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Escaping the middle-income trap requires a rise in real wages and high-paying jobs for locals not foreigners.(e/c)

May Day Message by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in Komtar, George Town on 1 May 2014.

For decades, Malaysia has been wallowing in an economic dilemma known as the “middle-income trap”. This term denotes a situation where developing economies that have achieved middle-income status (per capita income of USD1,036 – USD12,516) are unable to compete with, on the one hand, low-cost labour in low-income economies, and on the other hand, innovation-driven productivity of advanced economies.

Therefore, it is critical for Malaysia to escape the middle-income trap and transform into a high-income economy. The Penang state government believes that this objective can be achieved by two ways, which are a rise in real wages and the creation of high-paying jobs for locals and not foreigners.

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PAS Should Remember That UMNO Did Not Lose But Actually Gained Malay Votes In The 2013 General Elections Despite Openly Opposing The Enforcement Of The Hudud Laws.(en/cn)

Press Statement By DAP Secretary-General And MP For Bagan Lim Guan Eng In Kuala Lumpur On 30.4.2014.

I have personally spoken to Parliamentary Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim conveying the DAP top leadership’s anger at the lies spread by PKR National Vice-President Tian Chua that PR and DAP had agreed to PAS implementing hudud only in Kelantan and Terengganu. DAP considers it irresponsible, wrong and unethical for Tian Chua to drag DAP into adopting his stand of supporting PAS in implementing hudud laws within the borders of Kelantan and Terengganu, but not in other parts of Malaysia.

Datuk Seri Anwar had reaffirmed in both his private conversation with me and public statements yesterday that DAP had consistently opposed the implementation of hudud laws on Muslims in Kelantan. PR operates on a consensus basis with all 3 parties in DAP, PKR and PAS having to agree before a policy becomes PR policy. Therefore PAS’ policy of implementing hudud laws on Muslims in Kelantan is not PR policy because of DAP’s firm stand in opposing the implementation of hudud laws has not changed.

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Majlis Menandatangani Perjanjian Pembelian 104 Unit Rumah Kos Rendah Di Taman Sungai Duri Permai(en/cn)

Kenyataan Akhbar Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang Lim Guan Eng Di Komtar, George Town Bagi Majlis Menandatangani Perjanjian Pembelian 104 Unit Rumah Kos Rendah Di Taman Sungai Duri Permai, Sungai Duri, Daerah Seberang Perai Selatan Pada 29.4.2014

Pembelian 104 unit Rumah Kos Rendah di Taman Sungai Duri Permai, Sungai Duri, Daerah SPS merupakan antara inisiatif Kerajaan Negeri untuk memberikan keselesaan dan kesejahteraan kepada rakyat Negeri Pulau Pinang dengan menyediakan lebih banyak rumah kos rendah di bawah Skim Pemilikan Bersama (Shared Ownership Scheme – SOS) kepada golongan yang memerlukan. SOS adalah inisiatif baru yang pertama dilaksanakan di negara ini untuk membantu golongan berpendapatan rendah untuk memiliki rumah pertama mereka sungguhpun menghadapi kesukaran mendapat pinjaman bank mengatasinya dengan bantuan pinjaman kerajaan negeri tanpa faedah.

Pelaksanaan inisiatif ini adalah selaras dengan Bajet 2014 yang telah dibentangkan oleh Kerajaan Negeri. Pembelian ini merupakan usahasama di antara Kerajaan Negeri dengan pemaju projek iaitu Syarikat Asas Dunia Berhad di atas dasar Tanggungjawab Sosial Korporat (Corporate Social Responsibility-CSR) syarikat kepada Kerajaan Negeri dan rakyat di Negeri Pulau Pinang. Kesemua rumah ini akan dijual kepada mereka yang berdaftar dengan Bahagian Perumahan serta memenuhi kriteria yang melayakkan mereka membeli rumah kos rendah ini.

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The DAP Central Executive Committee at its meeting last night unanimously passed the following resolution

Press Statement By DAP Secretary-General And MP For Bagan Lim Guan Eng In Kuala Lumpur On 29.4.2014.

The DAP Central Executive Committee at its meeting last night unanimously passed the following resolution:-

1. Observed a minute’s silence in memory of our beloved National Chairman Sdr Karpal Singh and expressed deepest condolences to his bereaved family and gratitude for his sacrifice and service to the party, people and country.

2. The selection of the DAP candidate for the Bukit Gelugor parliamentary seat will be decided by the DAP 3-man Candidate Selection Committee headed by the DAP Secretary-General and comprising Sdr Tan Kok Wai and Sdr Lim Kit Siang. Even though priority will be given to the candidate list proposed by the Penang DAP State Committee, it is the prerogative of the DAP Candidate Selection Committee to consider other candidates proposed.

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Speech by the Chief Minister of Penang Lim Guan Eng at the Economist Corporate Network talk on 28th April 2014

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. It is my pleasure to address this luncheon in the presence of such highly influential business leaders. I would like to extend my appreciation to Mr Justin Wood and the Economist Corporate Network for putting this together.

Businesses these days grapple with different challenges emanating from fierce competition, technological advances, socio-political changes, the degradation of the environment and unpredictable climate. Whilst these are challenging issues on their own, they are compounded by financial markets volatility induced by the monetary policies in the developed world and the slowdown in the Chinese economy.

So, let me share with you some ideas that Penang is implementing in helping businesses cope.

Firstly, my government believes that the role of the government is to stay out of business. This is because over a long period of time, we can see that the track record of government backed businesses has been dismal if not scandalous, for example Perwaja Steel.

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Datuk Seri Hadi Awang Should Show Proof Because DAP Had Never Agreed To The Implementation Of The Hudud By PAS In Kelantan Before Or After Pakatan Rakyat(PR) Was Established In 2008.(en/cn)

Press Statement By DAP Secretary-General And MP For Bagan Lim Guan Eng In Kuala Lumpur On 27.4.2014.

DAP is surprised by PAS President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s claim that the PR Leadership Council had agreed to PAS’ intention to implement the hudud law in Kelantan. If Abdul Hadi was correctly quoted, then he is wrong and should show proof to back his claim because DAP had never agreed to the implementation of hudud by PAS on Muslims in Kelantan before or after PR was established in 2008.

This is the first time that I have heard that DAP has agreed to PAS implementation of the hudud law on Muslims in Kelantan. DAP top leadership whether Lim Kit Siang or the late Karpal would never have agreed because it is unconstitutional. Abdul Hadi has made an unfortunate mistake and wrong statement. DAP hopes that Abdul Hadi can show proof and if he fails to do so, then a correction should be issued.

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Rehabilitation and revival of Majestic Heights abandoned project will not only benefit the long awaited 370 house buyers of phase 2A but good news to 7,658 applicants who wish to own an affordable house within the North East district(en/cn)

Press Statement by Penang Chief Minister YAB Lim Guan Eng In Majestic Heights Development Site on 27.4.2014

The recently announced rehabilitation and revival of Majestic Heights abandoned project will not only benefit the long awaited 370 house buyers of phase 2A but good news to 7,658 applicants who wish to own an affordable house within the North East district. The Majestic Heights project is the largest abandoned housing scheme in Penang declaring its status as abandoned project on 31 December 2003 and has caused hardship and financial loss to the house buyers over the last 11 years.

After a series of discussion with PLB Land Sdn Bhd, the white knight for the said project, the Penang State Government is looking at not only solving the woes of the long awaited buyers of the Majestic Heights abandoned project but to provide shelter to those who wish to own their first house in the North East district of Penang.

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Najib Tun Razak Should Not Flip-flop But Take Heed And Stick To The Previous BN Government’s Position Under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s That Muslims In Malaysia Are Not Ready For The Implementation Of Hudud.(en/cn)

Press Statement By DAP Secretary-General And MP For Bagan Lim Guan Eng In Kuala Lumpur On 26.4.2014.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s should not flip-flop but take heed and not depart from former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s position that Muslims in Malaysia are not ready for the implementation of hudud. Mahathir is correct in maintaining his stand that it would not be fair to have different penalties between Muslims and non-Muslims for the same offence.

This policy was adopted by Mahathir when he was the Prime Minister from 1981-2003 and he had refused to even meet PAS leaders to discuss the issue. However BN under Najib has now publicly lauded proposals made to implement hudud law and was willing to meet PAS to discuss this.

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Why is Liow Tiong Lai attacking DAP when DAP had openly opposed PAS’ proposed implementation of the hudud law in Kelantan for Muslims but yet dare not attack UMNO for supporting the implementation of the same hudud law?

Press Statement By DAP Secretary-General And MP For Bagan Lim Guan Eng In Kuala Lumpur On 25.4.2014.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s declaration that the BN government had never rejected hudud and had even lauded the proposal made to implement hudud law in the country clearly exposes the lies, hypocrisy and double-standards of MCA. On the one hand, MCA criticises DAP for being responsible for PAS wanting to implement hudud, yet on the other hand MCA dares not criticise UMNO for lauding proposals to implement hudud.

DAP does not support and will vote against any motion or private member bill in Parliament whether from PAS or UMNO, that seeks the implementation of the hudud law, because it is unconstitutional. In contrast, MCA had obediently supported all laws proposed by UMNO without taking into account the views of non-Muslims.

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Sdr Tan Kok Wai Will Be DAP CEC By-election Director Whilst Sdr Chow Kon Yeow Will Be Penang By-Election Director For Bukit Gelugor Parliamentary Seat(en/cn)

Media Statement by Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary-General in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, 24 April 2014:

Sdr Tan Kok Wai Will Be DAP CEC By-election Director Whilst Sdr Chow Kon Yeow Will Be Penang By-Election Director For Bukit Gelugor Parliamentary Seat Vacated Following The Death Of DAP National Chairman, 8-term Member of Parliament and formerly 4-term state assembly man in Kedah and Penang, Sdr Karpal Singh.

Sdr Tan Kok Wai Will Be DAP CEC By-election Director whilst Sdr Chow Kon Yeow will be Penang By-Election Director for Bukit Gelugor Parliamentary seat vacated following the death of DAP National Chairman, 8-term Member of Parliament and formerly 4-term state assembly man in Kedah and Penang, Sdr Karpal Singh. Sdr Tan is the Acting DAP National Chair whilst Sdr Chow is the DAP Penang State Chair and Senior State EXCO member.

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If It Takes Higher Domestic Water Tariffs To Reduce Domestic Water Consumption So That Penang Can Avoid Water Rationing And Succeed In Implementing The RM 2 Billion SPRWS, Then This Has To Be Done.(en/bm/cn)

Press Statement By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In Komtar, George Town On 24.4.2014.

As a people-centric government, the Penang PR state government will take into account the views by the rakyat and NGOs when formulating the water tariff hike as one of the measures to avoid water rationing. This follows public calls not to increase the first band of water tariff of “0-20 m3 at 22 sen/m3” (No change) to reward those who save water.

I have reiterated to Penang Water Supply Corporation(PBAPP) General Manager Jaseni Maidinsa that the water tariff hike must reduce the high water usage in Penang and yet neither overburden the poor nor penalise conscientious water users. After the tariff hike, PBAPP has been directed to ensure that Penang’s domestic tariffs for the first 35,000 litres would still be the lowest in Malaysia.

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The Penang State Government is extremely honoured that an international collaboration between UK’s New Productions Ltd and local company, Biscuit Films Sdn. Bhd. has chosen Penang as the filming location for an international drama series.(en/cn)

STATEMENT BY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG, Y.A.B. LIM GUAN ENG ON THE PROPOSED TV DRAMA SERIES FILMING PROJECT BY NEW PRODUCTIONS LTD., UNITED KINGDOM THROUGH BISCUIT FILMS SDN. BHD. AT CRAG HOTEL AND WOODSIDE BUNGALOW.

The Penang State Government is extremely honoured that an international collaboration between UK’s New Productions Ltd and local company, Biscuit Films Sdn. Bhd. has chosen Penang as the filming location for an international drama series. The drama series, which will be titled ‘Indian Summers’, is a major new ten part British and American television drama series to be filmed on Penang island from late April, 2014. It is also the first international television production to be filmed entirely on location right here in Penang.

Indian Summers tells the story of the final years of British colonial rule in India. Set between the sweeping grandeur of the Himalayas and tea plantations of Northern India, Indian Summers tells the rich and explosive story of the decline of the British Empire and the birth of modern India – seen through both British and Indian eyes.

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Informed PBAPP That “Heads Will Roll” If Water Rationing Is Imposed In Penang And Will Not Agree To A 200-300% Domestic Water Tariff Hike Proposed By NGOs.(en/bm/cn)

Press Statement By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In Komtar, George Town On 22.4.2014.

The Penang state government wishes to assures investors, tourists, the business community and residents unequivocally that the directive of “no water rationing” in Penang is a top priority. Therefore the state government would adopt every measure possible to conserve our water resources, including increasing domestic water tariffs for the first time since 1993, to avoid water rationing.

The statement by Penang Water Supply Corporation(PBAPP) General Manager Jaseni Maidinsa on Sunday that Penang may still face water rationing because of lower than expected rainfall this month is unacceptable. Ir. Jaseni cited three key reasons for this:
· Less rainfall in April 2014 when compared to the past average;
· The level of Sungai Muda and the effective capacities of Penang’s three main dams have not fully “recovered” yet; and
· Penang’s per capita domestic consumption, at 311 l/c/d, is at an all-time high due to the lowest water tariff in Malaysia.

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As DAP does not support the implementation of the hudud, the issue of PR supporting the hudud does not arise.(en/bm/cn)

Press Statement By DAP Secretary-General And MP For Bagan Lim Guan Eng In Kuala Lumpur On 21.4.2014.

Pakatan Rakyat’s common policy platform and 2008 as well as 2013 general election manifesto does not include the implementation of the hudud or the establishment of the Islamic state. This has been agreed to by all the component parties of PAS, PKR and DAP in Pakatan Rakyat.

All the component parties can adhere to their respective objectives within the democratic framework. However focus and priority should be on PR’s common policies that have been agreed to by all 3 parties such as fighting corruption, pursuing good governance establishing rule of law and justice, ensuring that economic prosperity can be shared equitably with the rakyat and not enjoyed only by the cronies.

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The Penang state government wishes to thank the 25,000 Malaysians and Penangites who turned up to pay their last respects during the public funeral of Karpal Singh(en/cn)

Press Statement By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In Komtar, George Town On 21.4.2014.

The Penang state government wishes to thank the 25,000 Malaysians and Penangites who turned up to pay their last respects during the public funeral of DAP National Chairman and MP for Bukit Glugor Karpal Singh organized by the state government at Dewan Sri Pinang yesterday. The mammoth crowd was unexpected. We wish to apologise to all who came from far and near but did not have the opportunity to pay their last respects to Karpal Singh at Dewan Sri Pinang.

We hope that the public can forgive and overlook any shortcomings during the public funeral. The police did not turn up as planned to conduct crowd control outside Dewan Sri Pinang. The state government would conduct a post-mortem to determine the reasons behind the police not turning up as planned and work towards overcoming the weaknesses that may have caused any inconvenience to the public.

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