Perak Kini 即时霹雳 (We are also in perakkini.blogspot.com)

The cat and mouse game continues
ANALYSIS
By SUHAINI AZNAM

The political roller coaster sweeping Malaysians since the March 8 general election has shown no signs of abating. On the converse, it is reaching a crescendo, with Sept 16 looming next week.

SIX months have passed since Malaysia took a gargantuan leap towards a two-party system. It has been a tumultuous period since voters showed their disappointment with the ruling party of the past half-century – the, up to now, invincible Barisan Nasional.

After four west coast states went to Pakatan Rakyat, the stunned PKR, DAP and PAS, having suddenly found themselves formalised as unlikely partners, jostled for state government positions and the contentious posts of mentri besar. Parliamentary debate rose to fever-pitch and walkouts became the order of the day.

On Aug 26, the Permatang Pauh by-election saw Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emerge as Opposition Leader, bringing him that much closer to forming his new government by Sept 16.

The excitement has not stopped. The past couple of days have seen a spin of rumours via SMS that seven Barisan parties would defect by Sept 16.

The intensity of speculation was such that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi himself, who had long refused to entertain rumours, had to unequivocally deny that crossovers would take place.

The rumours were hotly denied, especially in Sabah, where politicians were understandably insulted that everyone expected them to make the first jump.

In the peninsula, too, the Gerakan and the People's Progressive Party said no such thing was in the offing.

In Sarawak, the clutch of Bidayuh MPs who in March were rumbling about quitting the Barisan, were irritated by these questions.

All Sarawak Barisan MPs have pledged their loyalty to Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Ironically, some politicians in both Sabah and Sarawak expect Umno MPs from the peninsula to lead the crossover, arguing that only Malays could make such a move without it being misconstrued as traitorous. So far, not a single Umno MP has shown his hand.

So what is Anwar's game?

Keeping everyone guessing is obviously part of it. And keeping up the momentum of expectations among supporters and anyone else fed up with Barisan's slowness to respond.

Anwar also hopes to trigger off the bandwagon effect, knowing that no serious MP would want to be left behind.

It was exactly for this reason the Sabah Progressive Party had jumped the gun by several months when its president Datuk Yong Teck Lee announced its readiness to back a vote of no-confidence against Abdullah.

Meanwhile, Anwar ensures that he keeps himself in the news. Through it all, Anwar is successfully proving how easily he can manipulate Barisan leaders, specifically those from Umno.

But those who expect Anwar to be the harbinger of change forget that he grew up politically in Barisan.

Barisan is playing right into Anwar's psy-war game. Its strenuous denials to reporters' proddings have given Anwar credibility.

That Barisan backbenchers going abroad on an agricultural field trip gives ammunition to Anwar if he does not manage to make good on his promise.

Anwar realises that his most effective reach is the alternative media, so it was there last week that his campaigners plugged his timeline to the prime minister's office.

The immediacy of the SMS, meanwhile, made it the most efficient disseminator of rumours.

Anwar's willingness to create instability erodes his leadership qualities. For him, it is as if the means justifies his ultimate goal. Or, as a non-politician reasoned simply: “a person who is so desperate to become prime minister will not make a good one”.

Expecting to form a government by enticing MPs to jump is “evil”, said Parti Bersatu Sabah deputy president Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili.

Calling it “shameful and unethical,” he condemned such dirty politics and the notion that elected representatives “could be bought and sold for a pot of political porridge”.

For him, as for Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, the people's mandate had to be respected.

Integrity, after all, requires no rules.

“不能一句閉嘴就噤聲”

家定拒接受首相言論
（古來7日訊）“華人寄居論”風波；馬華總會長拿督斯里黃家定不接受首相拿督斯里阿都拉的言論，並指華人不能因為一句“閉嘴”，而默不作聲。

黃家定認為，寄居論傷害華人自尊，相關人士應該作出交代。

他說，馬華難以理解，首相前幾天才要求提出“寄居論”的巫統升旗山區部主席拿督阿末依斯邁道歉，可是，今天立場卻改變了。

黃家定也是馬華柔州聯委會主席。他今午主持馬華柔州聯委會常年大會開幕時，這麼指出。

不獲原諒

昨日，首相拿督斯里阿都拉提醒各造，包括媒體，不要再炒作一些課題，以致引起國人情緒不安，對此，黃家定今日鄭重表態，不接受首相這番說詞。

黃家定說，之前，副首相拿督斯里納吉為了表示“寄居論”與巫統無關，劃清界線，已就“寄居論”道歉，當時馬華也表示歡迎，並接受副首相的好意。

他說，隨后，副首相和巫統高層領袖皆要阿末依斯邁道歉，沒料到，事件卻出現逆轉性發展。

據他向檳城聯委會主席拿督廖中萊了解，檳城人民對“寄居論”十分生氣，如果讓事情隨便帶過，其他州黨員和同志也會非常憤怒。

居心何在

黃家定也稱阿末依斯邁為“小人物”，這人躲了一陣子才敢站出來，卻指當天所說的“寄居論”是指歷史事實。

“在檳城補選，跑出一名叫阿末的人，這人只是小人物，但在非常時期講出猶如心裡怨氣的話。”

“在補選演講，大家直接了當講大課題，怎可能還有人講歷史，到底居心何在？”
他認為，現在無論對方如何狡辯和推卸責任，已經無法讓馬來西亞人民原諒。

作者 - 賴昭光

反貪污局如果檢舉貪污時，人贓並獲，難免令人相信「牛唔飲水邊咁得牛頭低」。霹靂州行政議員涉嫌收賄案件，安華質疑可能事有蹊蹺，該黨署理主席賽胡先阿里更認為可能是圈套。這兩位高層領導的初步反應，難免予人包庇自己人的感覺。

次日，霹靂州務大臣及蔡添強皆認定這些指控是子虛烏有的抹黑運動，旨在影響峇東埔補選的選情。該黨也連忙印製傳單聲稱當時奧斯曼與前公正黨州議員烏賽裡在攤子喝茶時，巧遇兩名不明人士上前搭訕，並留下一個袋子。當兩人好奇而拿起袋子來檢查時，就遭到反貪污局逮捕。

此外，蔡添強舉證案中的1億8千萬令吉斯裡伊斯干達房屋發展計劃並不存在，況且兩名行政議員也沒有權力處理房屋發展計劃。其實這兩個理由並不足以否定貪污及行賄存在的可能性。畢竟腐敗的貪污行為是足以促使發展計劃無中生有，賄賂行政議員亦可確保發展計劃得以在行政議會通關，或達到影響負責房屋發展的行政議員做決策的目的。

公正黨就算不相信反貪污局的獨立性，或深信自家的議員不會涉貪，如果急于保住「多數票」而要人民完全否定反貪污局的功能，恐怕不容易。況且，人民尚在引頸觀望公正黨如何處罰擅闖改教論壇的居林區國會議員，嚴明的賞罰制度若不能確立並獲得人民的認同，則「前科」只好作為人民參考與判斷「后事」的素材。

此外， 公正黨領導層在確定此案為抹黑運動前，即斷定該黨被檢舉的行政議員在調查水落石出前無需停職，這違反該黨及民聯成員黨過去堅持疑涉貪受反貪局調查的高官須停職的原則，所以是持雙重標準的做法。

從另一方面來看，若公正黨指稱的抹黑圈套計劃屬實，則顯示國陣認為人民相信的政府機關只剩下一個反貪污局，也許反貪污局近來一連串檢舉部門總監涉貪的努力，正是養兵千日，用在一朝的謀略。國陣以反貪污局近來的「前科」來加強這「后事」的說服力，公正黨始料不及吧！

许子根要求查阅八项文件，林冠英只允许他查阅其中一项。有没有参加过辩论会的人都知道，辩论课题的资料非常重要，没有数据资料，则只能谈理论，无法引用数 据资料佐证理论。"土地舞弊案"不是一个理念或宏观政策性的辩论，我认为许子根要求查阅所需的数据是合理的，而林冠英若要拒绝他查阅其他七类文件，则必须 提出令人信服的理由，同时解释早前他声称已经通过行政议会解密的文件是否就只这一类？而如果其他七类文件如果林冠英认为不宜解密，不能让公众知道其内容， 为什么还要就此课题进行公开辩论？公众又如何通过这样的表演式辩论会了解"真相"？真理又如何得以越辩越明？
林冠英认为是槟州的事，要求在槟州辩论，他说这是他的唯一要求。至今预料主办单位仍决定在吉隆坡举行辩论 ，并有电视现场转播。既然林冠英知道是电视直播，辩论地点有多重要？除非他想在槟岛的体育馆来一场万人观赏它英雄式表演的现场观赏秀，否则，在家看电视转 播岂不更有效帮人民节省汽油？
槟州首席部长办公室幕僚长黄泉安指林冠英只为辩论会而购买机票去吉隆坡是浪费纳税人的钱，这样牛的理由也讲得出来，不知道是猪寮还是幕僚。

Comments on Lim Guan Eng:

1.   Still act like opposition.
2.   强词夺理
3.   Macam berkempen........ no facts at all
4.   塞人吃死猫
5.    Langsung tak macam CM, macam monyet.... (gorek.....gorek.....gorek.....) Beh Ta Han!

Conclusion:

Lost!

Comments on Koh Tzu Koon:

1. Still look like a CM. Got the style.
2. With facts and clear explanation.
3. 君子风度不减当年。
4. People of Penang sure regret on their votes to DAP.
5. Inilah pemimpin yang kita nak, yang berputar-pelik demi tipu rakyat perlu dibuang sama sekali.

Conclusion:

WON!

Video 1: Koh NOT AFRAID of Guan Eng
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKyTFWcUN4M

Video 2: Guan Eng Misleads the Public
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7zM9rfRE7o

Video 3: Guan Eng Denied Dr. Koh Access of Important Documents
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0nVz5Wrkz0

Video 4: Koh: A debate About the Debate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6YGuaWz1ec

IPOH: Departing from racial politics is an important step in unifying all Malaysians, Gerakan vice-president Datuk Chang Ko Youn said.

Stressing that racial politics was no longer in fashion in the 21st century, he said all political parties in the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat must amend their respective constitutions and become non-racial parties.

“Malaysia has practised racial politics for 51 years and we know it is divisive as each party only talks on behalf of the racial group it represents,” he told reporters here yesterday.

“When all races are in a single party, no one person will try to be the champion of the party.

“It is easy to be a Malay hero, a Chinese hero or an Indian hero but it is difficult to be a Malaysian hero,” added Chang, who is also Perak Gerakan chief.

He noted that it was clear from the results of the last general election that voters did not like racial politics.

“The country is facing economic problems now and it is important that the Government and political parties come up with a Malaysian agenda on how to unite the people and face these challenges,” he said.

Earlier when opening the state Gerakan Youth and Wanita annual delegates conference here, Chang said it was selfish of Umno to hold talks with PAS on issues limited to Malay and Muslim unity.

“Gerakan is uncomfortable and dissatisfied with the talks.

“We can agree if it had been to create political stability and a good foundation for all Malaysians, but its topics had been too narrow and limiting and do not benefit all,” he said.

Umno, he added, would not take it too well if Gerakan did the same with PKR or the DAP.

鄭可揚：查言行不一致
民政收集民聯資料
（怡保10日訊）民政黨霹靂州聯委會主席拿督鄭可揚說，民政黨將收集民聯政府過去4個月執政的資料，看看民聯政府是否言行一致，還是講一套做一套的州政府。

此時，他引用民政黨顧問拿督斯里林敬益醫生的經典名句，在適當時候脫褲子，意即攤開真相讓人民看清楚，對方是否言行一致。

鄭可揚今早在怡東酒店，為民政黨霹靂州婦女組及青年團代表大會致開幕詞時，這么說。

他說，他發現民聯政府的行政議員及州議員，不論在講話方面或工作態度方面，都好像在以前仍是反對黨的時候，不知如何處理問題及推行政策。

他說，民聯政府的行政議員及州議員發現問題時，仍只會批評；事實上，他們已是執政黨，就不應只懂批評，應以行動解決問題，可能他們還沒適應環境吧。

只會批評

他說，民政黨輸掉議席變成反對黨，所以現在將扮演監督角色，收集民聯政府執政4個月的一些資料，證明他們到底是言行一致，還是講一套做一套？

較后在記者會上，他被詢及如何看待民聯政黨及國陣應就國家大事舉行對話會的建議時，鄭可揚表示贊同這個建議。

他說，各政黨應拋開各自的政治理念，探討國家大事共同點，以應付經濟危機。

Perak Gerakan Wanita: Release Hindraf 5
By CHAN LI LEEN

IPOH: Perak Gerakan Wanita has called on the Government to release leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

The call to release M. Manoharan, P. Uthayakumar, V. Ganabatirau, K. Vasantha Kumar and R. Kenghadaran, detained since last Dec 13, were among the resolutions passed during the state Gerakan Youth and Wanita annual delegates conference on Sunday.

Both Youth and Wanita wings passed their six and 12-point resolutions, mostly concerning education, national issues, corruption and the present economic scenario.

Wanita further drew attention to the problem of lack of Chinese national type schoolteachers and asked the Education Ministry to re-evaluate its hiring process so that qualified ones were not turned away.

The Ministry was also urged to be fair in its distribution of funds to government-aided schools to speed up their construction and development.

The wing also urged the Government to give a free hand to the Judiciary and the Anti-Corruption Agency to investigate government agencies without fear or favour in order to restore the people's trust and faith.

It said the Government should also pay more attention to the rising corruption within its agencies and to take stern action against those involved.

The Youth wing asked that the party's constitution be reviewed to allow for the post of deputy chief to be created at the branch, division and state levels.

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Oriental daily

出貓亂了貓政府的貓步

2008年8月6日

作者 - 楊善勇

民行黨黨魁林吉祥、秘書長冠英父子倆不知何故，這一陣子雙雙似乎都特別喜歡提「貓」，常在「貓」事遊走留連，又以「貓」的字眼做了一些文章。我猜想，他們心裡一定很愛貓。

記得大選之前，好事者一度提起1995年丹絨第二役，民行黨魏福星律師奮起攻打身任首席部長的妻舅許子根博士之事。林吉祥先生透露，魏夫人那年連夜急電責問為何處心積慮安排魏氏對壘她的兄弟。

林氏2008年2月10日的那篇文告說，那場跨世紀的王者之戰，事實上出自魏本人和魏的智囊團本意。但是，身為黨秘書長，林先生解釋，他只好吞下了死貓：I had to 「eat dead cat」。

此文發表不久，「小辣椒」馮寶君相信因為不斷激化的內部矛盾而在308大選前臨陣棄戰，2月18日林吉祥再次喊冤被逼「吃死貓」。林先生當時火速澄清從未發出任何指示，要求馮寶君放棄霹靂州華都牙也原任國會選區，移師參選。

林吉祥先生使用「死貓」這個生動的比喻，當然不僅有兩次。借助google 的搜查結果顯示，和林吉祥以及dead cat同時出現的英文條目，至少有1180則；中文猶多。

實現貓政府政策

或是這個好貓之故， 308政治海嘯大政變， 林冠英蒙恩新任檳州首席部長，跟著提出一個縮寫為「貓」的CAT行政三大標準： 賢德兼備（Credibility） 、盡忠職守（Accountability），坦誠布公（Transparency）。

7月17日州政府推介了我國首個州屬所有的電子採購系統（e-perolehan），《光華日報》的新聞甚至這樣說：今日是檳州新政府感到驕傲的一天，因為它為實現貓政府（CAT GOVERNMENT）政策踏出一大步！

興高采烈走出這一大貓步以后，不料同月22日前柑仔園區州議員汪天來爆料，直指郭庭源人在2007年11月州議會所呈書面提問，其中三道與汪氏的past year questions相似度高達99％。汪先生因此揶揄貓政府是copycat。

是的，貓固然還是貓，不過卻是「出貓」:It is a cat, but a copycat。壞處在于，死貓勉強還吃得下，這只「若有雷同，純屬巧合」的copycat倒是讓CAT政府消化不良，冒出冷汗了。

事情一經政敵揭穿，郭庭源乃在民聯黨鞭拉瑪沙米陪同下，頗有幽默地道歉：不管相關「疏忽」是否由私人助理犯下，他都會為此負起全部責任，以便符合檳州政府所貫徹的CAT施政原則；以cat之道還諸copycat之身。

《東方日報》當天的新聞還有如此傳神精彩的臉部大特寫：「郭庭源今日在記者會上顯得一臉愧疚，簡短地念完已準備的講稿后就靜靜坐在一旁，一副不知所措的樣子。」

「死貓」與「出貓」

這樣的一刻，這樣的樣子，我就想起游川那首寫在1989年11月14日的〈愛貓〉之詩：最記得那只/餵它吃魚時/捉傷我的手又來依偎我的腳的/臭花貓，每每想起/就覺得/你很貓。

無論如何，「靜靜坐在一旁，一副不知所措」的可憐貓樣，恐怕還不足夠。拉瑪沙米表示，我黨已著手調查，「不會把問題掃進地毯」，並把來龍去脈向首長林冠英據實報告，屆時再作決定是否採取行動對付郭氏。

如今事情過了n周，所謂的行動究竟是什么呢？檳州首席部長林冠英仍然繼續揭發前朝政府徵用土地的這些錯誤和那些舞弊，導致我州政府蒙受逾億令吉的巨大損失，甚至還要許子根博士像男人般站出來。

阿狗阿貓的我們還不清楚一億可以買幾粒蕃薯換幾包米，僅能希望調查后不會貓鼠同眠，從此夜裡聽到很多男人的貓叫，早上的州議會又多了一隻總是那么疲倦的加菲貓；悄悄地伺機n度出貓，捉傷「投火箭」的手又來依偎「再轉變」的腳：

（男聲，雄壯地，肚懶地）小老鼠上燈台/偷吃油下不來/喵喵喵貓來了/嘰裡咕嚕滾下來

（女聲，溫柔地，撒嬌地）我是貓一隻暹羅的貓我是貓一隻蕃薯的貓/那天大會我隨便抄抄不知道天有多高/如果你今天也有些疲倦何不學我做貓/不像男人總東奔西跑忙得亂糟糟/如果你厭倦去做個男人不如跟我們出貓

（合唱，要怎么唱就怎么唱）小花貓上神台/偷出貓下不來/呸呸呸人來了/嘰裡咕嚕滾下來

MENGKUANG DAM EXPANSION SHOULD PROCEED

BUT CM MUST COMMUNICATE WITH FEDERAL

Press Release by Former Chief Minister of Penang,
Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon
(Tuesday, 5 August 2008)

(1) The Federal Government should proceed with the project to expand the Mengkuang Dam which is crucial as a strategic reserve for water supply to the people and industry in Penang.

(2) Responding to the call by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on Mengkuang, the former Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said that this project was originally approved under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP). Some allocation had already been given for the purpose of land acquisition.

(3) "Based on what I can now recall, the previous state government has earlier put up a very strong case for the implementation of the Mengkuang Dam expansion. The federal government agreed. So, I am surprised that the project is now shelved, as revealed by Lim Guan Eng," said Dr Koh.

(4) "Rather than criticising the federal government through the media, the present Chief Minister should make his rounds to meet the relevant ministers and key departmental heads, to convince them of the importance of the Mengkuang Dam expansion by using the arguments prepared and presented by the previous state government," suggested Dr Koh.

(5) "It is necessary for him to do so because, after the General Election in March, there have been changes in the leadership of the relevant ministries and key officers who may not appreciate fully the urgency of expanding Mengkuang. The relevant ministers include the Minister of Energy, Water and Communication, the Second Finance Minister, the Works Minister, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of the Economic Planning Unit, etc."

(6) Under the present structure and mechanism of Federal and state governments, every Mentri Besar or Chief Minister must establish a good working relationship with the relevant federal ministers, continually communicate and discuss with them, so as to present strong arguments for projects and allocations needed for the state. This is because there has always been competition amongst all states for federal allocation. It is not effective to merely demand and criticise through the media.

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You are lucky, says Russian investor

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians should adopt a positive attitude over the government's decision to cut fuel subsidies, said Akhmed Shaptukaev, the director-general of Russian-based Invest-Capital Ltd.
"You are fortunate as you are still enjoying a fuel subsidy. Your oil price is also not high.

"Russia produces 10 million barrels of oil a day, 10 times more than Malaysia's output. Yet, the price of our fuel is much higher than yours. Our salaries are also lower.

"Malaysians should be grateful for the prevailing situation with regards to fuel prices. In the end, the government will return savings from subsidies to the people," he said.

Shaptukaev was one of four delegates from the Russian Republic of Chechnya, who visited Malaysia for five days from July 14 to explore business and investment opportunities.
They met officials of the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development, DRB-Hicom, the Malaysia Furniture Promotion Council, the Halal Industry Development Corporation and Limkokwing University, among others.

Discussions centred on bilateral trade and investment in sectors such as oil and gas, petrochemical, automobile and components manufacturing, infrastructure projects, and education.

Going multilingual on signs
By : Sharanjit Singh

GEORGE TOWN: English, Chinese, Tamil, Arabic and Japanese will join Bahasa Malaysia in road signs in some parts of Penang.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the move should not be politicised as Bahasa Malaysia would still be prominent.

He said it was also in line with George Town's inclusion in the Unesco World Heritage site list.

He said multilingual signs would be used according to the historical, cultural and ethnic background of people in specific areas.

For example, areas with a Malay background would see the inclusion of Arabic, Tamil would feature in Little India and Chinese in Chinese areas.
He said George Town had been recognised due to its universal value, living heritage, religious buildings and unique shophouse architecture.

On the need to have such signs given the fact that the people had managed without them so far, he said the state government wanted to project the diversity of Penang which was the coming together of various cultures.

The move came under immediate fire from Umno with its state secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim telling the state assembly yesterday that no other place in the world had road signs in so many languages.

Tanjung Umno Youth also urged the state government to maintain Bahasa Malaysia as the sole language on road signs.

Its chief, Shaharrudin Hassan, said the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state government should not play with fire in the matter.

Lim said the issue should not be politicised as the people wanted to see the diversity of cultures being highlighted.

He likened the signs to multilingual announcements at airports and other places.

"This is actually something that was supposed to be done a long time ago.

"The only reason it was not was because there was no political will.

"We want to prove that this government is one that implements and not just talks."

The issue of multilingual signs comes in the wake of styrofoam signs in Mandarin put up below road signs yesterday by a group of Gerakan Youth members.

The group, led by former Penang Municipal Councillor Dr Thor Teong Ghee, said such road signs were vital as George Town had been listed as a world heritage site by Unesco.

Dr Thor who is also a state Gerakan Youth committee member, had challenged the DAP to come up with such signs since the PR constituted the state government today.

State Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the group from Gerakan had flouted local council regulations and would be issued notices.

"I have directed the Penang Island Municipal Council to issue a notice to Gerakan.

"They must bring down the signs or face action."

Meanwhile, Penang Municipal Council president Datuk Zainal Rahim Seman said the group's action was tantamount to vandalism.

He said people cannot just go round putting up signs on their own as the matter was under the jurisdiction of the local authority.

大選前

1.2007年6月23日行動黨社青團推行的檳州設中文路牌運動，設立的中文路牌一夜間消失，因為被指牴觸地方政府法令條文，雖然大選后中選彭加蘭哥打新科州議員劉敬億重申會兌現中文路牌承諾，但至今未有所定案。

2.民主行動黨譏諷馬華議員戴宋谷，說背祖忘宗。拒絕戴宋谷是民主行動黨的政策。

3.民主行動黨經常指首相身兼多職，同時為多個部門的部長，同時也指責馬華議員兼任市議員。

4.馬華一直在協助新村處理更新租賃地契。

5.霹靂和檳州市民需要為地方政府發出的小販和泊車傳票付費。

6.民主行動黨不斷要求恢復地方議會選舉。

7.民主行動黨過去經常把馬華議員譏為“溝渠議員”和“街道議員”。

大選後

1.檳州民政率隊設置中文路牌。

2.在朝后，民主行黨認同戴宋谷是遵守官訪禮節，戴宋谷不再是課題。

3.大選后，身前多職的民聯領袖大有人在，從首席部長、州務大臣、國州議員至市議員都有。

4.霹靂州民聯政府宣佈批准永久地契給新村和甘榜。

5.霹靂和檳州新政府宣佈取消各地方政府在3月17日和11日前發出的小販和泊車傳票。

6.民聯執政的州屬仍延續國陣所採用的委任地方議員，因為地方議會選舉受到聯邦憲法限制而無法落實。

7.大家一起成為“溝渠議員”了。

Perakkini.multiply.com is going to hit the 2000 visits. Althought is a small number but it is worth for celebrating. Thank you for all the visitors whom given their comments and those who have just dropped by.

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Thanks you.

PENANG INVESTMENT: Inexperience caused failure
By : CALVIN SANKARAN, Bukit Mertajam

THE announcement by Samsung that it selected the Philippines rather than Penang to invest in a new integrated circuit plant is a setback to the state government under Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. The US$1 billion (RM3.2 billion) plant will be built in Clark, north of Manila.
At first glance, it is hard to understand Samsung's decision. In terms of physical infrastructure, human resources, supply base and public utilities, Penang is superior to Clark. Also, Penang's position as one of world's most important electronics industry hubs and the presence of extensive supporting industries should have swung the decision in its favour.

One might suspect this was due to the recent fuel price hike and the Federal Government's decision to defer the monorail and Outer Ring Road projects.

However, Samsung's announcement was made well before the fuel price hike and the Federal Government's decision to shelve the projects. Furthermore, the price of petrol in the Philippines is 64 pesos (RM4.92) per litre and expected to go up soon.

While I am neither privy to the thought processes of Samsung's management nor involved in the negotiations between InvestPenang and the South Korean company, it is not too hard to guess what transpired.
Shortly before the decision was announced, Lim and his delegation paid a visit to South Korea. It is obvious that Lim failed to convince Samsung on the advantages of investing in Penang.

It would come as no surprise that he failed in his mission if we look at the composition of the delegation.

The delegation of six included five party members who had neither the experience nor the official responsibility for attracting foreign direct investment. Only Datuk Lee Kah Choon was from InvestPenang, but even he was a political appointee who has little experience in foreign direct investment.

The failure to convince Samsung is symptomatic of the structural problems plaguing InvestPenang under Lim's stewardship.

These issues, if not addressed urgently, will not only result in failure to attract FDI but also cause existing investors to look for alternative locations.

It is no secret that Penang's new leadership is viewed with suspicion by foreign investors.

Lim's confrontational, ra-ther than conciliatory, attitude towards the Federal Government and his constant haranguing of Putrajaya might win him political popularity and support, but it is scaring away potential and current investors.

His whining about projects being cancelled and Penang being marginalised has sent a negative perception of the state's suitability as an investment location.

It is well known among industry insiders that several large multinationals are planning to either scale down or close their operations in Pe-nang in the coming weeks and months.

I am sure Lim's administration is aware of these companies. It is not too late to convince them by reversing the poor decisions made thus far.

He has to appoint (by open interviews) competent, experienced and non-political professionals to manage investors and attract FDI.

Failure to act would be catastrophic for the economy of Penang.