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Poor Quality Of Malaysia’s Education System Is Equally As Big A National Economic Threat As Rising Levels Of Private Household Debt Which Can Derail Vision 2020 Of Transforming Malaysia Into A Developed Country.

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Speech By DAP Secretary-General And MP For Bagan Lim Guan Eng During The Supplementary Budget 2014 In Dewan
Rakyat, Kuala Lumpur On 31.3.3014.

DAP disagrees with the World Bank that the poor quality of Malaysia’s education system is more worrying than the level of debt in its households. Dr Frederico Gil Sander, who is World Bank senior economist for Malaysia, explained that the country’s substandard education system would affect the pool of skilled talent it needs to grow its economy to become a high-income nation, while high household debt is not necessarily a problem if the economy continues to grow and citizens are gainfully employed. Malaysia records the second highest household debt in Asia from 81.1% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2012 to 86.8% of GDP in 2013.

DAP believes that both are equally as big a national economic threat to Malaysia and likely to derail Vision 2020 of transforming Malaysia into a developed economy. High household debt diminishes the quality of life with social records invariably showing that children’s education would be amongst the first to suffer when economic distress strikes. Further our income is not growing quickly enough to provide a discernible improvement in the quality of life and our citizens are not gainfully employed with rising-income jobs.

Labour unions claim that generally during the last decade, productivity rose by 6.7% annually but real wages inched up by just 2.6% each year. The situation in the manufacturing industry is more distressing with real wages of export-oriented industries increasing by 1.9% whilst that of domestic-oriented industries rose by 1.4% after 1997.

Continue reading “Poor Quality Of Malaysia’s Education System Is Equally As Big A National Economic Threat As Rising Levels Of Private Household Debt Which Can Derail Vision 2020 Of Transforming Malaysia Into A Developed Country.”

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Fixing A Toll Rate Of RM 8.50 For Cars On The Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge That Is 21.4% Higher Than The First Penang Bridge Will Not Help To Reduce Congestion At The Traffic Choke Point Of The First Penang Bridge(en/bm/cn)

Press Statement By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In Komtar, George Town On 31.3.2014.

Fixing a toll rate of RM 8.50 for cars using the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah(SAHMS) Bridge that is 21.4% higher than the First Penang Bridge will not help to reduce congestion at the traffic choke point of the First Penang Bridge. Furthermore there is no 20% discount for “Touch and Go” card users from Penang unlike that given for the First Penang Bridge for the RM7 toll rate.(RM5.60 for Penangites)

The Malaysian Highway Authority(MHA) announced that the rate is RM1.70 for motorcycle (Class 0); RM8.50 for cars except taxis and buses (Class 1), RM30.50 for two-axle and six-wheeled vehicles except buses (Class 2), RM70.10 for three-axle or more vehicles except buses (Class 3), RM8.50 for taxis (Class 4) and RM26.20 for buses (Class 5).

Continue reading “Fixing A Toll Rate Of RM 8.50 For Cars On The Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge That Is 21.4% Higher Than The First Penang Bridge Will Not Help To Reduce Congestion At The Traffic Choke Point Of The First Penang Bridge(en/bm/cn)”

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Penang State EXCO Will Decide At Its Weekly Meeting On 2 April 2014 Whether To Follow The Perak State Government In Imposing Water Rationing In Taiping.(en/bm/cn)

Press Statement By Penang Chief Minister And Penang Water Supply Corporation Chairman Lim Guan Eng In Komtar, George Town On 30.3.2014.

Penang State EXCO Will Decide At Its Weekly Meeting On 2 April 2014 Whether To Follow The Perak State Government In Imposing Water Rationing In Taiping.

The Penang state EXCO will decide at our weekly meeting on 2 April 2014 whether to follow the decision of the Perak state government to impose water rationing in Taiping. I was shocked to learn that the Perak state government will embark on water rationing for the first time ever in the wettest town in Peninuslar Malaysia, which is Taiping next week.

Water rationing there is expected to affect some 28,000 of the total 85,000 water account holders here for two Continue reading “Penang State EXCO Will Decide At Its Weekly Meeting On 2 April 2014 Whether To Follow The Perak State Government In Imposing Water Rationing In Taiping.(en/bm/cn)”

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Peguam Negara Mesti Tegas Dalam Menegakkan Undang-undang Dan Bertindak Ke atas Perbuatan Samseng Tanpa Kira Kedudukan Demi Menjaminkan Ketenteraman Awam, Harmoni Kaum Dan Agama Di Pulau Pinang.(bm/cn)

Kenyataan Akhbar Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang Lim Guan Eng Di Komtar, George Town Pada 28.3.2014.

Peguam Negara Mesti Tegas Dalam Menegakkan Undang-undang Dan Bertindak Ke atas Perbuatan Samseng Tanpa Kira Kedudukan Demi Menjaminkan Ketenteraman Awam, Harmoni Kaum Dan Agama Di Pulau Pinang.

Peguam Negara mesti tegas dalam menegakkan undang-undang dan bertindak ke atas perbuatan samseng tanpa kira kedudukan demi menjaminkan ketenteraman awam, harmoni kaum dan agama di Pulau Pinang. Ini adalah berikutan jawapan bertulis pada 25 Mac 2014 oleh Menteri Dalam Negeri Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi di Parlimen bahawa kertas siasatan polis berkaitan peristiwa ini telah dirujuk kepada Timbalan Pendakwaraya.

Sekiranya mereka yang terlibat, termasuk pemimpin UMNO, dilepaskan begitu sahaja tanpa sebarang tindakan dijalankan maka ia akan menggalakkan lebih banyak peristiwa yang tidak diingini sedemikian oleh kumpulan samseng ini untuk terus menggugat keselamatan negara.

Continue reading “Peguam Negara Mesti Tegas Dalam Menegakkan Undang-undang Dan Bertindak Ke atas Perbuatan Samseng Tanpa Kira Kedudukan Demi Menjaminkan Ketenteraman Awam, Harmoni Kaum Dan Agama Di Pulau Pinang.(bm/cn)”

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The Mysterious Privatisation Of Penang Port Under A Restricted Tender Raises Serious Questions Of Public Interest, Accountability And Transparency.(en/cn)

Press Statement By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In Komtar, George Town On 27.3.2014.

The mysterious privatisation of Penang Port under a restricted tender raises serious questions of public interest, accountability and transparency. This follows the revelation in a written answer to my parliamentary question by Minister in the Prime Minister Deparment Dato’ Sri Abdul Wahid Omar that the agreement between the successful bidder Seaport Terminal (Johore) Sdn Bhd was finalised in a supplemental agreement on 23 November 2013.

Unless a full public announcement is made by the Transport Ministry, this privatisation will be seen as just another piratisation exercise similar to the highway toll concessionaires. The refusal of the Transport Ministry so far to make any public clarification of how this privatisation exercise benefits public interest smacks of arrogance, secretiveness and mismanagement which is steeped in the BN ethos of reciprocal favours, patronage and conspiracy.

According to the Minister in the Prime Minister Deparment written reply on 24.3.2014 as attached :-

Continue reading “The Mysterious Privatisation Of Penang Port Under A Restricted Tender Raises Serious Questions Of Public Interest, Accountability And Transparency.(en/cn)”

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Penang International Green Carnival: Be the Solution, ACCT now! -The Low Carbon Diet Monday (The Meatless Monday)

Welcoming Speech by Penang Chief Minister and Chairman of Penang Green Council, Lim Guan Eng during the Press Conference of “Penang International Green Carnival 2014” on 24 March 2014 at KOMTAR:

Penang International Green Carnival: Be the Solution, ACCT now! -The Low Carbon Diet Monday(The Meatless Monday)

Penang Green Council and Penang Save Earth Association (Penang SEA) are jointly organising Penang International Green Carnival 2014 on 13 & 14 September (Sat & Sun), 9am-6pm at Esplanade, Penang. The organizing committee consists of MPPP, MPSP, PBA, GBI, TNB, Penang Institute, Agriculture Department, Forestry Department, Department of Environment, Malaysian Nature Society and Han Chiang High School.
Co-organisers include: ESCAPE, JCI Entrepreneur Metropolitan, JKKK Sungai Emas, JKKK Tanjung Bunga, Pusat Khidmat Parlimen Bayan Baru and Pusat Khidmat DUN Perkampungan Jawi.

Continue reading “Penang International Green Carnival: Be the Solution, ACCT now! -The Low Carbon Diet Monday (The Meatless Monday)”

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DAP Calls Upon Turkey To Uphold Freedom Of Speech And Expression By Withdrawing The Ban On Twitter (en/bm/cn)

Press Statement by DAP Secretary-General and MP for Bagan Lim Guan Eng in Kuala Lumpur on 23 March 2014

DAP Calls Upon Turkey To Uphold Freedom Of Speech And Expression By Withdrawing The Ban On Twitter

In a delusional move that befits a tin-pot dictatorship more than the democracy that the world believes Turkey to be, the Turkish Government moved to block access to popular social media application Twitter.

This high-handed and repressive action came hours after Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan announced his intention to block the social media network, during a campaign rally in Bursa on March 20. According to news reports, Erdogan was quoted as saying “We’ll eradicate Twitter. I don’t care what the international community says. Everyone will witness the power of the Turkish Republic.”

Continue reading “DAP Calls Upon Turkey To Uphold Freedom Of Speech And Expression By Withdrawing The Ban On Twitter (en/bm/cn)”

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Bank Negara Should Reinstate Developer Interest Bearing Scheme(DIBS) And Introduce A Shared Ownership Scheme(SOS) For First-Time Buyers Of Public Housing And Affordable Homes.(en/cn)

Press Statement By DAP Secretary-General And MP For Bagan Lim Guan Eng In Kuala Lumpur On 21.3.2014.

The latest Bank Negara Annual Report 2013 has revealed that Bank Negara is being short-sighted and uncaring at best or irresponsible and unprofessional at worst towards the problem of Malaysia having the second highest level of household debt in Asia. Bank Negara dismissed the rise in the level of household debt in Malaysia from 81.1% of Gross Domestic Product(GDP) in 2012 to 86.8% of GDP in 2013 as not posing any risk to financial stability.

Bank Negara should realise that the reason for is that our income levels are stuck in a “glacial trap” with inflation outpacing wage rises. This has forced many households to rely on credit loans to make ends meet and even resort to loan sharks when they are unable to get loans from financial institutions.

Continue reading “Bank Negara Should Reinstate Developer Interest Bearing Scheme(DIBS) And Introduce A Shared Ownership Scheme(SOS) For First-Time Buyers Of Public Housing And Affordable Homes.(en/cn)”

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PENANG AS A SPORTING CITY – “SIMPLY THE BEST!”(en/cn)

SPEECH BY PENANG CHIEF MINISTER LIM GUAN ENG DURING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 29TH WOMEN’S WORLD SQUASH CHAMPIONSHIP IN Sub-terranean Penang International Convention & Exhibition or SPICE Arena OM 18 MARCH 2014.

Good evening and salam sejahtera.

Good evening distinguished guests, the players we are celebrating and most importantly the wonderful people of Penang gathered here in Sub-terranean Penang International Convention & Exhibition or SPICE Arena.

To all our guests from near and far, Selamat Datang ke Pulau Pinang.

I would like to acknowledge our friends not only from Malaysia but from all over the world – thank you for coming to Penang to witness the 29th edition of the Women’s World Squash Championship. Penang is proud to be organising a world championship for the first time in our history and would like to express our gratitude to the Women Squash Association (WSA) for granting us this honour.
Continue reading “PENANG AS A SPORTING CITY – “SIMPLY THE BEST!”(en/cn)”

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Only Ubah Can Allow Malaysia To Escape The Middle-Income Trap (en/bm/cn)

DAP’s 48th Anniversary Message by DAP Secretary General And MP For Bagan Lim Guan Eng On 18th March 2014 in Kuala Lumpur.

While the nation prays for MH370 in sombre mood, the DAP is not celebrating its 48th anniversary today apart from this note to acknowledge the party has come into existence since 18 March 1966. This day 48 years ago, a group of patriotic Malaysians came together to form the Democratic Action Party to bring forth a Malaysia that is just and fair to all, regardless race, creed and gender.

Right from the beginning, it has been an epic uphill battle fighting an authoritarian regime that not only persecutes our leaders and members but also conduct widespread electoral manipulation in elections that are not free and fair, media restrictions, detention without trial and other forms of repressive measures.

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A Sound Education System With Emphasis On STEM Teaching Of Science, Technology, English and Maths Is Our Lifeboat To The Future.(en/cn)

Opening Speech by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In Wawasan Open University On The Nishimura Lecture Organised By The Penang Institute On 17 March 2014.

A very good afternoon I bid to all of you. It is my pleasure to welcome the esteemed Professor Kiyohiko Nishimura, former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Japan and Dean of the Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo, to Penang. He will be delivering a very important lecture that touches on the lessons from the recent financial crises and its relevance to the future of our region.

Economic uncertainty

The significance of this lecture cannot be over-emphasised, given the looming clouds of economic uncertainties. These uncertainties come from different directions and I shall delve into three main themes.
Firstly, the tapering of quantitative easing by the Fed has commenced, though the pace of tapering may change subject to the robustness of US economic recovery. As we all know, quantitative easing has been an important factor in Asia in the last few years as it allowed extra liquidity to flow into this region. The question is, what will happen when capital leaves? Certainly, there is bound to be an impact on Malaysia.

Continue reading “A Sound Education System With Emphasis On STEM Teaching Of Science, Technology, English and Maths Is Our Lifeboat To The Future.(en/cn)”

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Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail – A Moral Choice For Kajang, Selangor And Malaysia.(en/bm/cn)

Press Statement By DAP Secretary-General And MP For Bagan Lim Guan Eng In Kuala Lumpur On 12.3.2014.

Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail – A Moral Choice For Kajang, Selangor And Malaysia.

Having failed to beat Pakatan Rakyat through the ballot box in the 13th General Election, when the BN lost the popular vote to PR which obtained majority support with 51%, the BN government is pursuing political persecution to defeat PR leaders by dirty means.

In the last week, we have seen two convictions against leading PR leaders whom BN lost repeatedly in the ballot box. Opposition Leader and PR Chief Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim was handed a five-year jail sentence for sodomy or “carnal intercourse against the order of nature,” while DAP National Chairman Karpal Singh, who also happens to be Anwar’s lead defence counsel, was convicted for sedition and fined RM4,000 by the High Court.

Continue reading “Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail – A Moral Choice For Kajang, Selangor And Malaysia.(en/bm/cn)”

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Penang Can Only Win The Future By Investing In Public Infrastructure, Building Human Talent, Sustainable Policies, Reducing Inequality, Good And Clean Governance.(en/cn)

6th Political Tsunami Anniversary Message by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in Komtar, George Town on 7.3.2014.

As we celebrate the political tsunami of 8 March 2008 that ushered in a new era of democratic politics by establishing a two-coalition system in Malaysia, where a change of government is not an imagined possibility but a likely probability, we must not forget that the PR state government’s policies must give priority both to the rakyat and also towards winning the future.

Penang can only win the future for our children by investing in public infrastructure, building human talent, sustainable policies, reducing inequality, good and clean governance. For that reason, Government must also invest and innovate. The government must invest in infrastructure, people, incentives and subsidies.

Continue reading “Penang Can Only Win The Future By Investing In Public Infrastructure, Building Human Talent, Sustainable Policies, Reducing Inequality, Good And Clean Governance.(en/cn)”

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Prime Minister Must Intervene To Protect Women’s Safety From Physical Harm And Dignity By Directing The Police To Punish And Stop Political Gangsters, Who Shamed Malaysia With Language And Conduct Of Violence Against Teresa Kok(en/cn)

2014 DAP Woman’s Day Message By DAP Secretary-General And MP For Bagan Lim Guan Eng In Kuala Lumpur On 7.3.2014.

The Prime Minister must personally direct the Home Ministry and the police to respect women by acting sternly, speedily and relentlessly against political gangsters who recklessly denigrate women with derogatory insults or threaten them not only with violence but choose to carry them out. As Malaysia celebrates International Women’s Day, this important occasion is marred by the violent act in Sama Gagah, Permatang Pauh in Penang when an unidentified man attacked Seputih MP Teresa Kok with an egg after she finished her ceramah.

DAP is dismayed and angered by this attack and strongly condemns those involved whether directly attacking her or indirectly attacking her by offering RM 1,200 to anyone who slapped her. Even though Teresa was uninjured when the egg smashed into her hand, this cowardly attack is unprecedented because of the inaction by the police and the authorities against UMNO supporters who had earlier offered the RM 1,200 bounty.

Continue reading “Prime Minister Must Intervene To Protect Women’s Safety From Physical Harm And Dignity By Directing The Police To Punish And Stop Political Gangsters, Who Shamed Malaysia With Language And Conduct Of Violence Against Teresa Kok(en/cn)”

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The 3rd Link Of The Under Seabed Tunnel Between Gurney Drive And Bagan Ajam Would Not Only Serve As A Development Game-changer and Economic Catalyst For Economic Growth For Seberang Perai Utara(SPU) But Also Reduce Traffic Congestion In Penang Island.(en/cn)

Press Statement By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In Kuala Lumpur On 2.3.2014.

Following the opening of the Penang 2nd Bridge or Sultan Abdul Halim Mua’dzam Shah(SAHMS) Bridge, the BN media has gone into overdrive in asking the Penang state government to abandon the proposed 3rd link of an under-seabed tunnel between Gurney Drive on the island and Bagan Ajam on the mainland. Only 2 flimsy objections were given namely that there is no need for a third link in Penang, now that there are 2 bridges reducing traffic congestion and the issue environmental concerns of building an under-seabed tunnel.

Any basic transportation studies will bear out the premise that for an island, the more links the better in terms of reducing traffic bottlenecks and traffic congestion. Further this under-seabed tunnel is financed partly and is a key element of the Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) for the Phase 2 of the Tanjung Pinang land reclamation project by the E&O group. This 940 acre land reclamation project was approved, concluded and signed by the previous BN state government. At that time, the same BN media did not object to the land reclamation project.

Continue reading “The 3rd Link Of The Under Seabed Tunnel Between Gurney Drive And Bagan Ajam Would Not Only Serve As A Development Game-changer and Economic Catalyst For Economic Growth For Seberang Perai Utara(SPU) But Also Reduce Traffic Congestion In Penang Island.(en/cn)”