THE Penang state government caused an uproar when it announced its free WiFi coverage will not be extended to constituencies friendly to the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) party.

Penang Telecommunications Task Force chairman Jeff Ooi said that the reason was due to a lack of resources. “There is no point investing money in Kepala Batas, Tasik Gelugor and Nibong Tebal for now,” said Ooi. “If we have the resources, we will, but our resources are limited so we are focusing on the Pakatan-held constituencies.”

Response to Ooi's statements were swift. “Such childish behaviour shows that Pakatan Rakyat is insincere in taking care of the people's welfare,” said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economic Planning Unit) Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop. 

Youth and Sports Minister and Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek added that the Penang state government's “true colours” were finally revealed. "They kept saying they are fair but even in such a small matter, they want to discriminate."

Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen said that she had spoken to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng about the matter, and added that Lim will look into it. Read here.

Ahmad Shabery urged the state government to play fair. “Federal government leaders always take care of the needs and interests of everybody,” he said. Read here.

In response, Lim denied any charges of bias, adding that WiFi coverage will in fact be doubled. “How can the PR state government be accused of discriminating against BN supporters when even Karpal Singh’s parliamentary seat is not covered by Redtone’s first free WiFi initiative?” he said in a statement.

He added that leaders from BN should stop spreading “lies” about its WiFi programme. “This good intention by the state government to ensure free WiFi coverage for all has now been distorted and twisted to an act of discrimination by the PR state government against BN supporters.” Read here.

Penang Hill trains to resume operations in April

The Penang Hill train service will resume its operations in April, following a year-long upgrading project. The trains, upgraded to Swiss-designed coaches, are expected to begin running in the middle of the month.

“We expect that with these new trains, the number of visitors at Bukit Bendera will quadruple to 2.4 million when it operates fully,” said Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen. The upgrading project was funded by the Tourism Ministry for RM73mil. Read here.

Ng added that the project is in line with its plans to further develop Penang Hill. “Penang Hill is a unique place for botany enthusiasts who love nature. I hope the Penang Hill Corporation will fully utilise its potential and make Penang Hill an icon in the state.” Read here.

The new trains are expected to lead to a revised fare system once the state government retakes control of the train system from the federal government. “We will announce the new rates for the train (service) later but we assure Penang Hill residents their rates would remain the same,” said Lim. Read here.

Other news

• The last Jew to leave Penang: It was a muggy night in George Town but Joseph Hayeem Abraham Jacobs was loathe to dine in any of the air-conditioned restaurants lining Gurney Plaza’s swanky strip. Read here.
• Minimal impact on Penang electronics sector: The impact of the Japanese crisis on the electronics manufacturing sector in Penang has been minimal so far. Read here.
• Funny street art on the wall: VISITORS to inner George Town can look forward to eight more witty caricature sculptures to mark the city’s Unesco World Heritage Site. Read here.
• English classes for Penang civil servants: Civil servants in the Penang government will be encouraged to attend special English classes in a bid to improve general proficiency of the language among officers here. Read here.
• A grave question for conservation: Even in death, it was arguably a rather undignified turn of events for a distinguished personage whose family had made its fair share of contribution to the socio-economic history of Penang. Read here.

For more news on Penang, please click through to iGT NetBuzz March 14 to 21, 2011 here. For daily updates, "like" iGeorgeTown on Facebook or join us on Twitter.  

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