SOME 170 participants from 35 NGOs including representatives from Aliran, Jerit Penang, Malaysian Nature Society, Penang Heritage Trust, Penang Transport Council, etc, convened last Sunday (07.03.10) for a forum organised by the Penang Forum Working Group. Entitled 'Penang: Has anything changed after two years?', the forum passed two resolutions. First, they welcomed and supported the call by the Penang state government to hold local council elections. Second, they called upon the state government and the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) to make public the Local Plan, which has been completed (and revised) since 2009. Read here

Blogger Anil Netto reported several fascinating findings that were learnt during the forum, for example:

• “Only four councillors make the major decisions on property development projects; just four! This makes it easier for developers to lobby and bargain with them
• “The Local Plan for Penang Island has been completed and revised since 2009, but still not yet been made public. Why? When can we see it?
• “The public cleansing powers of the councils could soon be taken over by a federal body, which could then contract it out to private operators.
• “That swiftlet breeders have taken over hundreds of shophouses in the George Town inner city area...
• “Penang street food contributes more to the local economy than the MNCs? This is something we could capitalise on and turn Penang into the culinary capital of the Asia Pacific region. To this end, a Street Food Institute is being set up under the auspices of the Socio-Economic and Environmental Research Institute (Seri) of Penang...” Read here for more.

The forum also viewed the “impact of widespread federalism, or entrenched federal government powers in state affairs” as a serious concern in the state today. Aliran secretary Dr Francis Loh pointed to agencies like the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB), under the Prime Minister’s Department, which issues permits and regulates public transport like buses and taxis in the state, as well as the Penang Port whose officials are appointed by the finance and transport ministries. Read here

In related news, the Penang state government has written to the Election Commission asking it to hold local government elections for the Penang and Seberang Prai municipal councils, under Article 113 (4) of the Federal Constitution. The section says that the state government can call for elections other than federal or state matters. Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had asserted that the state will continue with its reformation policy to bring changes for the people. “We want to run the state in a democratic way and listen to the views of the people and implement what is good for the state. We are ready to take the risk in Penang on local government elections.”  Read here and here. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, on the other hand, has claimed that local government elections would not ensure better services to the peoples. Read here

Other news

• Banking on heritage: The effort to promote heritage conservation in Penang’s heritage zone has captured the attention of internationally renowned architect Hijjas Kasturi. Read here
• Private companies urged to contribute to National Heritage Fund: Private firms were urged to contribute to the National Heritage Fund as private contributions can pay for the conservation and restoration of national heritage. Read here
• Penang records 78% drop in investments last year: Foreign investments in Penang declined a whopping 78 per cent to RM2.2 billion last year against RM10.2 billion recorded in 2008. Read here
• Statements from Lim, assemblymen recorded: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and three state assemblymen had their statements recorded, following 12 police reports lodged against them for committing criminal defamation, sedition and organising ceramah without permit. Read here
• Penang wants music fest back on stage: The Penang Tourism Department Committee has offered to take over the organising of the Penang World Music Festival from its federal counterpart this year. Read here

For more news on Penang from March 1 to 7, 2010 , please click here.

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