To last long, government must keep its word, says Guan Eng

A government must keep its word, otherwise it would not last long, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said in relation to the recent removal of two PKR reps from the board of government-linked agencies. The duo were among those who had abstained from voting against a Barisan Nasional motion on land reclamation in November last year, at the state legislative assembly. Their dismissal from the GLCs had since drawn criticism. Although Lim, in his speech during the Air Putih Chinese New Year open house last night, did not specifically mention the issue or name the two PKR assemblymen, it was clear that he was addressing the matter. He said that the new Pakatan Harapan coalition, made up of DAP, PKR and Parti Amanah Negara in Penang must be strengthened to face the next general election. To do so, he said, the state government must keep its promises and be people-oriented, while assuring the people that the present state government remains united. "We want to assure the people that the government will look after them. We are not talking only of Air Putih, but also of Kebun Bunga and other constituencies in Bukit Bendera. "This is our assurance to the people. We are a people-oriented government... one that is solid, that works as one team and 100% united. "As the CM, I can guarantee that the state executive council is united, whether we are from DAP or PKR. (We work in) one heart for one Penang. We are a team with collective decision-making because we are men and women of honour. "When you have agree on something in a meeting, you do not go back on your word and decision. You do not 'tikam belakang' (stab others in the back)," he said. One of the two PKR reps is Kebun Bunga assemblyman Cheah Kah Peng, whose seat is under the Bukit Bendera parliamentary constituency. Lim's Air Putih is also one of the four state seats in the same parliamentary constituency. Cheah was dropped as a director in Penang Hill Corporation, while his party colleague Ong, who is PKR whip in the state assembly, was removed as state investment promotion agency investPenang and Island Golf Properties Bhd, a subsidiary of state investment arm Penang Development Corporation. Lim is chairman of all the agencies. Lim also told the crowd at the open house that the next general election would not be easy due to several factors. Apart from Pakatan Harapan being recently set up and talk of underlying connections with PAS, a former ally, other factors he said included money politics aimed to influence the sentiment of voters, and "unfair, unfavourable and one-sided reporting" by the media. "Pakatan Harapan is new, and there are still talk that there are some bonds with those who used to be our friends. 'Kawan jadi lawan' (friends who are now adversaries). "The unfair reporting is already happening. We have to give the right facts and views to the people. "The people of Penang can make out which are the truth and which are lies. In the next election, you (Penang voters) can prove that you trust the state government, which has worked hard to earn your trust," he said. – February 22, 2016.]]>