2014 Chinese New Year Message By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In Komtar, George Town On 29.1.2014.
Penang’s outcome-based model of governance that is centered on competency, accountability and transparency will bring dignity to the rakyat and hope for a brighter future. Penang can be the hope of a new model of governance where moderation is preferred over extremism and performance wins over cronyism.
The state government has relentlessly pursued a transformation of Penang into an international and intelligent city that allows Penang to escape the middle-income trap into a high-income economy as well as ensuring economic equity with balanced development in infrastructure and economic programs, cash aid and creating history as the first state in Malaysia to wipe out poverty. All this is achieved without any price hikes in 2014 by the state government whether in quit rent, assessment, business licenses or water tariffs.
It is critical that we rely not only on savings and cost-cutting but also on generating revenue sources. The state government is moving up the value chain from a budget-based to an outcome-based administration, with emphasis not just on optimizing “value for money” but also on the broad effectiveness in achieving the desired socio-development goals.
Developing and attracting human talent is the critical success factor for Penang. An ecosystem of high quality educational system from primary to tertiary level, good and reliable healthcare as well as a dynamic entertainment, art,culture and heritage center that will allow the best and brightest to live, learn work and play in Penang.
Penang was No.1 in terms of investment in Malaysia from 2010 to August 2013. On the tourism front, we have now two theme parks Escape Theme Park and WWW water theme Park in Batu Ferringhi.
We have finally succeeded in drawing in IKEA to come to Batu Kawan, the first IKEA store outside Kuala Lumpur. A premium retail outlet, the second one in Malaysia after Johor, will also be in Batu Kawan. Batu Kawan will also be the home of universities like KDU and UK’s Hull that will offer courses in law, engineering, logistics, business studies and accounting.
Penang has been voted by Guardian newspaper of United Kingdom as the 8th best tourist destination in the world, the only one from South-East Asia. Penang and Kuala Lumpur is also the 3rd best place to retire in the world. Finally for the first time in history, Penang will make Malaysia proud by hosting the first World Women Squash Championships in Malaysia in March 2014.
In this Year of the Horse, we strive to preach pragmatism that seek practical solutions that can broaden opportunities for the young and seek a stronger presence of women. We are mindful of the fact that there can be no rule of law when justice easily falls victim to power. Any legal system or established set of institutions must be solely devised to protect the rights of citizens and serve ordinary people.
We believe that Penang can prove that social harmony is best achieved through celebrating our differences not depriving or oppressing another’s rights. Let us prove that economic prosperity can best be achieved by giving everyone equal opportunities, integrity in leadership and sustainable development.
LIM GUAN ENG
—-Mandarin Version —–
槟州首席部长林冠英2014 年华人农历新年献词：
槟城所谓能干、公信、透明的宗旨就是以成果型施政模式为槟城人民带来尊严及光明的未来。
槟城所谓能干、公信、透明的宗旨就是以成果型施政模式为槟城人民带来尊严及光明的未来。槟城可以中庸胜过极端主义，表现好过朋党主义的新施政模范带来新的希望。
州政府努力地让槟州转型成为国际及智能城市，让槟城逃离中等收入陷阱，成为高收入经济体，同时也确保经济公平、基建及经济平衡发展、提供现金补助、创造历史成为马来西亚第一个成功除贫的州属。州政府在2014年没有让任何价格上涨，包括租金、商业执照费、门牌税或水费。
我们的任务非常重要，我们不能只是依赖节约及减少成本，我们也要制造收入来源。州政府已经提升价值链，从预算基础行政转移至成果型行政，我们不只强调“物有所值”，我们要在达致社会发展目标方面起着更广的作用。
发展及吸引人才是槟城成功的关键因素。一个拥有从小学到大学的高素质教育体系，良好可靠的医保设施、活力四射的娱乐、艺术、文化及古迹中心，将吸引最优秀的人才前来居住 、学习、工作及休闲。
槟城在2010年至2013年期间，在投资额方面排名第一。旅游业方面，我们在峇都丁宜增添了两个主题公园，它们是ESCAPE世外逃园以及WWW海上乐园。
我们也成功吸引宜家家居来到峇都加湾，成为宜家家居第一个在吉隆坡以外的分行。柔佛州的名牌专卖商场，也将在峇都加湾建立全马第二家。KDU大学学际及英国赫尔大学也将在峇都加湾设立分校，提供法律、工程、物流、商业课程及会计。
槟城也被英国《卫报》投选为世界第8最佳旅游胜地，是东南亚唯一获选的。槟城与吉隆坡都是世界第三最佳退休地。最后，槟城也让马来西亚自豪，我们将在2014年3月首次主办世界女子壁球锦标赛。
在迎接马年，我们应该更务实及脚踏实地的方案，扩大机会给年轻人，及确保能有更大的空间给女性同胞。我们确实认为当正义成为权力的受害者，根本不可能会有法制。任何法制系统所成立的机构，一定只能纯碎为了保护公民权力及为人民服务。
我们深信，槟城能证明，要迈向社会融洽，是通过欢庆我们的多元化，而不是剥夺其他人的基本权力。让我们证明若要落实经济繁荣，就是要给人民平等机会、领袖要塑立诚信及施行永续发展。
林冠英