mutiara (mixed) dec 2x

Upload: chan-lilian

Post on 04-Apr-2018

220 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    1/28

    buletin

    Competency Accountability Transparenc

    FREE

    December 16 - 31, 2012 Edisi Bahasa Inggeris, Tamil dan Cinahttp:www.facebook.com/buletinmutihttp:www.facebook.com/cmlimguane

    sPICE SUITThrownoUT

    p 13

    STATEChrISTMASoPEn hoUSE

    p 2 p 6

    ATTORNEY-General Tan Sri

    Abdul Gani Patail should not

    only withhold prosecution of

    individuals who have been

    penalised through the Auto-

    mated Enforcement System

    (AES) but also refund all

    monies paid by those who

    settled the summons.

    Nearly 300,000 summons-

    es has been issued since the

    AES 1Malaysia cameras were

    first installed in 14 locations

    on Sept 23 2012.

    More summonses will be

    issued when the remaining817 locations, making up a

    total of 831 throughout the

    country, are installed with the

    cameras over the course of the

    next one year.

    Abdul Ganis suspension

    of prosecuting motorists pe-

    nalised under the AES is a

    vindication of the bold and

    correct decision by the Pen-

    ang state government of being

    the first state in Malaysia to

    bar AES f rom being i n -

    stalled, said Chief Minister

    Lim Guan Eng.

    Even though Abdul Ganitried to soften the huge blow to

    the BN and Federal govern-

    ments credibility by claiming

    that the move stems from public

    concern over the law and other

    technicalities related to the

    system, it is clear that AES has

    lost public credibility.

    There should be no more

    unnecessary delay in putting

    an end to this sordid scheme

    of allowing two crony com-

    panies to profit based on com-

    missions imposed on every

    traffic summons disguised asenforcement to reduce acci-

    dents, Lim added.

    Abdul Gani is legally cor-

    rect that the AES summonses

    issued by the Road Transport

    Department were still valid.

    Transport Minister Datuk

    Seri Kong Cho Ha should step

    in to exercise his powers to

    cancel these RTD summonses

    to atone for his support for

    AES.

    Should Kong not do so, he

    should resign for being iden-

    tified as a discredited sup-porter of AES, to the extent

    of vilifying the Penang state

    government as encouraging

    accidents to happen.

    T h e B N g o v e r n m e n t

    should just not withhold pros-

    ecution of summons under

    the AES but admit that PR

    was right in abolishing the

    AES and refund al l sum-

    monses paid because of pub-

    lic anger at this project, Lim

    said.

    We were right all along

    ESCAPE yoUrwAy To AfUn TIME

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    2/28

    2 December 16 - 31, 2012

    Story by Danny Ooi

    AN old browneld site is now anexciting tourist destination!

    I am pleasantly surprised to see

    an old browneld site being trans-

    formed into an exciting new touristdestination in just 12 months, ChiefMinister Lim Guan Eng told thecrowd at the opening ceremony of

    the ESCAPE Theme Park on Dec8, at Teluk Bahang..

    As some of you may be aware,this theme park was only an idea ofPenang State Government three years

    ago. This location was a former con-

    struction site of the Teluk BahangDam of PBA, left idle since the damscompletion in 1999. Today we wit-ness the completion of the RM200

    million ESCAPEs first milestone

    Adventureplay, Lim said.Lim was accompanied by hiswife Betty Chew and youngest sonduring his visit to the park.

    Also joining them were SimLeisure Group founder and chiefexecutive, Sim Choo Kheng, Pen-

    ang State Assembly speaker DatukAbdul Halim Hussain, State Secre-

    tary Datuk Farizan Darus, PenangWater Works (PBA) director Jaseni

    Maidinsa and Town and Rural Plan-

    ning director Zainuddin Ahamad.Together, with some members of

    the media, the VIPs and assemblymembers tried out the major attrac-

    tions such as the Atans Leap, afreefall adventure with gentle andsecure landing which is a must-try,

    especially for bungee-jumping en-

    thusiasts.The tall tower structure consists

    of three levels of elevated platformsfrom 13m to the highest at 30m.

    Gekko Tower, which is a set

    of climbing towers on which par-

    ticipants can choose their path toreach the top of the obstacle, alsopromises a bucketful of fun.

    Lim said it took quite a lot of

    determination and a high degree ofcreativity to achieve what was seen

    today.In Malaysia were more used tocopying generic concepts of theme

    parks or buy expensive off-the-shelf international brands whereyou only need to have a deeppocket but the RM18 million rstphrase of ESCAPE Adventure-

    play is a unique creation, it hasgrown out of the soil of Penang,where originality has played a more

    important role than just money.The uniqueness of ESCAPE is

    its idea in promoting visitor wellnessand green awareness through fun ina thought-provoking manner. I have

    particularly enjoyed ESCAPEsquirky approach to creating green

    awareness, such as the provocativestatements around the park. Aboutthis, I was fascinated to see the greengrass roof on the recycled buildingsand wondered how the cows got up

    there to graze but then I was told thatgrass roofs cool buildings and helpto absorb rain, he added.

    Lim said he knew Sim had beentrying to build a theme park in Pen-

    ang since 2001.Sad to say, its the usual story

    that everyone knows; his dream ofcoming back to settle down in his

    hometown could never come truebecause he didnt know how our

    system works. So he went back tobuild many more theme parks in theMiddle East and Europe.

    I am proud that this Penangcompany is currently also involved

    in the development of the biggestwaterpark in the world in AbuDhabi - The Yas Island Waterparkand also the Legoland theme park

    in Denmark.

    And now hes backafter the new state gov-

    ernment was formedwhere a businessman

    does not need to knowhow the system worksbecause we practiceclean and good govern-

    ance, he stressed.ESCAPE is set to

    play an ever-increasingrole in drawing visitorsto Penang but the ben-

    et to the island do notend there as it provides

    employment and eco-

    nomic spin-off forTeluk Bahang.

    The theme park currently has 114employees, 80 per cent of whom are

    from Teluk Bahang. It will employmore than 500 employees in the nextve years when other phases arecompleted.

    The town of Teluk Bahang has

    also been transformed, restaurantsand eateries are thriving, taxis aregetting better business.

    Elaborating further, Lim saidAdventureplay is only one of thethree main components of ES-

    CAPE, Waterplay and TreHotel will be realised in 20142016 respectively.

    What we see today is seven acres of the entire 44 acreto be realised, so the Penang touindustry can look forward to exciting moments in the futur

    We believe that ESCAPEput Penang rmly on the toumap, be a favourite spot for land allow our many multi-natcorporations here to organise

    team-building activities.

    ESCAPE to a fun day out

    Some visitors trying out an attraction

    the Theme Park.

    MALAYSIA, though in name afederation, is in practice more akin

    to a unitary state.

    The federal government haspower over areas such as utilities,public transport, public housing,social welfare, education and even

    religion.This has led a few political

    observers to label our country acentralised federation, chiefexecutive ofcer of Penang Insti-

    tute Zairil Khir Johari told par-

    ticipants at the welcoming dinnerorganised by the Forum of Fed-

    erations on Nov 29 at the Eastern& Oriental Hotel in George Town.

    He said: Not only are we acentralised federation, but in fact

    a super-centralised one. This isbecause even within the federalgovernment, power has been in-

    creasingly consolidated under oneofce the prime minister.

    For example, the federal budg-

    et for 2013 reveals an allocationof RM14.6 billion for the Prime

    Ministers Department (PMD),while Penang recently announcedthat the entire state budget for2013 will be RM1.1 billion.

    In other words, the PMD

    employs 43,544 workers (as of

    2010). In contrast, PresidentObama runs the most powerfulofce in the world with 468 staff-

    ers in the White House (as of2012).

    This irrational allocation ofresources is the result of an in-

    creasing centralisation of power.Today, public transport is no

    longer run by the Transport Min-

    istry but in fact by the Land PublicTransport Commission whichfalls under the preview of thePMD. The same goes for publichousing which is now managed

    by the Prime Ministers Depart-

    ment via Perumahan 1Malaysia(PR1MA), even though we havea Housing and Local Government

    Ministry.In total, there are at least 52

    agencies under the Prime Minis-

    ters Department including theAttorney-Generals Chambers,the Election Commission, theEducation Service Commission,

    the Judicial Appointments Com-

    mission, the Department of Statis-

    tics, the Malaysian Anti-Corrup-

    tion Commission and even Parlia-ment. This list does not include

    government-linked companiesdirectly controlled by the Prime

    Minister.There is therefore an urgent

    need to decentralise our system of

    governance in order to rationalisethe distribution of power, Zairilstressed.

    He added it is pertinent to havemore discussion and debate on thisissue, and especially relevant to

    understand and learn from theexperiences of other federationsaround the world.

    Take Indonesia for example.After nearly half a century of au-

    thoritarian dominance, the fall ofSuharto led to a sudden dispersalof authority in what is now beingtermed as big bang decentralisa-tion, Zairil said.

    Meanwhile, Chief MinisterLim Guan Eng said the chosentopic of discussion, Service De-

    livery in Decentralised Systems,is most relevant to Penang and

    Malaysia as we are now headinginto the nal stretch before thenext general election, the result ofwhich will determine if Malaysiawill continue to

    maintain a highly-centralisedstructure of government, or if thispower will be dispersed in a logi-

    cal and balanced manner and -

    nally returned to the people.Malaysia was created from

    the merger of Malaya (comprising

    11 states) with Sabah, Sarawakand Singapore to form a federationthat was designed to respect theseperate histories and traditions of

    each state while taking advantageof the strength of the whole group.

    Historically, there are twocompelling reasons for why thepower structure of the Federation

    of Malaysia is meant to be de-

    volved.Firstly, the preservation of the

    royal houses in the Malay statesand the fact that the Malay rulerscontinue to play important roles

    as the head of the respectives states

    as well as the head of Islam in theirstates. This constitutional role ef-

    fectively guarantees their sover-eignty over matters of culture and

    identity, hence maintaing a cleardistinction from the central author-

    ity.Secondly, our country has

    traditionally had a well established

    decentralised structure. In fact, thevery first democratic electionsheld in Malaya were local govern-

    ment elections, beginning with theGeorge Town Municipal Council

    elections in Penang in 1951. Th

    the earliest political consciousnewas developed and centred

    local democracy, Lim added.He said the spirit of federali

    has eroded over the last 55 yea

    Local government electiowere suspended in 1964 and susequently abolished. Worse, poer was increasingly concentraat the centre, leading to the sta

    losing most of their autonomythe Federal Government.

    Lim said today the federgovernment controls everythifrom housing to utilities, welf

    and to public transport.As a case in point, even b

    routes in Penang are controll

    400 km away in Putrajaya.Summing up his speech, L

    said Malaysia is now at an imptant juncture of its political histo

    The current system has setoo much authority and powaccumulated at the federal lev

    at the expense of the state and locgovernments.

    This has resulted in abusepower, a lack of democratic pticipation and the weakness in t

    public delivery system in tcountry, he stressed.

    Urgent need to decentralise our system of governance

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    3/28

    3December 16 - 31, 2012

    Story by Danny Ooi

    THE new Penang WaterfrontConvention Centre (PWCC),which is expected to open inearly 2017, will be another loca-

    tion of choice for MICE cateringto business visitors.

    This announcement is time-ly especially since the Penanggovernment is actively embrac-

    ing new initiatives that willboost the states economy,Chief Minister Lim Guan Engsaid when witnessing the sign-ing of a collaboration agreement

    between IJM Land Bhd and

    Suntech Penang.PWCC - IJMs RM RM346million centre to be managed bySuntech, will be an addition to

    the RM300 million SubterraneanPenang International Conventionand Exhibition Centre, whichwill be ready by 2015.

    According to the Malaysia

    Convention and Exhibition Bu-reau, the meeting, incentive,conference and exhibition(MICE) sector is drawing bigspenders, with reports of a single

    business visitor in Malaysia

    spending in excess of RM7,000

    per trip, almost triple that spentby leisure visitors, Lim added.

    Malaysias lucrative MICEsector is thriving with interna-

    tional business tourism visitors upby 132 per cent since 2003 andeconomic value of the sector esti-mated at RM17.6billion for 2010.

    Since we took over the state

    administration in March 2008,countless initiatives were imple-mented that catapulted Penang tobeing the nations top state thatraked in the highest investments

    ever in the history of Penang.Clearly all negative talk about

    Penangs economic decline isuntrue when foreign investorsgive such a strong vote of con-dence, Lim added.

    There are currently 14 topknown convention centres inMalaysia but none of them arelocated in Penang.

    Penang is denitely poised to

    benet from the 2 new conven-tion centres - SPICE and PWCCsince these centres will not onlyserve Penang but also IMT-GT

    (Indonesia , Malaysia and Thai-land Growth Triangle).

    The IMT-GT has grown in

    geographic scope and activitiesto encompass more than its

    boundaries.Under the agreement, Singa-

    pores Suntech International willdesign, market and operate theconvention centre, located in

    IJMs the Light waterfront pro-ject along the Tun Dr Lim ChongEu Expressway.

    Meanwhile, IJM Corp BhdCEO and managing director Da-tuk Teh Kean Ming said Suntech

    International has a proven trackrecord as an established globalbusiness network providing an

    all-encompassing portfolio ofmanagement services and opera-

    tional expertise as displayed intheir agship venue - the

    Suntech Singapore Inter-national Convention andExhibition Centre.

    The convention cen-tre will feature a 10,000sq m column-free multipurpose hall that can besubdivided or used as a

    single space for meeting,incentive, conferenceand exhibition (MICE)

    activities, or converted into a

    9,000-seat arena for holdingworld-class concerts.Teh said PWCC will serve

    local businesses and globa

    vestors as a venue for high-exchanges and networkingportunities.

    State-of-the-art conventioncentre coming up

    Story by Chan Lilian

    THE launch of the new Tian SiangPremium Auto BMW 4S centre in

    Butterworth on Dec 1 has been de-scribed by Chief Minister Lim GuanEng as a symbolic milestone for thegrowth of Penang as it demonstratesthe recognition of the growing pros-

    perity of Penangites.Lim, who was at the launch, was

    greeted by Dr. Gerhard Pils, chiefexecutive ofcer of BMW Group,

    Ooi Tian Huat, chairman of TianSiang Group, Tan Ka Kin, managing

    director, Tian Siang Premium Autoand board members.

    Lim, who is also the Member ofParliament for Bagan, said: Just asBMW celebrates a new beginning

    today, Butterworth and Bagan cele-brate a new beginning for the rst

    time in 50 years. We all can learnfrom BMWs vision of uniquenessthrough diversity, and emphasis of

    excellence.The guests at the event were en-

    lightened when Lim told them: Inthe last four years, Penang has goneon to become one of the most suc-

    cessful states in Malaysia. We arenow the most livable city in Malay-sia, rst achieved in 2010 and aspire

    to be an international and intelligentcity. To take advantage of economic

    opportunities available, Penangneeds to grow, build, retain and at-tract human talent.

    He continued: In 2010, Penangtopped investment in Malaysia withinows of RM12.2 billion and re-

    peated that feat in 2011 with a toof RM9.1 billion, contributing 28

    cent of Malaysias foreign direct vestments (FDI) in 2010 and 201

    Credit should be given to people of Penang, for this succand making the city livable. Tmeans having all the necessary s

    port and services in place, keepcrime low, providing convenient affordable public transportation,

    fordable housing, employment, quity of life. In short, making Pena

    cleaner, greener, safer and healthieThere are more than 700 com

    nies operating in the industrial pain Penang alone and the numbegrowing.

    The state is also fast gaining rognition for being a hub for heaand wellness, professional servisuch as Business Process Outsouing and Shared Services Outsourc

    and medical tourism, to name a feFrom a luxury car dealers p

    spective, there are plenty of opptunities in which to tap the poten

    customer.It is thus my hope that we wcome to appreciate and value ongoing efforts of BMW GroMalaysia in leading the automotindustry towards better, cleaner pr

    tices as outlined through its gloBMW EfcientDynamics strateg

    am condent that these impro

    ments will in turn strengthen Malsias economic growth and pl

    Malaysia as a strong and competitplayer in the regional and gloautomotive industries, Lim said

    Growing prosperity of Penangites

    Story by Evelyn Joseph

    Pix by Chan Lilian

    FOR the first time, Penang hasbeen proposed to join the Climateand Clean Air Coalition (CCAC),an ally of the United Nations En-

    vironment Programme (UNEP) tosolve the problem of environmen-tal crisis.

    We are also very serious onenvironment issues. We have fully

    subscribed to the United NationsEarth Summit Rio Declaration on

    Environment and Development inRio de Janerio, said Chief Minister Lim GuanEng during the opening ceremony of Review and

    Planning Workshop on Eco Town held at CititelHotel on Dec 11-13.

    Malaysia was a signatory to the declarationin 1992.

    Penang has taken action to commit towardsindustrial clustering and taken a proactive ap-

    proach to make the city environmentallyfriendly, provide an excellent opportunity for theproject to guide industrial growth in an environ-mentally sound manner (using the eco townconcept) and encouraging efcient use of re-

    sources, waste minimization and exchange be-tween industries.During the closing ceremony on Dec 13, state

    exco for local government and trafc manage-ment Chow Kon Yeow said he believes thisworkshop will help in environmental manage-ment, pollution issues and more importantlybetter efforts to go green.

    Penang hopes this scope for the Eco-townwill not only cover green town planning andintegrated waste management but also ex-panded to encompass the practice of 3Rs, greenpurchasing, efcient use and conservation of

    natural resources and air emission controls.

    Penang set to join CCAC

    Girl Guides in green holding banners on go greento welcome the public to the Review and PlanningWorkshop on Eco Town.

    Lim (second from right) with other VIPs posing for a group

    photograph after the IJM /Suntech signing ceremony.

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    4/28

    4 December 16 - 31, 2012

    Story byEvelyn JosephPix by Poh Guek

    THE Penang Womens Development Corporation received a boost re-cently when the state government allocated a total of RM2.3 million

    towards womens development.Of this amount, RM1.5 million is continued funding of PWDC to

    indicate the important work it does towards gender mainstreaming, goodgovernance and social status.

    PWDC is a state funded organisation set up with a vision towards

    empowering women in all sectors in order to achieve gender and socialjustice.

    PWDC is managed by a 12-member board directors chaired by thePenang State exco for Women, Family and Community Development.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony of the PWDC ofce on Dec 12,

    Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said: I dare say that PWDC was built

    on the back of civil society, with the support of a state government thatis progressive and inclusive in outlook and approach.On behalf of the Penang state government, I recognise in particular

    the contribution of dedicated women activists such as Lydia Ong Kok

    Fooi, exco of the board of directors of PWDC, Chong Eng, Dr CeciliaNg, Loh Cheng Kooi, Prof Datin Dr Rashidah Shud, Dr Marina Davidand many more who have given so much of themselves over the years.

    PWDC aims to ensure the transformation of Penang based on prin-ciples of substantive equality and good governance.

    New office for Penang WomensDevelopment Corporation

    PWDC new ofce is at Level 47, Komtar.

    ANOTHER case of an Indonesian maid being allegedly raped bypolicemen in Penang on Dec 8 has been reported.

    Lydia Ong Kok Fooi, state exco and chairman of the Board of

    Directors of Penang Womens Development Corporation, said shereceived a call from a lawyer friend, Teoh Tai Eak, that the casehappened in Bukit Mertajam and she was asked to help.

    I called assemblymember Teh Yee Cheu and state exco PheeBoon Poh to look into the matter because I was out of state said

    Ong.I am doing this case because it is something serious. As an exco

    member, I have the responsibility.She hopes no one will jump to any conclusion and that police will

    conduct a thorough investigation.

    Another maid rape reported

    Ong (right) and Teoh going through the case articles during herpress conerence.

    It is wheat harvesting season in Taiwan! (From let) Exco member Law Choo Kiang,Deputy Chie Minister 1 Datuk Mansor Othman and exco member Lydia Ong Kok Fooivisited wheat felds in Taiwan during a working trip. Ong said: I grew up in the kampuand so did Datuk Mansor. We ound it so relaxing to be back here in the countryside.During his childhood, Law helped in their amily vegetable business and he also love thkampung liestyle . Law is the exco member or Agriculture and Agro-based Industry,Rural Development and Flood Mitigation while Ong is in charge o Youth and Sports anWomen, Family and Community.

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    5/28

    5December 16 - 31, 2012

    Story by Danny Ooi

    MORE than 1,000 employees ofHotayi Electronics (M) Sdn Bhdhad a gala time being feted to

    sumptuous food and an evening ofentertainment at their 20th anni-versary dinner held at Hotel Equa-torial on Dec 1.

    Among the highlights of theevening included performancesby employees and a display byyoung budding violinist RinaKoay.

    During the function, the com-pany also made a CSR contribu-tion of RM200,000 towards theBuddhist Tzu-Chi Merits Soci-ety of Malaysia.

    Chief Minister Lim Guan Enggraced the function. Also present

    were chairman of Hotayi Elec-tronics (M) Sdn Bhd, Datuk LeeHung Lung, its general managerGoh Guek Eng and chief execu-tive ofcer of Phison ElectronicsCorp, Datuk Pua Khein-Seng.

    In his speech, Lim said Ho-tayis presence in Penang clearlyconveys the managements con-fidence towards Penangsstrength in the manufacturingsector.

    Hotayi has experienced highgrowth and has been present inPenang for the past 20 years. Thestate has also been the choice oflocation for many other electron-

    ics manufacturing companies,like Flextronics, Jabil Circuits,Venture Manufacturing and Inarito name a few, he added.

    He said according to Electron-ics. Ca Publications (June 2012),the worldwide electronics manu-facturing services (EMS) marketcontinued to expand at a veryhealthy rate of nearly 13 per centin 2011.

    The report also stated thatthe total electronics assemblyvalue was US$1.1 trillion(about RM3.5 trillion) in 2011,and will grow to approximately

    US$1.5 trillon in 2016 a 6.8per cent compounded annualgrowth rate.

    Fuelled by this huge market,Electronics. Ca Publications be-lieve that the EMS industry willgrow from US$413 billion in2011 to US$654 billion in 2016.

    Lim went on to highlight someof Penangs proudest achieve-ments to date, namely:

    * Penang is top for manufac-

    turing investment for 2011 withRM9.1 billion recorded. This hasmade Penang the No. 1 two yearsin a row since 2010 when it re-corded RM12.2 billion. The state

    contributed 30 per cent of Ma-laysias Foreign Direct Invest-ment during those two years. B.Braun has announced that theywill be reinvesting RM1.75 bil-lion in Penang over the next threeyears while Agilent will be in-vesting US$200 million in 2013.

    * In a global economy lledwith debt crisis, Penang recordeda remarkable achievement ofreducing its debts by 95 per cent

    from RM630 million in March2008 to RM30 million at the endof 2011.

    * Penang is also the safeststate in Malaysia with the highest

    reduction of 27 per cent in crimeindex in the country among allstates in 2010 and topped thecountry again for the first sixmonths of this year with crimereduction of 26 per cent.

    * Penang state governmentscompetency, accountability andtransparency (CAT) governancefor anti-corruption efforts re-ceived commendation of Trans-parency International in 2010,

    and earned the distinctiobeing the best nancially maged state in the country for consecutive years by the AudGeneral.

    * The state governmenimplemented key approachreduce trafc congestion winclude:

    a) The construction oundersea tunnel and three mroad constructions which cost the state government R8 billion and is currently tendout via open tender.

    b) Short-term measurmitigate trafc congestioPenang involving yoverroad constructions around JGottlieb, Jalan Masjid NeAir Itam, Jalan Scotland

    Tanjong Tokong will cosPenang Island Municipal Ccil (MPPP) RM60 millionthese short-term measuresbe completed in three yea

    In conclusion, Lim conglated Hotayi Electronics forebrating its 20th anniversar

    I am condent Hotayicontinue to break new grand secure bigger businessyears to come.

    Hotayis presence shows condence in Penang

    Hotayi Electronics employees having a gala time at theiranniversary-do.

    CHIEF Minister Lim Guan Eng in his keynote

    address at the 7th Asia Pacic Ecotourism Con-ference (Apeco 2012) held at Eastin Hotel onNov 29, emphasised the importance of sustain-able eco-tourism and the need to maintain a nebalance between the development of the tourismindustry in Penang as well as the preservation ofthe ecosystem.

    We want our visitors to not only visit ourbeaches, pagoda, Penang Road, but also to wade

    knee-deep in our padi elds and toil with thefarmers on how to plant, cultivate and harvestthe rice, while paying for the experience.

    We want the tourist to learn how to cast theshing net and support the way of life of the

    shermen.Besides this, we also want the tourist to learn

    how to pick fruits, feed our farm animals or stayin our farms or even homestays.Eco-tourism sites in Penang include the

    Meromictic Lake, the Jerejak Jungle Trail, Pen-ang Hill, War Museum, the Tropical Fruit Farmas well as the Penang National Park, Lim said.

    Meanwhile, president of the Malaysian As-sociation of Tour and Travel Agencies (MATTA)Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun said MATTA hadurged the Tourism Ministry to review the ap-proval given to foreign tour operators to conductbusiness in the country.

    The inux has affected local tour operators.More licences are being issued to the foreign

    operators. This has resulted in local operators

    losing out.Maybe at the time of the implementation

    many years ago, the initiative was important topromote our tourism industry, he said.

    We want to know the licensing criteria forthe foreign operators. At the same time, wewould like to appeal to the ministry to recon-sider the legalisation of 100 per cent ownedforeign tour companies, Mohd Khalid said.

    Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Dr JamesDawos Mamit told the conference that the tour-ism industry in the country was expected to growby 24 per cent this year.

    He said the ministry was expecting the ar-rival of 26 million foreign tourists this yearcompared to 24.7 million last year.

    An income of over RM60 billion is ex-pected to be derived this year as compared toRM58.3 billion last year.

    We are targeting the arrival of 36 millionforeign tourists for 2020. This will bring in anincome of RM168 billion, he said.

    The three-day conference from Nov 28 to 30,

    themed Back to Mother Nature, is aimed athelping to market a sustainable eco-tourism sec-tor for the tourism industry.

    Organised by MATTA, Apeco is held in linewith the growing awareness of the need forconservation and sustainable development,particularly in East Malaysia.

    Taking eco-tourism to higher level

    SOME 750 people have signed up for the City Walk 1.1.13 which willheld in George Town on Jan 1.

    Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) Recreation, Tourism and ternational Affairs director

    Mohamed Akbar Mustapha said the council was targeting 3,000 partipants for the event.

    The 5km walk would be agged off from the Queen Victoria Memrial Clock Tower in Pesara King Edward at 8am.Participants would have the opportunity to visit numerous heritage si

    in George Town along the route, he said.The walk is open to those aged 12 and above. However, those below

    can also take part under the supervision of their parents.Akbar said there will also be cultural and band performances.The event is jointly organised by MPPP and the Penang Adventure

    Club. The participation fee is RM5 per person.Closing date is on Dec 10 or when the targeted 3,000 participation g

    is reached.Registration forms are available for download at http://pac.com.my.

    For details, call Shariff at 016-4555939 (9am to 5pm) or Ong at 04532704 (5pm to 9pm).

    Some 1,000 people expected for City Walk 1.1.13

    Mohamed Akbar Mustapha (second from left) and other City Walk 1.1.1organising committee members showing the information and entry fo

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    6/28

    6 December 16 - 31, 2012

    Story by Chan Lilian

    Pix by Law Suun Ting

    WITH Christmas carols ringing

    in the air and youths performing

    energetic and modern dances,

    Penangites, visitors from other

    states of Malaysia and foreign

    tourists thronged the Fort Corn-

    wallis to share in the merriment

    of the Penang State Christmas

    Open House with the theme,

    Jesus, Hope of the World.

    Earlier in the evening, rain had

    caused guests to seek shelter

    under tents and umbrellas.But amazingly, when Bishop

    Emeritus Antony Selvanayagam

    of the Roman Cath-

    olic Church, who is

    also the chairman

    of the Christian

    Federation of Ma-

    laysia (Penang),

    delivered his open-

    ing speech, the

    skies cleared.

    He described it

    as the showers of

    blessings.

    By the t ime

    Chief Minister Lim

    Guan Eng was to deliver hisspeech, the rain stopped and

    thousands of people gathered

    around the stage to cheer and

    clap.

    The multi-racial crowd lis-

    tened attentively as he shared

    some verses from the Bible.

    He said, This years theme is

    Jesus, Hope of the World. I be-

    lieve the theme is timely and

    appropriate since Christmas is a

    week away. Jesus was born into

    the world to bring hope to a world

    that is in darkness because of sin.

    Sin that separates man from

    God and also man from man. In

    John 10:10, Jesus says that - The

    thief comes to steal and kill and

    destroy; I have come that they

    may have life, and have it to the

    full.

    He continued: God wants togive us abundant life, to enjoy a

    relationship with Him as He is a

    God of love. Sin has

    corrupted mankind

    in many ways, Ro-

    mans 1:29 - They

    have become lled

    with every kind of

    wickedness, evil,

    greed and depravity.

    They are full of

    envy, murder, strife,

    deceit and malice.

    They are gossips,

    slanders, God hat-

    ers, insolent, arro-

    gant and boastful, they inventways of doing evil; they disobey

    their parents, they are senseless,

    faithless, heartless, ruthless.

    Because of this, God desires

    mankind to be restored back to

    Him. God is looking for faithful

    men who will follow the footsteps

    of Jesus, who will make a stand

    against ungodliness and corrup-

    tion, because Proverbs 28: 28,

    says -When the wicked rise to

    power, people go into hiding, but

    when the wicked perish, the right-

    eous thrive.

    Buletin Mutiara talked to a few

    church leaders to nd out what is

    the desired message the Christian

    community wishes to share with

    the rest of the people.

    Bishop Sebastian Francis said:

    Jesus brings peace, goodwill,

    unity and love to the world.Christ is universal and embrace

    all humankind.

    Meanwhile Pastor N. Suren-

    dran said the message to the

    community is that Christians are

    gifts to the community and they

    want to bless them and celebrate

    together.

    Pastor Hwa Jen shared that

    Christmas celebration is to con-

    vey to the community that every-

    one can come together and to

    know each other.

    God loves everybody, Pastor

    Hwa Jen said.

    Guests were treated to some

    great food and drinks while en-

    tertaining themselves with the

    performances by various church

    groups.

    A Christmas Musical Act titled

    God Speaking by the Cathedralof the Holy Spirit told a story of

    modern people rushing about do-

    ing their Christmas shopping and

    yet, longing for God.

    Another show by St Annes

    Church captured the attention of

    the audience with the appear

    of St Nicholas who looks

    Santa Claus. Choirs from

    George Town Baptist Church

    other churches made the Ch

    mas mood alive with Joy to

    World and other classic hym

    This is the fth year the

    ang Pakatan Rakyat state gov

    ment has hosted a State Chris

    Open House.

    Lim, in ending his spe

    said: We thank God for ou

    loved country Malaysia, ou

    loved State and we pray th

    its citizens, Christians and Christians all pursue unity,

    tiracial solidarity and peac

    harmony for all regardless of

    and religion and that the free

    of religion shall always be

    served.

    Showers of blessingat Christmas open house

    The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit presented a musical act God Speaking which tells a story of

    modern people rushing about doing their Christmas shopping and yet, longing for God.

    Story by Chan Lilian

    Pix by Law Suun Ting

    THE sufferings of the people of Gaza has hit

    headlines and their cries have not gone unheard.

    The Penang state government, under thePenang State Secretary Datuk Farizan Darus,

    had taken the initiative to kick-start a fund for

    Gaza and successfully collected RM72,480.00.

    The amount was handed over on Dec 19 to

    the chairman of the Palestine Peace Council,

    Hamidi Abu Hassan, at Komtar.

    Before the handover, civil servants spent an

    afternoon to understand the plight of the people

    in Gaza.

    Ustaz Shaharuzzaman Bistaman, who is a

    Palestine peace negotiator, showed them video

    clips and explained the Palestinian issue.

    Many of the civil servants shed tears after

    watching the videos of the sufferings of the

    women and children there.

    Farizan commended the people who had

    contributed to the fund and hoped they will

    continue to contribute.

    You are all getting your bonus and salaryand I hope you will continue to contribute gen-

    erously to help the people in Gaza. Although

    the money collected so far has been handed to

    the Palestine Peace Council, we will continue

    to collect funds and you can all continue to

    contribute.

    Several government agencies department

    heads such as Penang Development Corpora-

    tion, Penang Hill Corporation, Land Ofce,

    Penang State Library and others handed over

    their contributions to Farizan to be given to the

    peace council.

    The contribution is tax-exempted.

    Civil servants respond to Gaza

    (From left) Ustaz Shaharuzzaman Bistaman, Hamidi and Farizanexchanging souvenirs after the event.

    Reverend Hwa Jen said,God loves everybody!

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    7/28

    7December 16 - 31, 2012

    Story and pix by Chan Lilian

    BACK in the 1980s, long beforethe Penang Island Municipal

    Council (MPPP) imposed guide-lines for the infrastructure of newtownships, a developer had ear-marked a piece of land measuringtwo acres to build a wet market

    and hawker centre for their pro-jects.

    At that time, we had alreadyplanned the amenities for theneighbourhood. However, we

    didnt develop the place untilnow because the low-mediumcost housings projects were onlycompleted recently. We are do-ing this as part of our corporate

    social responsibility, Chan Fock

    Seng, managing director ofChong Company told BuletinMutiara.

    Chan and his consultant, ar-

    chitect Lawrence Loh, were atthe Kompleks Sri Aman whenexco member Chow Kon Yeowvisited the place on Dec 14.

    Loh said: There are over

    1,000 units of low and medium-cost ats in this area. This com-plex is part of the bigger master-plan. Back in the 1980s, no de-velopers had thought of this but

    we allocated the land for this.Thats why today, we have ad hoc

    wet markets in the open, illegalhawkers and all the unhygienic

    places because there was no zon-ing and proper ruling and regula-

    tions.Loh pointed out to Buletin

    Mutiara the special feature of the

    complex where the ceiling isexceptionally high which allowsfor natural lighting without theneed for lights during the day.

    These passive green designs

    will reduce the carbon footprint.If we have amenities for thepeople in the neighbourhood, itwill also reduce trafc conges-tion as people do not need to

    travel far to reach places likemarkets and hawker centres,Loh added.

    On Dec 14, exco memberChow Kon Yeow visited thenewly-opened Kompleks Sri

    Aman with assemblymember forPaya Terubong Yeoh Soon Hinand several MPPP councillors.

    Chow, in commending thedeveloper, said: This is a sig-nicant effort by a private com-pany. They have spent RM4.8million in this private schemewhich does not include the costof the two-acre land. As the

    population grows, we must pro-vide the amenities for the com-munity.

    T h e

    KompleksSri Amanhas a build

    up area of33,000 sq ft

    and houses143 marketstalls and 40h a w k e rstalls. Four

    parking lotsfor the disa-b l e d a n d100 parkingb a y s a r e

    provided to-gether with135 motor-cycle park-

    ing spaces.What makes the Kompleks SriAman stand out is the high ceil-ing with natural ventilation andskylight. It is clean and dry asthe developer has provided cen-

    tralized washing bay, recyclingarea and proper rubbish disposalplace.

    Chan concluded that theircompany is happy that they havefullled their responsibility of

    providing over 1,000 low andmedium-cost housing to the peo-ple which were sold for aboutRM72,000 - RM75,000.

    Developer fulls CSR

    (From left) Yeoh, Loh, Chan and Chow giving the thumbs-up to the new market ahawker complex.

    The special fea

    of the KomplekAman market

    hawker centthe high ceiling

    natural ventilaand skyl

    Story and pix by Chan Lilian

    BEING the assemblymember for one ofthe most densely populated areas in Pen-ang is certainly not a walk in the park.

    Ask Yeoh Soon Hin, the assembly-

    member of Paya Terubong, and he willtell you the host of problems the con-stituency faces.

    Yeoh, a rst-term assemblymember,

    has an uphill task to tackle.There are 300 blocks of ats, many

    of them low-cost, in this area. Trafc

    jams is the biggest problem to solve. Dueto the lack of planning by the previousBarisan Nasional administration, there is

    no proper infrastructure. Markets, parks,roads and other facilities for the benet

    and comfort of the people are sorely lack-ing, Yeoh lamented.

    There is also a lack of good manage-ment by the residents association andthose living in the high-rise ats. Some

    housing areas lack maintenance due tothe lack of stringent rules and regulationsimposed upon them previously. Some ofthe low-cost ats are used by foreign

    workers, he said.A drive around the low-cost ats will

    show the area to be rather depressing.Many of the blocks are in dire need of

    a new coat of paint.

    Rubbish chutes are damaged and cer-tain areas are an eye sore due to thehaphazard manner in which illegal tinystalls are erected.

    Yeoh and his service centre helpers are

    doing their best to deal with the problems.Some of the ats have applied for the

    Yes! HAPPY ( Housing Assisted Pro-

    gramme of Penang) allocation to havetheir ats repainted and repaired.

    HAPPY! is a RM50 million allocationby the Penang Pakatan Rakyat StateGovernment to repair, upgrade and reno-vate low and medium-cost ats.

    The Federal Government has set up a

    fund of RM500 million for low and me-dium-cost housing schemes by offeringto fund 90 per cent of the low-cost ats

    upgrading and repairs while the residentsbear the rest.

    For medium-cost ats, the percentage

    is 70 and 30.

    Unfortunately, such efforts failed be-cause most residents of low and medium-cost ats cannot afford to pay the 10 per

    cent and 30 cent respectively.

    So, the Penang state government willbear the costs for the residents.

    The state government will fund up toRM50 million to repair, upgrade andrenovate the low and medium-cost ats.

    Residents associations have beenurged to apply for the funding from theFederal government immediately so thatthey can have the repairs done and Yeoh

    is helping them in this area.As an assemblymember who has totackle trafc congestion in his area, Yeoh

    is working closely with the local authori-ties to have the roads widened.

    Now new housing projects have to

    provide wider roads with four lanes.Previously, during the old Barisan Na-sional administration, many of the pro-jects were carried out without properplanning to provide good roads. Hence,the trafc congestion is severe. I also

    hope the Federal government will dosomething about the public transporta-

    tion. Where are the extra buses promisedThe people here need good public trans

    portation.Yeoh summed up that times hav

    changed.Nowadays with the increase in income

    people want a better quality of life. The

    needs are different, they want more afordable housing with proper infrastruture.

    State reps heavy duties

    Yeoh on his rounds in Paya Terubong

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    8/28

    8

    PEGAWAI PENYELARAS KADUN No Tel/ No Faks

    PENAGAHj Rosidi Bin [email protected] 800

    (T) 04 - 575 6577(F) 04 - 575 8578

    BERTAMAsrol Sani Bin Abdul [email protected]

    (T) 013 - 580 6981

    PINANG TUNGGALMuhasdey [email protected]

    (T) 019-437 2887

    PERMATANG BERANGAN

    Arshad Bin Md [email protected] (T) 019 - 510 2633

    SUNGAI DUAZahadi [email protected]

    (T) 019 - 507 3828

    TELOK AIR TAWARSalehin [email protected]

    (T) 017- 427 1581

    SEBERANG JAYAAbdul Jalil Che [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 390 5109013 - 489 3227

    (F) 04 - 538 1460

    SUNGAI ACHEHHj Mohd Kamil Bin Abu [email protected]

    (T) 012 - 4735774(F) 04 - 582 7648

    BAYAN LEPASAsnah Binti [email protected]

    (T) 019 - 472 695604 - 6588152

    PULAU BETONGHj Mohd Tuah Bin [email protected]

    (T) 019 - 570 9500(F) 04 - 866 8618

    TELUK BAHANGHalil Sabri [email protected]

    (T) 016-400 6462

    Nama ADUN No Tel/ No Faks

    AIR PUTIHYAB Tuan Lim Guan [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 829 0614

    PENANTIYB Dato Mansor [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 522 1463(F) 04 - 522 1463

    PERAIYB Prof. Dr. P. Ramasamy a/[email protected]

    (T) 04 - 650 5134(F) 04 - 261 8715

    PADANG KOTAYB Chow Kon [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 226 0218(F) 04 - 228 8514

    BATU MAUNGYB Dato Abdul Malik Abul [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 626 1968(F) 04 - 626 5496

    BAGAN JERMALYB Lim Hock [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 331 7175(F) 04 - 331 7175

    BATU LANCHANGYB Law Heng [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 282 6419(F) 04 - 282 6419

    SUNGAI PUYUYB Phee Boon [email protected];[email protected]

    (T) 04 - 262 0860012 - 480 5495

    (F) 04 - 261 8745

    BUKIT TAMBUNYB Law Choo [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 588 0818(F) 04 - 588 0885

    AIR ITAMYB Wong Hon [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 828 0926(F) 04 - 828 0926

    BERAPIT

    YB Ong Kok [email protected] (T) 04 - 530 8476

    DATO KERAMATYB Jagdeep Singh [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 226 2464(F) 04 - 227 2464

    PANTAI JEREJAKYB Sim Tze [email protected]

    (T) 019 - 443 2088(F) 04 - 641 3088

    MACHANG BUBOKYB Dato Tan Hock [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 552 1366(F) 04 - 552 1366

    TANJONG BUNGAHYB Teh Yee [email protected]

    (T) 017 - 472 9990(F) 04 - 228 8514

    JAWIYB Tan Beng [email protected]

    (T)04 - 598 1877(F)04 - 598 1877

    PENGKALAN KOTAYB Keng [email protected]

    (T)04 - 250 152104 - 2501522

    (F)04 - 2501523

    BAGAN DALAMYB Tanaseharan a/l Autheraphy

    [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 538 1162

    (F) 04 - 537 1163

    KEBUN BUNGAYB Ong Khan [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 818 2008(F) 04 - 818 2008

    SUNGAI BAKAPYB Hj. Maktar Hj. [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 582 7549(F) 04 - 582 8648

    KOMTARYB Ng Wei [email protected];[email protected]

    (T) 04 - 227 0215(F) 04 - 227 8215

    PADANG LALANGYB Tan Cheong [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 502 5071(F)04 - 508 9711

    PAYA TERUBONGYB Yeoh Soo [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 229 2105(F) 04 - 226 2550

    PULAU TIKUSYB Koay Teng [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 226 3227(F) 04 - 226 3227

    PERMATANG PASIR

    YB Dato Hj. Salleh [email protected] (T) 04 - 398 4226(F) 04 - 398 4226

    BUKIT TENGAHYB Ong Chin [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 508 3977(F) 04 - 508 3677

    SUNGAI PINANGYB Koid Teng [email protected]

    (T)010 - 464 3308(F) 04 - 282 8322

    BATU UBANYB Raveentharan a/l Subramaniam

    [email protected]@gmail.com

    (T) 04 - 659 6007(F) 04 - 658 6007

    04 - 2628188

    SERI DELIMAYB Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer a/l [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 659 5611(F) 04 - 659 5611

    DAP PENANG [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 228 848204 - 227 139704 - 226 6482

    (F) 04 - 228 8514

    NAMA ADUN No Tel/ No Faks

    PENAGAYB Dato Haji Azhar Ibrahim (T) 04 - 310 3100

    (F) 04 - 323 8017

    BERTAMYB Hajah Zabariah Wahab (T) 04 - 575 8670

    PINANG TUNGGALYB Dato Haji Roslan Saidin

    PERMATANG BERANGANYB Haji Shabudin Yahya (T) 04 - 573 4630

    (F) 04 -570 1997

    SUNGAI DUAYB Dato Haji Jasmin Mohamed (T) 04 - 575 7454

    TELOK AIR TAWARYB Dato Hjh. Jahara [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 351 3675(F) 04 - 351 4389

    SEBERANG JAYAYB Datuk Arif Shah Haji Omar [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 398 0185

    SUNGAI ACHEHYB Dato Mahmud [email protected]

    (T) 04 - 593 3100(F) 04 - 593 9529

    BAYAN LEPASYB Syed Amerruddin Dato SyedAhmad

    PULAU BETONGYB Sr. Haji Muhamad Farid Saad

    TELUK BAHANGYB Dato Seri Dr. Haji Hilmi Hj Yahya (T) 04 - 866 1760

    (F) 04 - 866 1821

    Talian Kecemasan & Perkhidmatan Awam

    POLIS & AMBULANS 999BOMBA 994DIREKTORI TELEFON 103OPERATOR ANTARABANGSA 101PENYELAMAT 991

    BIRO PENGADUAN AWAM 04-263 6893SEKRETARIAT KERAJAAN 04-262 1957NEGERIKASTAM 04-262 2300IMIGRESEN 04-250 3419INFORMASI PENERANGAN 04-643 0373WCC (Womens Centre for Change) 04-228 0342Pusat Perkhidmatan Wanita (Seberang)04-397 1058EPF 04-226 1000SOCSO 04-238 9888

    JPJ 04-656 413104-398 8809

    JABATAN PENDAFTARAN 04-226 5161

    PUSAT INFO PELANCONG 04-261 4461KERETAPI BUKIT BENDERA 04-828 8880FERI (GEORGETOWN) 04-210 2363

    ( BUTTERWORTH) 04-310 2377JAMBATAN PP 04-398 7419STESEN KERETAPI BUTTERWORTH 04-261 0290

    PERSATUAN PERUNDUNGAN 04-829 4046KANAK-KANAKCAP 04-829 9511JABATAN BURUH 04-262 5536PERPUSTAKAAN PP 04-229 8555

    N1 Penaga : 019 - 470 4800 - RosidiHussain

    N2 Bertam : 012 - 348 5275 - Ab. HalimHamid

    N3 Pinang : 019 - 437 2887 - MuhasdeyTunggal

    N4 Permatang : 019 - 510 2633 - ArshadBerangan Md. Salleh

    N5 Sungai Dua : 019 - 507 3828 - Zahadi MohdN6 Telok Air : 017 - 427 1581 - Salehin

    Tawar MohamedN7 Sungai Puyu : 012 - 528 8411 - Ng Ya LingN8 Bagan : 013 - 449 0366 - Yeap Choon

    Jermal KeongN9 Bagan Dalam : 016 - 473 1963 - GesanN10 Seberang : 013 - 489 3227 - Abdul Jalil

    Jaya Che RosN11 Permatang : 019 - 412 8442 - Kamal

    PasirN12 Penanti : 04 - 522 1463 - Suhaimi Bin

    MansorN13 Berapit : 019 - 481 7823 - Ong Kee

    SeongN14 Machang : 019 - 546 3257 - Rynu

    BubukN15 Padang : 04 - 502 5071 - Ooi Zhen

    Lalang CheeN16 Perai : 012 - 339 3479 - Pn.

    RajaletchumiN17 Bukit Tengah : 017 - 467 7668 - Lim Tuan ChunN18 Bukit Tambun : 012 - 493 3342 - Cheng Kok EongN19 Jawi : 017 - 408 4784 - Abdul Halim

    YunusN20 Sungai : 012 - 415 2905 - Munir Bin

    Bakap MakhtarN21 Sungai : 012 - 473 5774 - Hj M. Kamil

    Acheh A.Bakar

    N22 Tanjong : 012 - 513 6761 - FernieBungah

    N23 Air Putih : 04 - 829 0614 - Chiam HengHock

    N24 Kebun : 04 - 829 3691 - Nancy LimBunga

    N25 Pulau Tikus : 012 - 488 3227 - JoeN26 Padang Kota : 012 - 431 7015 - Johnny

    CheeN27 Pengkalan : 012 - 437 1522 - Wang Lai Ki

    KotaN28 KOMTAR : 012 - 412 6284 - AdreenaN29 Datok : 012 - 410 6566 - A. T. Ong

    KeramatN30 Sungai : 010 - 464 3308 - Anna

    PinangN31 Batu : 04 - 282 6419 - Ooi Gaik

    Lancang HeohN32 Seri Delima : 012 - 486 2552 - Mr. LingamN33 Air Itam : 012 - 493 3648 - Teh Choong

    KongN34 Paya : 012 - 484 1963 - Toon Hoon

    Terubong LeeN35 Batu Uban : 017 - 541 3017 - Pamela

    Shalini014 - 743 4077 - Akmal Koma

    N36 Pantai : 019 - 443 2088 - VictorJerejak

    N37 Batu Maung : 013 - 510 1968 - LatifahN38 Bayan Lepas : 019 - 472 6956 - Asnah Bt

    HashimN39 Pulau : 019 - 570 9500 - Hj Md Tuah

    Betong IsmailN40 Telok : 016 - 400 6462 - Halil Sabri

    Bahang

    PROGRAM PENGHARGAAN WARGA EMAS/OKU/IBU TUNGGAL/PROGRAM ANAK EMAS/ PROGRAM RAKAN ANTI KEMISKINAN/ PROGRAM PELAJAR EMAS

    December 16 - 31, 2012

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    9/28

    20121216-31

    Competency Accountability Transparency

    :

    23

    ?

    25

    22

    28

    19

    128

    128

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    10/28

    220121216-31

    TIMSS

    TIMSS

    20262132

    20123

    2011

    200720

    201126200721201132200747444020074712011426

    910509507533525910

    12124245

    20091544%60%43%

    153

    scal clifftalent c

    3

    2011TIMSS20093

    1:

    20072011 2007 2011

    20 26 6

    21 32 11

    2007 2011

    474 440 34

    471 426 45

    5 3 4525AB 240

    107

    147 4 0

    AB

    20092

    2

    A

    /

    AB

    B-2011 275000.00

    80%-22

    20%-55

    A-2012 259525.00

    80%-207620

    20%-51905

    534525.00

    2 18829.0

    A10-

    AB50- 39990.0

    - 111290.0

    B3-40% 717000.0

    A3- 592000.0

    1479109.00

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    11/28

    320121216-31

    25000

    3

    3

    11301231

    99%

    1231

    21

    4

    3

    250003

    1

    3

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    12/28

    420121216-31

    3318

    32805080%26244020%65610320

    310.8%3561018235610

    22360

    19868032040

    198520%328050

    119

    1996165012

    I-RunForward652012

    I-RunForward2012

    I-RunForward2013

    T4

    I-Run16I-Run50Forward15

    9K FUN RUN21k42k1620

    318

    22

    182

    15100041001002000

    20131121213

    33

    2000Georgetownheritage.blogspot.com

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    13/28

    2012 1

    30 . . ,

    .

    . 231 500 . 1 . , 20%

    1.2 . , . .

    9 3 , 10 .

    2012

    . .

    . 2010- 2012- 456 579, 353 .

    . , .

    , 2010- 110 . . .

    , 2008- .

    , , , .

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    14/28

    20122

    AES

    .

    ,

    .

    . . .

    10 2.3 . , . .

    , .

    .

    . AES

    .

    . , . , 50- 60 . ,

    . . . .

    , ,

    , , ( ) .

    3- BEST . . .

    82 . . . . 50,000 .

    6.50 . 5.20 .

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    15/28

    2012 3

    ESCAPE

    8- . 7 18 . . , . 200 44 .

    .

    ps3 , iphone, ipad , . . , , , , , , .

    .

    Theme Park . Lego Land .

    . 114 . 500 . . www.escape.my . .

    .

    CCTV . .

    , , , , F . 89,970 A F 24 . . .

    4,463,390.36 . , , . .

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    16/28

    20124

    . .

    100

    .

    .

    !

    2013- .

    [email protected] .

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    17/28

    520121216-31

    IJM

    34600sPICE

    IJMPenangWaterFront ConventionCentre9000

    Vx3

    Larry Olt-manns

    Vx3

    THE LIGHT Suntec

    S u n t e c

    ICCA 2011

    72 9

    IJMSuntec2017

    70003

    14

    SPICE

    2017

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    18/28

    620121216-31

    AES

    AES

    AES

    AES2012

    92314

    30

    817

    AES

    831AES

    30AES

    AES

    AES

    1219

    AES

    AES

    AES

    AES

    A

    AES

    AES

    2013

    3100

    3031

    Think Blue

    50Volswagen

    12

    10

    58

    K-POP845

    1

    12

    42

    creatiVisionVolk-

    swagenSuriaFM

    20138

    2013

    12

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    19/28

    720121216-31

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    20/28

    820121216-31

    23

    23

    5

    56

    12

    14

    373127

    2345

    Jalan Angsana

    1219

    95820

    21

    8

    995

    2LED

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    21/28

    9

    Nama Telefon

    En. Sim Chee Keong (DAP)[email protected]

    012-590 75 07

    En. Teoh Seang Hooi (DAP)[email protected]

    019-412 99 9604-594 1231

    En. Soon Lip Chee (DAP)

    [email protected]

    012-4290 163

    En. Visvanathan a/l Kumaran(DAP)

    [email protected]

    012-477 646804-398 3242 (Tel)04-502 1667 (Fax)

    Cik Tan Xin Ying(DAP)

    016 - 553 1987

    En. Mohd Shaipol Bin Ismail(DAP)

    012 - 571 2250

    En. Guanalan a/lSengalaney(DAP)

    013 - 485 3128

    En. Chandrasekeran a/l S.Maniam (DAP)[email protected]

    012-5619870

    En. Mohamad Zainudinbin Othman (PKR)[email protected]

    013-45 47 009

    En. Ahmad Farid bin Md.Arshad (PKR)[email protected]

    019-540 939604-3979796 (Fax)

    En. Johari bin Kassim (PKR)[email protected]

    019-449 1450

    Abdul Latif bin Abdullah(PKR)[email protected]

    019-560 57 55

    En. Lim Eng Nam(PKR)

    [email protected]

    016-411 44 0004-588 0818 (Tel)04-588 0885 (Fax)

    Puan Kusala Kumari @ Rynua/p A. Shanmugam (PKR)

    [email protected]

    019-54 63 257

    En. Amir bin Md. Ghazali(PKR)[email protected]

    013-584 838604 - 521 1987 (Fax)

    En. Ahmad Kaswan binKassim(PAS)[email protected]

    019- 408 4899

    En. Lim Tau Hoong(NGO)[email protected]

    019-446 35 51

    Dr. Tiun Ling Ta(NGO)

    [email protected]

    013-430 209604-508 0039 (Tel)04-657 0918 (Fax)

    En. Ahmad Tarmizi BinAbdullah

    (NGO)

    013 - 414 4822

    En. Loh Joo Huat(DAP)[email protected]

    012-4221133

    En. Ong Koon Liak(DAP)

    [email protected]

    012-427786804-530 0363 (Tel)04-538 6950 (Fax)

    Puan Sarina binti Hashim(PKR)[email protected]

    013-50 00 155

    En. Md Jamil Bin AbdRahmanPAS)[email protected]

    019-4490007

    SENARAI NAMA AHLI MAJLISMPSP 2011 (1 JAN. 2012 - 31 DIS. 2012)

    Nama Telefon

    Zulkii bin Mohd. Noor (DAP) 012 - 483 0878

    Harvindar a/l Darshan Singh

    (DAP)

    012 - 42822 50

    Tay Leong Seng (DAP) 019 - 321 9392

    Lim Siew Khim (DAP) 016 - 531 6026

    Lim Cheng Hoe(DAP)

    016 - 438 4809

    Tan Hun Wooi (DAP) 012 - 488 0409

    En. Ong Ah Teong

    (DAP)

    012 - 410 6566

    Ooi Keat Hin(PKR)

    016 - 417 1331

    Francis a/l Joseph (PKR) 012 - 474 3321

    Cik Ramlah Bee Binti

    Asiahoo (PKR)

    016 - 422 2142

    En. Mohamed Yusoff BinMohamed Noor (PAS)

    04 - 657 7464 (Tel)012 - 472 8114

    Encik Iszuree Bin Ibrahim

    (PAS)

    016 - 443 3205

    Sr. Mohd. Zahry bin Shaikh

    Abdul Rahim (NGO)

    012 - 472 6725

    Encik Teh Lai Heng (DAP) 016 - 445 9808

    Encik Gooi Seong Kin

    (DAP)

    016 - 457 1271

    Encik Prem Anand a/lLoganathan

    (DAP)

    012 - 412 2558

    Encik Tan Seng Keat

    (PKR)

    012 - 438 6191

    Tuan Haji Mohd Rashid BinHasnon

    (PKR)

    019 - 456 0077

    Muhammad Sabri Bin Md

    Osman(PKR)

    013 - 432 0207

    Mohd Taufk Bin sulong

    (PKR)

    012 - 438 0873

    Tahir Jalaluddin Bin Hussain

    (NGO)

    012 - 463 5959

    Dr. Lim Mah Hui(NGO) 012 - 422 1880

    Encik Sin Kok Siang (NGO) 016 - 422 2255

    Ng Chek Siang (PKR)

    [email protected] - 470 7089

    SENARAI NAMA AHLI MAJLISMPPP 2011 (1 JAN. 2012 - 31 DIS. 2012) Kalendar Pelancongan

    Pulau Pinang Dis. 2012

    Buletin Mutiara boleh diperoleh di :

    - Pejabat-pejabat ADUN- Pejabat-pejabat Kerajaan Negeri- Pejabat-pejabat PBA- Bukit Bendera- Pasaraya-pasaraya sekitar Pulau Pinang- Hospital-hospital Kerajaan dan Swasta- Pejabat-pejabat NGO- Edaran rumah ke rumah

    Bagi Maklumat Lanjut, Sila Hubungi :Shawal Ahmad:

    04 - 650 5550, 04 - 650 5256, 012 - 424 9004

    [email protected] atau [email protected]

    1hb - 31hb DisemberPesta Pulau Pinang

    Tapak Pesta Sungai Nibong6ptg - 12mlm

    31hb DisemberNew Year Countdown 2012

    Esplanade,Queensbay Mall,Penang Pesta Site, E&O StraitsQuay, Auto City

    Jenis Iklan Saiz Kos(sebulan,RM

    Satu MukaSurat

    25sm(w) x 32sm(h) 15,000 (*)

    SeparuhMuka Surat(melintang)

    25sm(w) x 16m(h) 7,500 (*)

    SeparuhMuka Surat(menegak)

    12.5sm(w) x 32m(h) 7,500 (*)

    BULETIN MUTIARA

    Tingkat 47, Komtar,10503 Penang

    Phone : 04-650 5468Fax : 04-261 5923

    Email: [email protected]

    EDITORIAL

    EditorChan Lilian (English)

    Tam Poh Guek (Chinese)P.Parameswari (Tamil)

    Assistant EditorAlbert Benedict Manikam (Proof Reader)

    WriterDanny Ooi (English)

    J.Evelyn (English)Shum Jian Wei (Chinese)

    Photographers :Chan Lilian, Law Suun Ting,

    Mohd. Hafz Tajudin and Alissala Thian

    Graphic Designers :Loo Mei Fern, Idzham Ahmad

    December 16 - 31, 2012

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    22/28

    10 December 16 - 31, 2012

    Story and pix by Chan Lilian

    LOCALS and outstation visitors are familiar with

    the horrendous traffic jams along Gurney Driveduring public and school holidays and festive sea-sons.

    A perfect holiday is spoilt when one gets caughtin traffic jams.

    Sensitive to the peoples needs, the Penang IslandMunicipal Council (MPPP) and the assemblymem-ber for Pulau Tikus, Koay Teng Hai, are workinghard to somewhat ease the jams.

    We have received public feedback and are look-

    ing into how to improve the traffic flow. There aresuggestions to turn Gurney Drive and Kelawei Roadinto one-way traffic.

    However, to be fair to the people and the busi-ness owners located in the area, we must attend and

    see to their problems. We have to do the changes

    in stages, MPPP Deputy Director of EngineeringDepartment,who is in charge of infrastructures andtraffic management, A. Rajendran, told BuletinMutiara on Dec 13 at a press conference.

    MPPP is taking several measures to ease conges-tion. We conduct constant monitoring on-site. Wemust try to control the surge of vehicles that cometo Penang during holidays. So, we adjust the traf-fic lights sequencing and timing according to

    needs, Rajendran added.At the press conference, the chairman of the

    Standing Committee - Infrastructure and TrafficManagement, councillor Muhammad Sabri Md Os-man, also announced that traffic at two roads will

    be changed to one-way. These are :1. Part of Cantonment Road between Kelawei

    Road and Burmah Road - From Kelawei Road/Cantonment Road to junction of Cantonment Rd/

    Burmah Road - effective 11pm on Dec 14 2. LorongPitt between Chulia Street and Lebuh Ah Quee -One way from Chulia Street/Lorong Pitt to junctionof Lorong Pitt/Lebuh Ah Quee - effective 8pm onDec 14 Sabri said more roads will made one-way

    in preparation for the festive seasons like Chmas, New Year and Chinese New Year.

    Usually, MPPP sets a three-month period foers feedback before making the one-way tr

    permanent.Road users can write to [email protected]

    [email protected] or call 04-259201MPPP 24-hr hotline at 04-2637637 if they havequeries or complaints.

    Moves to ease traffic jams

    Rajendran (left) and MPPP Councillor Muhammad Sabri Md Osman explaining to members of thechange of traffic flow at certain stretch of roads in Penang.

    Story by Chan Lilian

    Pix by Law Suun Ting

    RESIDENTS living around the Jalan Angsana area in Farlim where tFarlim government clinic is, can now heave a sigh of relief.

    Thanks to their state assemblymember Yeoh Soon Hin, they nohave a pedestrian crossing which will take them safely across Jala

    Angsana.The project is funded by the Penang state government and carrie

    out by the Public Works Department (JKR).For the information of Buletin Mutiaras readers, some parts of th

    roads in Penang are under JKR while others are under the Penang Isla

    Municipal Council (MPPP).Costing RM95,820, the project began in October and was com

    pleted this month.On Dec 19, Yeoh and MPPP Deputy Director of EngineerinDepartment,who is in charge of infrastructures and traffic managemen

    A. Rajendran were at the location to launch the pedestrian crossingAccording to a survey done by MPPP, an average of 100 peop

    cross this road every hour. There are eight blocks of flats on one siand another 14 on the other side. People need to get to the opposisite daily. One fatal accident has happened and there were also othaccidents along this stretch, Yeoh said.

    Rajendran showed to the press the new pedestrian crossing panwhich he said is the first new system installed.

    Pointing to the panel, he said: This is a vandal-proof design. Prviously, using the push button, people tend to break the push button

    Safer road crossing for Farlim folk

    Pedestrians can now safely cross Jalan Angsana in Farlim after the Penang stategovernment installed pedestrian crossing and traffic lights costing RM95,820.

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    23/28

    1December 16 - 31, 2012

    Story by Evelyn Joseph

    ALL government web portals will be evaluated and analysed eac

    year and this evaluation will be made by MAMPU through MDe

    a process that has entered its seventh year.

    In 2012, 1,348 portals and websites across the country wer

    evaluated and analysed, where only 281 managed to get ve star

    The Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) is one of th

    agencies to have successfully maintained ve-star standardsMPPP corporate director Patrick Khoo Poh Aik said.

    For this year, the MDeC also introduced an additional criterio

    of the Strategic Achievers to encourage government agenci

    to provide a website which is transparent and not adversely a

    fected by security issues.

    Only 28 agencies had successfully passed the test and MPP

    is one of them.

    The certicate of appreciation award ceremony was held

    Putrajaya on Dec 12.

    For more information or complaints, refer to MPPP websit

    (http://www.mppp.gov.my @ http://aduan.mppp.gov.my)

    MPPPs 5-star show

    Khoo is proudly showing the certificate and the awardreceived by MPPP (Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang).

    Story and pix by Chan Lilian

    PENANGS Swettenham Pier (SP) is the port where

    cruise ships berth. Tanjung City Marina (TCM) is the

    abandoned marina operated by Penang Port Sdn Bhd

    (PPSB).Both of SP and TCM are under Penang Port Com-

    mission (PPC) but the two buildings sit on land be-

    longing to the state government and Penang Island

    Municipal Council (MPPP) respectively.

    PPC is a statutory body under the purview of the

    Transport Ministry and its chairman is Datuk Seri Dr

    Chua Soi Lek.

    In the last issue of Buletin Mutiara, we featured

    the sad state of the abandoned TCM.

    Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had voiced his

    concerns that TCMs fate may befall SP if they are

    under the same operator.

    On Dec 12, Lim had rebuked Chua when the lat-

    ter reportedly challenged Penang to forcibly acquire

    the SP and close it.

    Lim: Why should we acquire something that isalready ours? The land and anything on the land

    belongs to the landowner.

    Chua must understand. We are worried that the

    SP will become like the abandoned TCM. So, we want

    to have a say. Although by virtue as the State Secretary

    (post held by Datuk Farizan Darus), his appointment

    is statutory in the PPC board. Datuk Farizan has not

    been informed that PPC is taking over the operations

    of TCM from Penang Port. Thats why we want the

    Penang State government to have more say in the

    running of SP. We want to be consulted.

    TCM is the clearest example of abject failure.

    We want to give inputs. We want the state govern-

    ment views to be heard. I am the Chief Minister

    elected by the Penang people and I represent the

    Penang people. They want a port run properly and

    efciently, with open competitive tenders and with

    attractions to draw more tourists, Lim added.

    Chua had earlier recently visited Penang for adurian feast.

    Why did Chua come to Penang to eat durians

    only? Why didnt he visit TCM ? For heavens sake,

    go and see the TCM. It is RM43 million down the

    drain! Lim said.

    During his visit, Chua also made accusations that

    Lim likes to boast about his efcient state govern-

    ment administration. But next year they have tabled

    a decit budget.

    To this, Lim retorted: For the last ve years,

    despite the budget decit, Penang still recorded a

    budget surplus. In fact, last year we achieved a record

    in history with RM138 millions. If Chua doesnt

    understand basic and nancial accounting, if he

    doesnt understand the books, does he want me to

    give him a CD?While the political tirade goes on, the sad fact is

    the marina continues to fall apart day by day and

    abandoned by its operator, PPSB under PPC.

    At the same time, exco member in charge of tour-

    ism Law Heng Kiang has been receiving complaints

    and concerns from both cruise liners and tourists

    about the condition of the pier.

    The Penang Pakatan Rakyat government will

    continue to monitor and ensure that money is not

    further wasted by poor management .

    The CAT administration will adopt a competent,

    accountable and transparent approach for the benet

    of the people.

    Damage control forSwettenham Pier, Marina

    Lim tells Chua, Penang people wanta port run properly and efficiently, withopen competitive tenders and withattractions to draw more tourists .

    ANNOUNCEMENT

    Funicular Operation will be closed from 7th January 13January 2013 (7days) for Annual Inspection by Garaventa an

    SISAG. This activity is compulsory as a yearly routine maintenan

    to make sure the Funicular instruments in good condition. Oper

    tion will be open to public on 14th January 2013.

    Visitors can opt for alternative routes via Jeep Track (Botan

    Gardens) or the existing hiking route to the top of the Penang Hi

    For further information on train service schedules and develo

    ments, please visit our website at www.penanghill.gov.my.

    We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

    Thank you.

    The Management

    Penang Hill Corporation

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    24/28

    12 December 16 - 31, 2012

    EDUCATION Minister Tan Sri Muhyid-

    din Yassin has been ridiculed for saying

    that that our education system is betterthan that of the US, UK and Germany,using selective results from the WorldEconomic Forum (WEF) Global Com-

    petitiveness Reports statistics.Muhyiddin, who is also deputy prime

    minister, had made these claims inMarch.

    His claims have now been totally

    repudiated by the recently releasedTIMSS 2011 ndings, said Bagan MP

    Lim Guan Eng, who is also Penang

    Chief Minister.Malaysias ranking in Math fell from

    20th in 2007 to 26th in 2011 while itsranking in Science fell by an ever

    greater margin, from 21st in 2007 to32nd in 2011. Our average Math scorefell from 474 in 2007 to 440 and our

    average Science score fell by an evengreater degree from 471 in 2007 to 426in 2011.

    The results are summarised in Table1 below.

    In contrast, the US and the UK wereranked 9th and 10th with an averageMath score of 509 and 507 respectively.The average Science scores of 533 for

    the UK and 525 for the US put them at

    9th and 10th in the ranking respectively.Both scores and rankings are far

    above that achieved by Malaysia. (Ger-many did not participate in this study)

    Malaysia also shared the distinction

    of being only one out of six countriesout of a sample of 42 countries partici-pating in the Math study and 45 coun-tries participating in the Science studyto see falls in both our Math and Science

    scores and ranking!Most of the other countries either

    improved their scores and rankings orstayed at their previous levels.

    This fall is reected in how many

    middle class parents in urban areas arevoting with their feet and wallet by leav-ing the national education system in

    droves by enrolling their children inprivate primary and secondary schools.

    Unfortunately, the parents who can-not afford the high fees of privateschools will continue to have to sendtheir children to the national schools andreceive a less than desirable quality of

    education.I call on Muhyiddin to give a clear

    account of this serious and unacceptablefall in our TIMSS rankings and retractthis previous statement that Malaysias

    education system is better than the UK,US and Germany, Lim said.

    Everyone knows that educationalstandards in Malaysia have deteriorated

    alarmingly.In the 2009 Programme for Interna-

    tional Student Assessment (PISA),

    which compares international standards

    of reading, mathematics and science of15-year olds, 44 per cent of Malaysianstudents failed to meet the minimumstandards for reading, 60 per cent failedto meet minimum standards for Math-ematics and 43 per cent failed to meet

    the minimum standards for Science.Overall, the competency of 15-year olds

    in Malaysia was measured to be three yearsbehind the international average.

    We as a nation must bridge the gapsand overcome any educational decits

    together, so that not only do we avoidthe pitfalls from any brain drain, but

    permit ourselves to scale new heigtowards a high income economy, L

    said.The latest 2011 TIMSS results o

    conrms the 2009 PISA study that

    students are three years behind the

    ternational average and half of our sdents do not have an aptitude and comand of knowledge of science and ma

    For Malaysia to succeed in transforing into a developed economy, a prer

    uistie is a strong base in science atechnolody.

    Accordingly, Muhyiddin must drup a crisis plan to address the deterioring educational standards in science a

    maths or else jeorpardise Malaysiambitions of becoming a high-incomhigh value-added and knowledge intsive economy.

    THE Federal government has been urgedto publicly declare all assets of the primeminister and ministers to improve Ma-laysias rankings in Transparency Inter-

    national (TI).If Penang can publicly declare and

    update the assets of the chief minister andexco members, which will be updatedyearly in January, why cant the BN

    Federal government do likewise? Lim

    said.Unless the BN federal government

    follows Penangs footsteps by imple-menting six integrity measures, Malaysiawill not only fail to prosper but the weightof the recent exposes of nancial scandals

    will ensure that next years CorruptionPerception Index(CPI) ranking of TI will

    be worse.

    The six integrity measures of ghting

    corruption are: 1. instituting public dec-laration of assets of the Chief Ministerand the EXCO members. 2. implement-ing open competitive tenders. 3. barringfamily members from involvement in

    government contracts. 4. protectinggenuine whistleblowers. 5. removingleaders with extravagant lifestyles. 6.

    coming clean on political donations.

    Malaysians observed International

    Anti-Corruption Day recently with littlecause for celebration as despite a slightimprovement in Transparency Interna-tionals Corruption Perception Index

    (CPI) ranking from 60th out of 183

    countries in 2011 to 54th out of 176 in2012, our country remains haunted byfinancial scandals and allegations of

    grand corruption involving leaders at the

    highest level.

    Although there is a slight improvementin the overall score, it must be remem-bered that this survey was conductedearlier in the year, before the emergenceof major high-prole scandals such as the

    mysterious RM40 million donation toUMNO Sabah and recent revelations bybusinessman Deepak Jaikishan relating

    to shady land deals.Worse, the extraordinary wealth o

    Sarawak Chief Minister and his faexposed in the Syariah courts as w

    billions of ringgit has not been fullyplained and accounted for.

    The public has only been informthe full extent of the abuse of powthe previous Selangor and Penang

    ernments.For example, land in Selangor

    worth RM300 million was sold to

    component parties at RM1 per sq ft

    while prime land in TanjungTokongto Gurney Drive in Penang was so

    RM1 psf.If all these exposes of scandals w

    factored by TI, Malaysias ranking uthe CPI of TI would have been wor

    Most worryingly, the CPI score

    not reveal telling details such as thethat 50 per cent of respondents inBribe Payers Survey believed that

    have lost business due to bribery.In this area, Malaysia ranked wors

    of the 31 countries, worse than evedonesia (47%), Pakistan (42%) and

    sia (39%).

    Follow Penang in declaring assets

    Our education standardsare lagging

    File photo o Penang state exco members declaring their assets in Jan 2012.With them is Chartered Accountant Ooi Kok Seng (seated, 2nd rom let) oaccounting frm KPMG.

    File photo o primary school students who are part o the Green Schoolcampaign.

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    25/28

    1December 16 - 31, 2012

    Story and pix by Chan Lilian

    IN November 2011, four indi-viduals who called themselves

    ratepayers caused quite a stirwhen they appeared at the HighCourt in Penang accompanied bysome politicians from BarisanNasional to le a legal suit against

    the Penang Island MunicipalCouncil (MPPP) seeking a decla-ration that the agreement forSubterranean Penang InternationConvention and Exhibition Cen-

    tre (sPICE) is null and void.Video archive showed heavy

    presence of the Light Strike Forceas the four ratepayers, a groupof Barisan Nasional leaders and

    supporters headed towards the

    High Court building.The four plaintiffs, Khoo YenHer, R. Rama Krishnan, AbdulManan Abdul Manap and K.

    Sathiasilan, claimed they repre-sented the people of Penang andwere ling the suit on behalf of

    other taxpayers in the Penang

    municipality.

    However, the High Court hasrejected their case.In a press conference on Dec

    7, exco member Chow Kon

    Yeow said that on Dec 4 theHigh Court had rejected the caseand ordered the four to pay costs

    of RM7,500 to the three re-spondents, i.e. MPPP, the Pen-

    ang state exco members andEco-Meridien Sdn Bhd, the de-veloper of the project.

    Chow also reported that so farthe progress of the sPICE pro-ject is going according to sched-ule and about 18-19 per cent

    upgrading has been done to thePenang International Sports

    Arena (PISA) which will beupgraded to sPICE.A Buletin Mutiara team visited

    the sPICE site in October and wasbriefed about the development ofthe project.

    The aquatic centre which was

    in a deplorable state during

    Barisan Nasional administris undergoing repairs and upging. The main PISA buil

    continues to carry on as usualexhibitions, concerts andevents being held weekly.

    Piling works are going othe subterranean centre whiat the front portion of P(where the fountains used towhile a site has been cleared

    used as a temporary carparkThe targeted completion

    of sPICE is in the last quart2015 and Penang will havinternational subterranean

    vention centre by 2016 whichinclude a RM300 milsPICE; a new seven-acre p

    park; refurbished, repairedupgraded Penang Internati

    Sports Arena(PISA); rebished, repaired and upgraquatic centre, and a new hand retail outlets and additcar park.

    Suit has no sPICE, court rules

    Artist s impression of the sPICEwhich is a RM300 million project,targeted to be completed in 2015.

    Photo collage of the Old Spice. Photos taken by MPPPshow the deplorable state of the aquatic centre.

    Story and pix by Chan Lilian

    The people who collect our money must

    provide housing for the poor. - REHDA

    HYPOCRITE thats the word that the

    chairman of the Real Estate Housing De-velopers Association (Rehda) Penang,Datuk Jerry Chan, used to describe indi-viduals and groups who had protested and

    demanded for development to stop inPenang.

    These people who are now protestingagainst the 87 units per acre policy by thePenang Island Municipal Council (MPPP)

    are the same people who had approved upto 165 180 units per acre during the previ-ous government administration, Chan re-vealed.

    REHDA had called a media brieng on

    Dec 17 and informed members of the pressabout the property outlook for 2013.

    In a no-holds barred question-and-an-swer session, Chan also illustrated thedomino effects should the property sector

    slow down by half.He said 2012 had been a good year for

    the property sector with ve to 15 per centgrowth.

    So much attention has been given to

    Penang. With the Penang Science Park, wesee job creation. Population growth projec-tion is two million by 2020. That means anincrease of about 400,000 people. We needhousing for these people.

    REHDA deputy chairman Toh Chin

    Leong added: We have to keep progress-ing. Growth is inevitable. It is a matter ofhow we manage it. What actually do Pen-

    angites want?It is high time we conduct a survey and

    nd out what the people want. The average

    age of the people is 25.8 years. Do theywant RM25,000 ats or apartments with

    facilities and bigger spaces?Chan lambasted certain quarters who

    had made a lot of noise.In 2008, these people who protested did

    not represent the stakeholders. They are not

    the ones who get elected. They have nolocus-standi. It is the state government thathas been voted in and they have the mandateto carry out the greater good of the publicand it is their responsibility to provide hous-

    ing for the people. If MPPP does not imple-ment the 87 units/acre (and stick to 30 units/acre), where is the Penang state governmentgoing to nd the housing for the people?

    he said.REHDA also pointed out that housing

    prices cannot be brought down by buildingless.

    The moment development of housingstops, the demand is consistent and hence,prices go up.

    Consumers (house buyers) must knowthat every time the NGOs make noise, it isgoing to hurt their pockets. The people aregoing for the wrong target. We pay taxesto the federal government. Income tax, sales

    tax, road tax and most of other taxes go tothe federal government. Yet, the federal

    government is not providing housing forthe poor. Instead, the federal government ispushing the state government and the statepushes the developers, Chan said.

    He added: Land prices have increased100-200 per cent. Building materials andworkmanship have increased. Yet, develop-ers are compelled to provide low-medium

    cost (LMC) units at RM75,000 which hasnot been revised in the last 10 years. In theend, who pays for the increase? Housebuyers! Developers will have to factor inthe costs for the LMC and the consumerswill have to pay for them!

    Toh added: From our experience,though we provide RM25,000 ats to thepoor, we know that they have side transac-tions and those units go for as high asRM120,000. These people made a lot of

    money. If you dont believe, just take a lookat the low cost housing. You can see air-concompressors and Astro dishes. On top of

    that, the very poor cannot even affordbuy the RM25,000 per unit ats.

    Chan said REHDA has proposed to

    state government that if they can provthe land, the housing developers can wtogether with the state government to pvide low cost housing.

    Otherwise, house prices will continu

    go up because of the need to provide locost and low medium-cost housing.Go for the people who owe it to

    They (the federal government) have lected our money (taxes) and they have

    responsibility to provide low-cost housfor the poor, Chan repeated.

    On a more positive note, REHDA currently the property market outlookPenang is very good.

    With the building of the Penang Wafront Convention Centre and several oprojects, more hotels are needed andstate will cater to a different market.

    Go after the Federal Government

    Chan (seated, second from left) and Toh (seated, third from left) say thepeople who collect our money must provide housing for the poor.

  • 7/30/2019 Mutiara (Mixed) Dec 2x

    26/28

    14December 16 - 31, 2012

    Story by Chan Lilian, Pix byLaw Suun Ting

    The tide recedes but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand

    The sun goes down but gentle warmth still lingers on the land

    The music stops and yet it echoes on in sweet refrainsFor every joy that passes, something beautiful remains..

    JACOB Isaac Fletcher had been a loving son, a true brother and friend. Thememory of him will live on and will never end especially of one so young like

    Jacob who had a caring heart and a giving hand.Buletin Mutiara requested permission from Martin Jalleh who had facilitated

    a Confirmation Camp Jacob attended, to reprint the above poem which Martinwrote for Jacob. Friends of Jacob too had left heart rending messages on hisFacebook, recalling the good times they had and the wonderful person that Jacob

    was.Jacob, 19, who was a Race Official of the Pesta Penang Dragon Boat Race,

    drowned at the Telok Bahang Dam on Dec 9.Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, exco members Lim Hock Seng, Law Heng

    Kiang and Penang Water Supply Corporation Sdn Bhd (PBAPP) general man-

    ager Jaseni Maidinsa paid a visit to the bereaved family at the Church of Im-

    maculate Conception funeral parlour and handed over RM5,000 from the ChiefMinister and RM10,000 from PBAPP of which Jacobs grandfather was a formeremployee.

    No words could console the parents, Paul and Jillian Fletcher, and Jacobs two

    sisters, Jessica and Stephanie.However, the family will stay strong in their faith and will seek comfort in

    God.

    Bereaved family stays strong in faith

    Story by Chan Lilian

    TWO hundred and fifty chil-

    dren from Penang Cheshire

    Home, Pertubuhan RumahKebajikan Seri Cahaya, theSalvation Army Home, theRamakrishna Ashrama, St Jo-

    sephs Home, St. Vincent dePaul and the public had a joyfultime at the YWCA PenangChristmas do on Dec 8.

    Joining them were Penang

    state exco Chow Kon Yeow andhis wife Tan Lean Kee.

    YWCA president Dr MarinaDavid told the children: Wewant you to to enjoy the spirit

    of Christmas and you will bringhome a present and goodie bag

    from Santa. You can also getto know and respect each others festivities andwould have a better understanding as you grow

    up. Similarly you should visit and enjoy thefestivities of others too.

    Chow, who stayed through the three-hourevent, sang Christmas carols with the childrenand reminded them: Be good and be grateful for

    all that we have in Malaysia