI DUA Mohd. Fahmi Abd. Wahab krisoft.engineer@yahoo.com TELOK AIR TAWAR Salehin Mohamed pjd_403@ymail.com SEBERANG JAYA Abdul Jalil Che Ros abjteguh@gmail.com SUNGAI ACHEH Hj Mohd Kamil Bin Abu Bakar hjwanday@yahoo.com BAYAN LEPAS Asnah Binti Hashim asnah_45@streamyx.com PULAU BETONG Hj Mohd Tuah Bin Ismail tuahismail@yahoo.com TELUK BAHANG Halil Sabri Hamid halilsabri.hamid@gmail.com No Tel/ No Faks (T) 04 - 575 6577 04 - 575 8578 (F) 04 - 575 8578 (T) 013 - 580 6981 (T) 019-437 2887 (T) 019 - 510 2633 (T) 04 - 575 1085 (F) 04 - 575 1085 (T) 017- 427 1581 (T) 04 - 390 5109 013 - 489 3227 (T) 012 - 4735774 (T) 019 - 472 6956 (T) 019 - 570 9500 (T) 016-400 6462

(T) 04 - 593 3100 (F) 04 - 593 9529

Talian Kecemasan & Perkhidmatan Awam

POLIS & AMBULANS BOMBA DIREKTORI TELEFON OPERATOR ANTARABANGSA PENYELAMAT BIRO PENGADUAN AWAM SEKRETARIAT KERAJAAN NEGERI KASTAM IMIGRESEN INFORMASI PENERANGAN WWC EPF SOCSO 999 994 103 101 991 04-263 6893 04-262 1957 04-262 2300 04-250 3419 04-643 0373 04-228 0342 04-397 1058 04-226 1000 04-238 9888 JPJ JABATAN PENDAFTARAN 04-658 1122 04-398 8809 04-226 5161

PUSAT INFO PELANCONG 04-261 4461 KERETAPI BUKIT BENDERA 04-828 8880 FERI (GEORGETOWN) 04-210 2363 ( BUTTERWORTH) 04-310 2377 JAMBATAN PP 04-398 7419 STESEN KERETAPI BUTTERWORTH 04-261 0290 PERSATUAN PERUNDUNGAN KANAK-KANAK CAP JABATAN BURUH PERPUSTAKAAN PP 04-829 4046 04-829 9511 04-262 5536 04-229 8555

PROGRAM PENGHARGAAN WARGA EMAS/OKU/IBU TUNGGAL/ PROGRAM ANAK EMAS/ PROGRAM RAKAN ANTI KEMISKINAN
N1 Penaga N2 Bertam N3 Pinang Tunggal N4 Permatang : 019 - 510 2633 - Arshad Berangan Md. Salleh N5 Sungai Dua : 019 - 477 6740 - Md. Fahmi Abd. Wahab N6 Telok Air : 017 - 427 1581 - Salehin Tawar Mohamed N7 Sungai Puyu : 012 - 528 8411 - Ng Ya Ling N8 Bagan : 013 - 449 0366 - YeapChoon Jermal Keong N9 Bagan Dalam : 016 - 473 1963 - Gesan N10 Seberang : 013 - 489 3227 - Abdul Jalil Jaya Che Ros N11 Permatang : 019 - 412 8442 - Kamal Pasir N12 Penanti : 04 - 522 1463 - Suhaimi Bin Mansor N13 Berapit : 019 - 481 7823 - Ong Kee Seong N14 Machang : 019 - 546 3257 - Rynu Bubuk N15 Padang : 04 - 502 5071 - Ooi Zhen Lalang Chee N16 Perai : 012 - 339 3479 - Pn. Rajaletchumi N17 Bukit Tengah : 016 - 469 5343 - Amizuddin N18 Bukit Tambun: 016 - 442 0820 - Ong Eu Leong N19 Jawi : 017 - 408 4784 - Abdul Halim Yunus N20 Sungai : 012 - 415 2905 - Munir Bin Bakap Makhtar N21 Sungai : 012 - 473 5774 - Hj M. Kamil Acheh A.Bakar : 019 - 470 4800 - Rosidi Hussain : 012 - 490 6546 - Abd Rashid : 019 - 437 2887 - Muhasdey N22 Tanjong Bungah N23 Air Putih : 012 - 232 6101 - Carol : 04 - 829 0614 - Chiam Heng Hock - Nancy Lim

N24 Kebun : 04 - 829 3691 Bunga N25 Pulau Tikus : 012 - 488 3227 - Joe N26 Padang Kota : 012 - 431 7015 - Johnny Chee N27 Pengkalan : 012 - 437 1522 - Wang Lai Kin Kota N28 KOMTAR : 012 - 412 6284 - Adreena N29 Datok : 012 - 410 6566 - A. T. Ong Keramat N30 Sungai : 010 - 464 3308 - Anna Pinang N31 Batu : 012 - 411 2152 - Ooi Geoik Lancang Hooi N32 Seri Delima : 012 - 486 2552 - Mr. Lingam N33 Air Itam : 012 - 493 3648 - Teh Choong Kong N34 Paya : 012 - 484 1963 - Toon Hoon Terubong Lee N35 Batu Uban : 012 - 409 7507 - A.Francis Xavier 010 - 562 2004 - M. Sri Jaimuralydasan N36 Pantai : 019 - 443 2088 - Victor Jerejak N37 Batu Maung : 013 - 510 1968 - Latifah N38 Bayan Lepas : 019 - 472 6956 - Asnah Bt Hashim N39 Pulau : 019 - 570 9500 - Hj Md Tuah Betong Ismail N40 Telok : 016 - 400 6462 - Halil Sabri Bahang

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SENARAI NAMA AHLI MAJLIS MPSP 2011 (1 JAN. 2012 - 31 DIS. 2012)
Nama En. Sim Chee Keong (DAP) stevensim@mpsp.gov.my En. Teoh Seang Hooi (DAP) shteow@mpsp.gov.my En. Soon Lip Chee (DAP) lcsoon@mpsp.gov.my En. Visvanathan a/l Kumaran (DAP) visvanathan@mpsp.gov.my Cik Tan Xin Ying (DAP) En. Mohd Shaipol Bin Ismail (DAP) En. Guanalan a/l Sengalaney (DAP) En. Chandrasekeran a/l S. Maniam (DAP) chanderasekeran@mpsp. gov.my En. Mohamad Zainudin bin Othman (PKR) mohamadzainudin@mpsp. gov.my En. Ahmad Farid bin Md. Arshad (PKR) ahmadfarid@mpsp.gov.my En. Johari bin Kassim (PKR) johari@mpsp.gov.my Abdul Latif bin Abdullah (PKR) abdul_latif@mpsp.gov.my En. Bahktiar Appanai bin Yahya (PKR) bahktiarappandi@mpsp. gov.my En. Lim Eng Nam (PKR) peterlim@mpsp.gov.my Puan Kusala Kumari @ Rynu a/p A. Shanmugam (PKR) kusala@mpsp.gov.my En. Amir bin Md. Ghazali (PKR) amir@mpsp.gov.my En. Ahmad Kaswan bin Kassim (PAS) ahmadkaswan@mpsp.gov. my En. Lim Tau Hoong (NGO) thlim@mpsp.gov.my Dr. Tiun Ling Ta (NGO) lttiun@mpsp.gov.my En. Ahmad Tarmizi Bin Abdullah (NGO) En. Loh Joo Huat (DAP) jhloh@mpsp.gov.my En. Ong Koon Liak (DAP) klong@mpsp.gov.my Puan Sarina binti Hashim (PKR) sarina@mpsp.gov.my En. Md Jamil Bin Abd Rahman PAS) mdjamil@mpsp.gov.my Telefon 012-590 75 07 019-412 99 96 04-594 1231 012-4290 163 012-477 6468 04-398 3242 (Tel) 04-502 1667 (Fax) 016 - 553 1987

SENARAI NAMA AHLI MAJLIS MPPP 2011 (1 JAN. 2012 - 31 DIS. 2012)
Nama Zulkifli bin Mohd. Noor (DAP) Harvindar a/l Darshan Singh (DAP) Tay Leong Seng (DAP) Lim Siew Khim (DAP) Lim Cheng Hoe (DAP) Tan Hun Wooi (DAP) En. Ong Ah Teong (DAP) Ooi Keat Hin (PKR) Francis a/l Joseph (PKR) Cik Ramlah Bee Binti Asiahoo (PKR) En. Mohamed Yusoff Bin Mohamed Noor (PAS) Encik Iszuree Bin Ibrahim (PAS) Sr. Mohd. Zahry bin Shaikh Abdul Rahim (NGO) Telefon 012 - 483 0878 012 - 42822 50 019 - 321 9392 016 - 531 6026 016 - 438 4809 012 - 488 0409 012 - 410 6566 016 - 417 1331 012 - 474 3321 016 - 422 2142 04 - 657 7464 (Tel) 012 - 472 8114 016 - 443 3205 012 - 472 6725 016 - 445 9808 016 - 457 1271 012 - 412 2558

Kalendar Pelancongan Pulau Pinang April 2012

21hb - 22hb Apr PENANG INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL MART 2012 Penang International Sports Arena

13hb May WALK FOR SIGHT & SOUND 2012 Youth Park

012 - 571 2250

013 - 485 3128

012-5619870

013-45 47 009

Encik Teh Lai Heng (DAP) Encik Gooi Seong Kin (DAP)

019-540 9396 04-3979796 (Fax) 019-449 1450 019-560 57 55

Encik Prem Anand a/l Loganathan (DAP) Encik Tan Seng Keat (PKR) Tuan Haji Mohd Rashid Bin Hasnon (PKR) Muhammad Sabri Bin Md Osman (PKR) Mohd Taufik Bin sulong (PKR)

012 - 438 6191 019 - 456 0077

017-568 3778 04-977 3982

013 - 432 0207

012 - 438 0873 012 - 463 5959 012 - 422 1880 016 - 422 2255 016 - 470 7089

016-411 44 00 04-588 0818 (Tel) 04-588 0885 (Fax) 019-54 63 257

Tahir Jalaluddin Bin Hussain (NGO) Dr. Lim Mah Hui (NGO) Encik Sin Kok Siang (NGO) Ng Chek Siang (PKR) perisaihebat@gmail.com

013-584 8386 04 - 521 1987 (Fax) 019- 408 4899

SIDANG REDAKSI BULETIN MUTIARA

Penulis: YAP LEE YING AINUL WARDAH SOHILLI ZULIANA AZIZ ZAINULFAQAR YAACOB NORSHAHIDA YUSOFF Jurugambar/Juruvideo: CHAN LILIAN LAW SUUN TING ALISSALA THIAN MOHD. HAFIZ TAJUDIN Jurugrafik: LOO MEI FERN IDZHAM AHMAD

Jenis Iklan
Satu Muka Surat Separuh Muka Surat (melintang) Separuh Muka Surat (menegak)

Saiz
25sm(w) x 32sm(h) 25sm(w) x 16m(h)

Kos (sebulan,RM)
15,000 (*) 7,500 (*)

019-446 35 51

013-430 2096 04-508 0039 (Tel) 04-657 0918 (Fax) 013 - 414 4822

12.5sm(w) x 32m(h)

7,500 (*)

Buletin Mutiara boleh diperoleh di :

- Pejabat-pejabat ADUN - Pejabat-pejabat Kerajaan Negeri - Pejabat-pejabat PBA - Bukit Bendera - Pasaraya-pasaraya sekitar Pulau Pinang - Hospital-hospital Kerajaan dan Swasta - Pejabat-pejabat NGO - Edaran rumah ke rumah Bagi Maklumat Lanjut, Sila Hubungi :

012-4221133

sertai kami melalui sms blast, taip ADD ME 019 357 9726

012-4277868 04-530 0363 (Tel) 04-538 6950 (Fax) 013-50 00 155

Bagi sebarang maklum balas, sila hantar ke:

Editor BULETIN MUTIARA,

Tingkat 47, Komtar, 10503 Pulau Pinang. Emel: suaracat@gmail.com

019-4490007

Talian Pejabat 04-650 5375, 04 - 650 5559, 04 - 650 5561, 04 - 650 5705, 04 - 650 5256

Shawal Ahmad: 04 - 650 5550, 04 - 650 5256, 012 - 424 9004 shawal@penang.gov.my atau shawal9004@gmail.com

12

It was indeed quite a touching sight when the blind rode on tandem bikes with the ones who could see. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng took part in the St. Nicholas Home for the Visually Impaired charity ride Ride For Sight on a rainy morning. He fetched a 16-year old visually impaired boy. On the way, CM was soothing the visually impaired boy with comforting words from Straits Quay to Penang Town Hall building at the Esplanade.

Six hundred participants took part in the charity ride. Before taking off, CM Lim said, Often times, we place people in a Box, making assumptions about their ability or lack of it, especially the OKUs. By participating in this ride, we are saying that the visually-impaired should be allowed to make that choice themselves. They should have the right to make the choices that we take for granted. All they need is just a little help; in the case of cycling, they need just another kind soul who is willing to ride with them on tandem bikes.

Penang celebrated Earth Day which fell on 22 April 2012 with the first international hiking challenge. The DNonce Penang International Hiking Challenge was the biggest hiking gathering in Penang. 2,000 participants took part in the competition. This included a fun hike with the Chief Minister and his family.

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Penang Municipal Council has gone digital. All the MPPP Councillors have been provided with an iPad2 to help them synchronise and update their tasks more efficiently and effectively. MPPPs Chief , Hajjah Patahiyah Ismail said, This will also save the environment as less paper will be used. From now on, MPPP meetings will be paperless.

During the screening of the movie Urbanized at GSC, Gurney Plaza on 19 April, 2012, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng announced the proposal to increase the minimum limit for foreign purchases of all properties from the existing level of RM500,000 to RM1 million with a higher limit of RM 2 million for landed properties in Penang Island and retaining the present RM 500,000 limit for Permanent Residents. The screening of the documentary Urbanized by Gary Hustwit was organised by Penang Institute along with Think City. The film highlighted many of the serious challenges which are faced by an increasingly urban world. It also showed how some of these problems are addressed.

CM Lim applauded the PTCS and said, Teachers, I salute all of you for all that you have done in nurturing the young minds that will finally be the driving force behind the nations progress. To mould a young mind is a very difficult and onerous task. We are all what we are today, because of our teachers who had refused to give up on us and had persevered in instilling in us a sense of discipline and love for knowledge. As has been said, small minds gossip about people, average minds discuss events and great minds think new ideas. Most of all, you have opened up our minds to great ideas.

The Penang Teachers Cooperative Society (PTCS) celebrated its 80th anniversary on 21st April, 2012 . Since its inception in 1928, the PTCS has come a long way from being one of the pre-war cooperatives in the country to become one of the most well-managed co-ops in the country with a substantial paid-up capital and share capital of more than RM35 million. The PTCS has 5,000 members.

Legal suit against Utusan, New Straits Times and Perkasa

CHIEF Minister Lim Guan Eng issued a press statement on 4th May, 2012 why certain UMNO-linked press are not included in the State events. He also announced that he has instructed his lawyers to proceed to file an action for defamation in the High Court against PERKASA, the New Straits Times Press and Utusan Melayu (Bhd). Press Statement by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in George Town on 4 May, 2012 The recent case of the New Straits Times deliberate lies and fabrication of news against Australian Senator Nick Xenophon demonstrates why I am compelled not to invite the unethical UMNO-linked press to my functions purely as an act of self-defence against such accomplished serial liars. The New Straits Times has admitted that it falsely replaced the word Scientology with Islam in a speech quoted in its 2 May 2012 news report, which claimed that the Australian Senator had called Islam a criminal organisation and which accused him of being anti-Islam. Like Senator Xenophon, Malaysians are also sickened by the UMNO-linked presss blatant fabrication of lies passed off as news to the Malaysian public. The Penang State Government is therefore fully justified in refusing to allow its press conferences and State functions to be deliberately misreported and misrepresented by the UMNO-linked press. Although we believe in the freedom of the press, the refusal of the UMNO-linked media to abide by the basic ethics of truthful journalism, and their refusal to give me the right of reply to correct false news, leaves me without any choice but to act in selfdefence by declining any news coverage from the UMNOowned papers. Much as we want news coverage, better no coverage than coverage filled with hurtful lies, slander and falsehoods. It has been reported that Senator Xenophon intends to go ahead and sue the New Straits Times for the damage that has been done to his reputation, despite the newspapers admission of guilt and statement of regret. In the case of a false news report carried by the New Sunday Times, Mingguan Malaysia and

14

CM Lim showing members of the media the article from The Malaysian Insider.

Berita Minggu on 2 October 2011, which was defamatory of me, Datuk Mohamed Azman Yahya and Datuk Seri Kalimullah Hassan, I have not received a single word of apology or of clarification. These articles published in the UMNO-linked

press carried PERKASAs allegation that I, together with Datuk Azman and Datuk Seri Kalimullah, had attended a dinner with senior Singapore PAP leaders at which Malaysian national secrets were allegedly discussed. No attempt was made by these newspapers to clarify the allegation by contacting the parties alleged to have been involved. These UMNO-linked newspapers have since apologised to Datuk Seri Kalimullah and to Datuk Azman for their false and defamatory allegation, but for political reasons have refused, in spite of my lawyers requests, to pay any damage or to publish any clarification or apology concerning the allegations against me. I am therefore announcing that I will be instructing my lawyers to proceed to file an action for defamation in the High Court against PERKASA, the New Straits Times Press and Utusan Melayu (Bhd). I do not have the resources and ability to file a court defamation action every time the UMNOlinked media defame me. Even without their news coverage, the New Straits Times has continued to run defamatory articles against me. Imagine how many more court actions I would have to file if they were invited to run riot with lies at my news conferences. LIM GUAN ENG

Penang State Assembly

15

The Governor inspecting the Guard of Honour.

PENANG State Assembly opened on 30th ward and maintain peace inspite of various April, 2012 for the fifth session of the 12th challenges. Penang State Assembly. The Governor also prayed that Penang will Penang Governor Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun be blessed and protected by the Almighty. He Abdul Rahman Abbas inspected the guard of urged all Penangites to be united under the honour before his administration and leaderopening speech. ship of the People Centric In his speech, Government which has the Governor exbrought changes to peopressed thanksples lives. giving and joy for The Governors speech Penang State is which was 11 pages long peaceful and harcovered all aspects of the monious. He took State including economy, the opportunity to infrastructure, tourism, thank the Chief welfare, traffic, environM i n i s t e r, E x c o ment, agriculture, human Members, civil capital, education, housservants and seing, health, sport, women curity team for welfare, community etc. their efforts and d e d i c a t i o n t o Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and bring Penang for- his wife, Betty Chew Gek Cheng.

From left to right - Penang State Assembly Speaker, Dato Abdul Halim Hussain, The Governor and CM Lim.

The Assemblymembers greeting each other.

The State Legislature convenes.

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