Speech by The Right Honourable Chief Minister of Penang, Penang Future Foundation Dinner,8 September 2017, Suffolk House
The evening ahead of us marks the State Government’s continuous commitment through the Penang Future Foundation scholarship programme, in providing outstanding and deserving Malaysian students with financial support to pursue their tertiary education locally. As Chairman of the PFF Selection Committee, it is my utmost pleasure to note that PFF continues to make a difference in the lives of its 190 scholars from the 2015 and 2016 batches.
Following the recently completed 2017 Selection Process and the PFF Bootcamp, which was attended by 148 scholars, I foresee more exciting times and programmes lined-up for our scholarship recipients. In 2016, PFF organised a half-day seminar and luncheon for the scholars. In 2017, we progressed to a 2 day-1 night bootcamp held in the last week of August for all scholars to engage with each other. So while the State Government remains grateful for the generous contribution of RM40 million from the Penang Turf Club, we remain in constant search for funding. It is my hope that key industry players will step forward with their generosity and contribute towards making PFF, a sustainable scholarship programme for gifted and deserving students.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In expanding this select community of minds and talents, I have also been informed by the Selection Committee that for the 2017 batch, 29 students have been chosen to receive the Mutiara Scholar award and another 88 students selected for the Penang Scholar award. The introduction of these two distinct scholarship awards marks a departure from PFF’s earlier years but the objective remains the same – to provide assistance for those with poor financial background and to encourage the academic high-flyers to maintain strong academic performance.
Coming from diverse backgrounds and different fields of studies, PFF scholars are expected to be part of the Penang talent pool upon their graduation for one reason – Penang pulls its weight and puts its stamp solely on the strength of its people. Ever mindful of Malaysia’s increasing ‘brain drain’, the State’s ultimate aim lies in transforming Penang into a talent hub. For this purpose, we recognize that the human talent must be appreciated, nurtured and utilized to its fullest potential. Hence, Penang Future Foundation is designed not only to provide our youths with ladders of opportunity and escalators to mobility but also as a bridge that links together, our future leaders and Penang’s continuous, unimpeded progress for years to come.
Ladies & gentlemen,
Penang offers Malaysians a unique window of what Malaysia can be through an administration that practices CAT governance and clean leadership, filled with ideals of serving the people as well as upholding principles that uplift human dignity and values that give equal opportunity to live in prosperity and peace. Penang has recorded annual surpluses since 2008, this new Penang State Government has more than doubled our asset reserves to RM1.8 billion and remarkably reduced our state debts by 90%! We have the lowest debts in the country at RM65 million as compared to debt champion Pahang with RM3.1 billion, Sabah (RM2.8 billion), Kedah (RM2.7 billion), Sarawak (RM2.5 billion) and Kelantan (RM1.4 billion). If there is a gold medal for overall financial performance by a state, Penang would definitely have clinched it!
Such financial successes were achieved despite Penang spending RM3,077 million in infrastructure and development works in Penang since 2008. Such development is the reason why you see a new and livable Penang being transformed before you. We want to do more, to make Penang an international and intelligent city that is clean, green, safe and healthy. We are awaiting for you to return to the island and make Penang your home.
Ladies & gentlemen,
Penang Future Foundation would remain merely as a vision if not for the cohesive support and effort by many parties. Consisting of distinguished individuals, this dinner seeks to recognise the commitment undertaken by the Selection Committee members, as well as the co-interviewers who had taken the time off your busy schedules and supported the State Government in this important initiative. We thank especially the hardworking Secretariat members of the Penang Future Foundation, particularly Ms. Eunice Ch’ng.
Last but not least, I offer my heartiest congratulations to five PFF Scholars present here who have successfully graduated;
(a) Mr. Chin Sie Chian, Bachelor of Science (Computer Studies) with First Class Honours from Northumbria University;
(b) Ms. Lim Shin Yee, Bachelor of Science (Financial Mathematics) with Distinction from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu;
(c) Ms. Theam Xi Jin, Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours from International Medical University Malaysia;
(d) Mr. Wong Wei Kai, Bachelor of Science (Construction Management) with Merit from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman; and
(e) Mr. Yeong You Loong, Bachelor of Optometry with Honours from Segi University.
We are very proud of your achievements. With every opportunity given to you to flourish and grow as capable individuals, I trust you will continue to excel and perform your role in making Penang better.
Thank you.
LIM GUAN ENG
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尊贵的槟州首席部长演讲文稿槟州未来基金会晚宴瑟福屋, 2017年9月8日
尊贵的槟州未来基金会遴选委员会成员 –
1) 拿督斯里那兹里阿利夫
2) 拿督黄丽丝
3) 拿督吕丽莲
4) 拿督Professor Dato’ Lim Koon Ong教授
5) 林金华博士
6) 拿督阮修昌
受邀出席的来宾们。
今晚，让我们一起回顾槟州政府透过槟州未来基金会奖学金计划，为有需要的杰出大马学子提供财务资助，以继续在本地升学。身为槟城未来基金会遴选委员会主席，我很高兴能够在此公布，基金会在过去的2015及2016年两届中，已经成功造福共190名学子。
从刚刚结束的2017年遴选兼激励营中，共有148名学子参与其盛，我预计接下来会有更多更精彩的节目等着奖学金得主。2016年，基金会为学子们举办了半日午餐座谈会。2017年，在刚过去的八月底，我们进一步将活动策划为两天一夜的激励营，让所有学子有机会交流。除了感谢槟城赛马俱乐部慷慨解囊资助RM4000万以外，州政府将继续寻找资金。我希望业界人士能够慷慨解囊，主动出资贡献，帮助基金会继续为符合条件的学子提供奖学金计划。
先生女士们，
在甄选增加及扩展有潜质的人才领域同时，遴选委员会告诉我，2017年共有29名学生获选为珍珠奖学金得主，以及88名学生将获得槟城奖学金。增添这两项对学业的个别荣誉认可，意味着基金会迈入新的篇章，不变的是基金会的初衷，即：为面对经济窘境的学子提供财务援助，并鼓励优秀学生维持卓越学术表现。
这些基金会的受惠学子们，分别来自不同的背景及学术领域，并且将在毕业后成为槟州的人才网络的一份子，这是因为槟州政府对人民所寄予的厚望。面对着马来西亚目前日渐严重的人才流失趋势，槟州矢志要扭转局面，将槟州转化成为一个人才资源枢纽。为此，我们着重人力潜能的认可、培养，并务求尽全力开发其潜能。因此，槟州未来基金会的目标，不只限于协助及提供新生代发展的机会及垫脚石，更希望成为两者之间的桥梁，为未来的领袖人才及持续发展的无限可能铺路。
各位来宾，
透过能干、公正、可靠并清廉的施政方针，槟州希望成为全马人民的窗口，让他们一窥一个以人民权益为本来实践理想，并且推崇人民基本价值与尊严，来创造和谐平安的生活空间是一个怎样的境况。自2008年新政班上位之后，槟州政府的开支盈余已经将其名下资产总额增加超过一倍，达到RM18亿，同时成功递减的债务高达90%！比起全国债务之冠彭亨州的RM31亿、沙巴州（RM28亿）、吉打州（RM27亿）、砂拉越（RM25亿）以及吉兰丹（RM14亿），槟州的债务只有RM6千500万，相对的低许多。如果依照各个州属的财务表现来颁发奖牌的话，那金牌绝对非槟州莫属！
州政府自2008年以来，共花费RM30.77亿 (RM3,077 million)进行基础建设及发展工程的同时，仍然取得上述的财务捷报。也因着这些发展，才有州内今天崭新优质的生活空间。但我们希望能够更进一步，继续将槟州发展成为一个干净、环保、安全及健康的国际性智慧城市。我们期盼槟州发展成为一个人人乐于以之为家的岛城。
先生女士们，
少了各方的紧密合作与支持，槟州未来基金会就不会有今天。借此晚宴之便，在众位尊贵来宾前，我们要向坚持不懈遴选委员会成员，以及在繁忙职务中抽出宝贵时间协同进行面试的人员们致意，感谢你们对州政府的支持与付出。由衷地感谢槟州未来基金会秘书处成员们辛勤的工作，特别是Ms Eunice Ch’ng。
结束之前，我要向到场五位已经成功毕业的槟州未来基金会的奖学金得主，表达由衷的祝贺；
(a) Mr. Chin Sie Chian, 诺桑比亚大学电脑研究科学荣誉学士学位；
(b) Ms. Lim Shin Yee, 登嘉楼马来西亚大学金融数学科学学士优等学位；
(c) Ms. Theam Xi Jin, 马来西亚国际大学医学科药剂系荣誉学士学位；
(d) Mr. Wong Wei Kai, 拉曼大学建筑管理系学士学位；及
(e) Mr. Yeong You Loong, 世纪大学验光学荣誉学士学位。
我们为你们的成就感到骄傲。我相信，在充满激发成长与发展机会的当今社会，各位能够继续尽忠职守并加油，共同为槟州建筑一个更美好的未来。
谢谢。
林冠英