buletin

Competency Accountability

FREE

Transparency

August 2012: Issue 1/08

Edisi Bahasa Inggeris, Tamil dan Cina

RM11 million for Golden Students Program

RM1,000 for those entering public universities
STuDENTS who are entering public universities may want to log on to IBITA at http://ibita. penang.gov.my and download the application form to apply for the RM1,000 financial aid from Penang State Government. The closing date is 30th September, 2012. The financial aid is only for new students who are entering public universities and pursuing a Diploma course or a Degree and their familys total income is less than RM4,000 per month. In 2010, a total of 1,000 students applied and each received RM500. In view of the rising cost of living and inflation, the amount was increased to RM1,000 in 2011 when over RM2 million was given to 2,009 students. On 10th August, 2012 a total of 262 students who are taking a Diploma course received RM1,000 each at a ceremony held at Komtar. Most of them were represented by their parents as many are currently away at their respective universities. I wish to congratulate the parents here today because they have successfully brought up and guided their children to be bright and successful individuals. I hope these parents will ask their children to return to Penang to contribute to the development and growth of Penang. As a caring and people-centric Government, we will also ensure that Penang State provides a bright and prospective future for your children Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said in his speech. CM Lim also said, Penang State also has other programs like the Golden Child, Senior Citizens, Single Mothers, OKu and recently, the Golden Student Program. The money comes from budget surpluses each year and through Pakatan Rakyat anti-corruption campaign which has received praises from Transparency International.

A recipient shaking hands with Exco Member Datuk Abdul Malik Kassim (second from left) after receiving RM1,000 from Penang State. On far left is Penang Deputy State Secretary Datuk Muhammad Yusoff Wazir and Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mansor Othman (third from left).

Story by Chan Lilian

PENANG Pakatan Rakyat State Government has allocated RM11 million to be distributed to 110,000 students in Penang who are in Year 1, Year 4, Form 1 and Form 4 under the Golden Student Program. Parents whose children are in the above classes can register for the Golden Student Program at the nearest Adun/ JKKK/Co-ordinators office. Please refer to Page 10 & Page 11 for the contact numbers. Closing date is 31st August, 2012 and parents just need to provide the student card to register. Although the announcement was made many months ago, Exco Member Phee Boon Poh who is co-ordinating this program had met with some glitch-

es. Recently, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng hit out at Deputy Minister of Education Dato Dr. Wee Ka Siong from MCA as Penangs efforts to give RM100 to the students through their parents have not received much co-operation. At an event in Komtar held on 10th August, 2012, CM Lim said, We want to give RM100 to these schoolchildren. We want to make sure that this program is carried out properly. We gave registration forms to the schools so that the parents could fill in the details before we distributed the money to them. However, the Chinese press reported that the Deputy Minister of Education had accused us of wanting to give the RM100 to only Pakatan Rakyat supporters and not Barisan Nasional supporters. This is

not true! CM Lim said this is mischievous and an attempt to sabotage Penang States efforts. He added, Due to security reasons, we cannot give RM100 cash directly to these children who are as young as seven. We want to give through their parents. Moreoever, the amount involved is huge - RM11 million! Each school will be handling a few hundred thousand ringgit and we want to make sure that there is proper record and documentation as we are a CAT (competent, accountable and transparent) government. So, parents are urged to make the registration through the nearest Adun/JKKK/Coordinators office. They will be able to get the money on 16th September, 2012.

Sisters Yun Han, 13 years and Yun Qing, 17 posing for Buletin Mutiara with RM100. All Penang schoolchildren who are in Year 1, Year 4, Form 1 and Form 4 are eligible to register for the Golden Student Program from now till 31st August, 2012.

Alleycats Loga is close to to our hearts

RAYA CHEER FOR THE POLICE AND ARMY
Vignesh and his sister, Darsha at the Chief Ministers Office.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng handing over RM10,000 to the Penang CPO Datuk Abd Rahim Hanafi at Komtar on 13 August, 2012. The Armed Forces also receive the same amount from the State Government.

WE thank the Penang State Government for helping us out. It is a different start, which is quite difficult for us. We have to start a new life.

Zakat money for the poor

Pix by Mohd. Hafiz Tajuddin

Hopefully, with the support we receive, we will be able to go through this, Vignesh Waran 29, the son of the late Datuk Loganathan Aru-

mugam from the famous group Alleycats said. Vignesh and his sister, Darsha Logan, 24 were at the Chief Ministers Office on 8 August, 2012 to receive the state contribution of RM5,000

to the family over the loss suffered by the family due to the recent fire at their home in Jalan Azyze in Tanjong Bungah. Their mother, Datin Susan Lovie was unable to be pre-

sent at the event. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said, This is a token of appreciation as we wish to let the family of the late Datuk Loganathan know that he is still very close to our hearts.

IT will be a more cheerful Hari Raya for the hardcore poor and the poor in Penang after they received money from zakat. A sum of RM3,443,972.00 has been distributed to 962 hardcore poor (fakir) who do not have the basic needs and 8,163 poor (golongan miskin) people who only have the basic needs. The distribution was from the zakat collections from Muslims in Penang.

The zakat distribution ceremony took place at Wisma PERKESO in Seberang Jaya on 7 August, 2012 . The money was given by the President of Penang Islamic Affairs Council (MAINPP), YDP Dato Mohd Salleh Man. It was handed to the leaders of Penang Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) and other village leaders who will later distribute the money to the poor and hardcore poor in their areas.

Left to right : MAINPP President who is also the Assemblymember for Permatang Pasir Dato Mohd. Salleh Man, Penang Mufti Dato Hassan Ahmad and Ustaz Elias Zakaria who is the Chairman of Penang Zakat Management Centre and also the former President of MAINPP.

Asian Womens Leadership University (AWLU) selects Penang

Penang State Assembly Speaker, Dato Abdul Halim Hussain holding a dialogue with a group of Balik Pulau landowners at the Balik Pulau District Office.

The Asian Womens Leadership University (AWLU) is a prestigious, world-class, educational institution. The international team of the AWLU Project is working to establish a top-

level liberal arts womens university planning partner. As emerging econ- peace will increase. The University for promising women in Asia. The omies in Asia strengthen, the demand will meet this demand by improving institution will be based in Malaysia for women graduates with the neces- the lives of its individual students who and Penang has been chosen. sary skills to engage in the global will go on to be influential actors in Chief Minister Lim Guan eng an- economy, promote socio-economic the development of their home counnounced this in July. AWLU with an progress, and foster international tries. investment valued at RM 492 million, is expected to create 190 high value positions. Penang has been the choicest location. Initially a 100-acre land was chosen in Kampung Genting, Balik Pulau. however, after some negotiations, we came to a win-win situation and AWLU now accepts another piece of land in Pondok Upeh, Balik Pulau. A c c o r d i n g t o AW L U s website - AWLU is projected to open in September 2015. The AWLU will be a private, not-for-profit university modelled on the U.S. Seven Sisters liberal arts colleges. Smith College (MA, USA) Some of the landowners airing their views to the Penang State Government leaders at will be the chief academic the Balik Pulau District Office in July, 2012.

State-Run Dialysis Centres to open

to travel from Balik Pulau to the General hospital for his dialysis treatment. They endured a lot and I have seen the hardship faced by people who need dialysis. Yusmadi and several Penang State Leaders were at the launch of the setting-up of the dialysis centre located at the ground floor of MPPP building annexe to the Balik Pulau market on 22 July 2012. Balik Pulau MP is grateful that Penang State Government has chosen Balik Pulau to set up the first dialysis centre. Today is an historic day for Penang and Malaysia because for the first time ever, medical assistance comes directly from a State Government. Moreover, this initiative is carried out in the rural area even though the Assemblymember is from the opposition, (Balik Pulau Assemblymember is Muhammad Farid haji Arshad from UMNO), CM Lim said in his speech. The initiative is carried out with the concept of Public and Private Partnership Framework (PPP) and more than 50% of the cost will be financed by the State Government. According to statistics, up to 31 December 2011 there were 4,476 undergoing dialysis treatment in Penang. Meanwhile, the number of people with end stage renal failure is increasing. The cost of renovating the MPPP building to accommodate the specific needs of a dialysis centre was

RM150,000. Ten homeodylasis (hD) machines will be installed, each costing RM42,00.00. When completed, needy patients will only need to pay RM30 while the rest of the cost will be subsidised. The treatment usually costs RM150RM200. Another dialysis centre will be set up in Seberang Jaya and expected to be completed early next year.

Member of Parliament for Balik Pulau, Yusmadi Yusoff.

Story and pix by Chan Lilian

The Member of Parliament for Balik Pulau, Yusmadi Yusoff shared how his sister had a hard time caring for his nephew who had chronic kidney disease. My sister and her son had

Left to right - Yusmadi, CM Lim and DCM 1 Dato Mansor Othman at the launching of renovation works for the dialysis centre in Balik Pulau.

TYT Governor breaking fast

Story by Danny Ooi

TYT Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas, CM Lim Guan Eng, ADUN Batu Maung Datuk Abdul Malik Kassim joined invited guests and the residents of Bayan Lepas for a break fast at Masjid Sungai Tiram on August 4. 20 senior citizens were given hampers during the function. Abdul Malik in his speech said since 2008 when the Pakatan Rakyat Government came into power, the State Government has been givimg out various aids like IPTA, Anak Emas, Warga Emas and Pela-

Datuk Yusoff Taiyoob (far right) giving Duit Raya to the needy from Bagan Parliamentary Constituency.

Land not reserved for housing

Story by By Danny Ooi

jar Emas. He called on all Muslims to be good followers of Islam by observing the holy month of Ramadan. Abdul Malik said with the Chief Minister joining Muslims to break fast will help him to understand the Islamic faith better. CM Lim advised the crowd present to refrain from consuming food that has high sugar content, as this will lead to diabetes and kidney failure. He went on to say that Penang State Government has set up two dialysis centres one in Balik Pulau and the other in Seberang Jaya. CM Lim said these two centres only charge RM50 per dialysis treatment, compared to RM150 at private dialysis centres. Patients can save over RM300 weekly if they have to go for three treatments a week, he added. On another matter, CM Lim said the Penang State Government hopes to erase poverty by 2015. We will top up the income of any household in the State, if it is less than RM600, he added. CM Lim added that the State Government is also looking into raising the minimum income of each household to RM750, instead of the existing RM600. About 200 residents of KADUN Bagan Jermal were joined by CM Lim and ADUN Lim Hock Seng at break fast in the compound of Masjid Kubang Buaya in mainland Seberang Perai Utara on August 3. In his speech, CM Lim thanked local businessman Datuk Yusoff Taiyoob who contributed kurma

CM Lim serving food for TYT Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas.

(dates) for 500 poor families during the various break fast functions in the State. He said Datuk Yusoff Taiyoob is a good example of a successful local businessman who made it to the top through his hard work and determination. He is self - made, and there is no cable attached, he said in jest. CM Lim added that the aim of the State Government is to help those in need and to be fair to all regardless of creed, race and political background.

CM Lim Guan Eng on July 31 dismissed Penang BN Chief Teng Chang Yeows claim that some Penang State EXCOs have personal interest in the proposed 30-storey private medical specialist centre project to be built at Jalan Zainal Abidin area. It is totally unprofessional and irresponsible of Teng to question the integrity of the EXCOs in this case. Show us proof, he said at a media conference at KOMTAR. Elaborating further on the public housing issue in Jalan Zainal Abidin area, CM Lim said the previous State Government had not made any provision for public housing to be built at the 0.4ha land in nearby Taman Manggis. CM Lim refuted as totally untrue a statement by Teng Chang Yeow that the original plans under Barisans administration were for a community housing project on the prime land at the junction of Jalan Zainal

CM Lim (second from right) and other EXCOs standing beside the poster showing the proposed housing project in Jalan S.P. Chelliah.

Abidin - Lorong Selamat Jalan Burma. It was reported that Teng had said that it was unbecoming of the current State Government to scrap the original plans in favour of the medical specialist centre project at the site. The land was not reserved for pub-

lic housing. Despite that, we had been looking at whether it could be used for affordable homes, CM Lim said. We then decided that it was too small and not feasible for public housing and identified an 11-acre alternative site in Jalan S.P. Chelliah

to build affordable homes instead, he said. In the latest development, the State Government announced that about 1,320 units of LMC and medium-cost flats will be built on a 2.91ha plot in Jalan S.P. Chelliah under the States Affordable Housing Project.

Positive Ageing Strategy

of these senior citizens, picked randomly from five districts in Penang will be taking part in the study. Qualified nurses will go to their homes to conduct a health appraisal and interview about their lifestyle. The UN said that any nation with more than 7% senior citizens out of its entire nation population is considered an ageing society. However, in Penang, there are 10.2% senior citizens at the moment. Therefore, Penang is taking the proactive step to conduct this study which costs about RM60,000. The study will be carried out after Hari Raya Puasa, in early September 2012. Penangites who are interested to be part of the study can contact 04-226 3459. Also present at the press conference was the Penang Welfare Services Department (JKM) director Zulkifli Ismail.

Left to right : Penang Welfare Services Department (JKM) director Zulkifli Ismail, Penang Medical College Associate Professor Dr. Rashid Khan, Exco Member for Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Phee Boon Poh.

Story and pix by Chan Lilian

Exco Member for Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Phee Boon Poh announced that Penang Medical College under Associate Professor Dr. Rashid Khan will carry out a health appraisal and socio-demographic profile of the ageing population in Penang. The study Health appraisal and socio-demo-

A TEN-FOLD HELP

graphic profile of the elderly population of Penang, Malaysia is a first of its kind to be carried out in Malaysia. Penang as the caring and people-centric government aims to undertake this appraisal with the goal of achieving a positive ageing strategy. There are 159,000 senior citizens who are 60 years and above in Penang. Out of this number, 140,000 have registered under the Senior Citizens Appreciation Program. From these numbers, 2,000

Exco Member for Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Phee Boon Poh.

Exco Member for State, Town and Country Planning, Housing and Arts Committee, Wong Hon Wai.

THE Exco Member for State, Town and Country Planning, Housing and Arts Committee revealed that under the current Pakatan Rakyat State Government, allocations for the upgrading works of public housing has been increased ten folds. Since 2009, the budget for the management and maintenance of public housing has increased to RM10 million per year. Previously, under the Barisan Nasional administration, the budget was only RM1 million and involved only small projects. Wong said,Pakatan Rakyat is a people-centric government which is greatly concerned of the welfare of the people. Thats why the State Government increased the amount so that the people benefited from better and more

comfortable living environment. Some of the projects that have been undertaken by PR State Government to improve the living conditions of the people included re-painting of flats, plumbing works, re-wiring of Kampung Melayu, repair and replacement of lifts and the maintenance of sewage treatment plants. The public housing areas that have benefited are flats at Rumah Pangsa Padang Tembak, Rumah Pangsa Kampung Melayu, Rumah Pangsa Tun Sardon, Rumah Pangsa Desa Wawasan, Ampang Jajar, Jalan Macallum, Desa Jawi and Taman Free School. The Penang State Government manages and maintains 45 projects with 15,000 units in total.

FEATURE

Penangs housing affordability issues could soon be a thing of the past should a new housing board come into existence. One thing is certain: It will take the efficient implementation of systematic, holistic policies to allow middle income groups greater access to affordable housing.
Average house prices in Penang have increased 50% in the last five years, with even bigger rises seen on the island, particularly in the islands north-east region where the average condominium is now RM450,000, 82% higher than five years ago. The island is now almost three times more expensive than the mainland, and the gap in prices has been getting wider since 2006. Astronomical price increases on the island have distracted attention away from the price rises on the mainland, where certain property types have also gone up significantly in value. Terraced property has increased 25% and semi-detached and detached property by 30% over the past five years on the mainland; if current trends continue, property will increase a further 20% to 30% over the next few years.

HOUSING IN PENANG
investors. The Global Property Guide places Malaysia as the top Asian country to invest in, with low round-trip costs and low capital gains taxes. Low interest rates and easy home ownership have also developed a new breed of property investor. With returns from stocks, shares and bank interests being low, the average person is now able to make money by redirecting savings into property. Speculation in a rising market is clearly translating into higher house prices for all. Construction costs have increased by 15% to 30% over the past five years, and high and rising import duties on finished products (such as marble and sanitary ware) have added to overall costs. While developers compete for land and drive up the price further, the result is passed on in higher housing costs. Increasing conditions are being placed on housing developers to build offsite infrastructure, such as community facilities, schools and even hospitals, in addition to a 30% quota for low cost housing, for which the materials and land required are also increasing in price. The promotion of Penang as a destination has fuelled demand for housing, in particular for high-end housing. Penangs international profile has risen significantly; the inscription of George Town by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) as a world heritage site has put the island on the map. Property developers as well as the federally funded Malaysia Property Incorporated market Penang abroad, and sales of property to foreign owners are an important part of Malaysias development strategy. Data and statistics on foreign purchasers in Penang are poor, but it is estimated that Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) arrivals alone make up around a quarter of all high-end purchasers in Penang.

By Stuart MacDonald

Kwong Wah Yit Poh

36 . Penang Monthly . January 2012

Drivers of housing prices

A broad range of factors have come together to push up house prices in Penang. Supply side factors have contributed to rising prices. Penang is the second smallest state in Malaysia, but it is the eighth most populous and has a declining supply of land available for development, largely due to its geographical constraints but also due to its colonial and cultural history that has left a lasting legacy on the pattern of land ownership. The scarcity of land for development and competing pressures for available land have pushed up prices, in particular on the island. Economic factors create demand for housing. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is a significant driver of the economy, and drives the requirement for low wage assembly jobs, largely filled by foreign workers. The state has 71,577 foreign workers in manufacturing (2010), but only 400 units of official foreign worker hostel accommodation. This has driven demand for low cost property which can be rented out at a profit, hence increasing the price of low and low-medium cost properties.

1 Housing speculators have been quick to exploit an appreciating Malaysia is estimated to have a diaspora of one million and many who left in the 1970s are now thought to be returning market in Penang, and it is argued that many of the newly home to retire, with many choosing Penang as their destination constructed high-end developments are snapped up by such

Three-storey terrace houses in Tanjung Tokong.

Flats in Relau.

Mapping these income groups against the total number of affordable housing units shows that while there are 20% of households (equal to 76,024 household units) earning The planning system itself may have under RM1,800 a month, there are 120,448 contributed to rising house prices, as a sufficient range of housing options have affordable properties for this group, a not been planned for. A prescriptive, quotapotential oversupply of more than 44,000 units. Second quintile households can afford based housing policy has also promoted a skewed market. Developers build high-end property between RM100,000 and RM150,000, however there are 110,730 surplus units in this developments to cross-subsidise low cost housing, however conflicts of interest arise as price bracket. While it appears on the surface private developers are driven to maximise their that there is an oversupply of low cost housing, profits on high-end housing and minimise their it is clear there is an undersupply of property for middle income groups, with an additional costs on low cost housing (using the cheapest 53,677 units of affordable property required land and materials) to protect their bottom line. As a result, it is economically unattractive for households in quintile 3 and an additional 16,405 units for households in quintile 4 (see to develop the required range of housing. Figure 2). Fast forward to 2020, and based on the forecast population, this shortfall for Supply and demand from an middle income groups reaches over 100,000 affordability viewpoint affordable units. Average household income in Penang increased 25% between 2004 and 2009, Re-visioning the role of up from RM3,531 in 2004 to RM4,407 in housing in Penang 2009. But middle income groups have not 2 The state government is re-evaluating its role experienced an increase in wages , and the in housing, especially for the poorest groups cost of living continues to rise year on year, biting into any income growth. In the last year in society, but also for those middle income groups it is dependent upon to transform the alone, Bank Negara reported that the cost of states fortunes. It has taken significant steps food increased by 4.7%, transport by four per to develop a housing board. But before this cent and healthcare costs by 2.9%. can be realised, it should develop a strategy to ensure its success, to empower the board By dividing the population into household with knowledge and understanding, provide it income quintiles (five equal blocks of 20%) we with the decision-making powers to influence can explore the mismatch between supply and change in the housing market and develop the demand from an affordability viewpoint. Using required organisational structures, skills sensible borrowing limits we can then examine FIGURE 1: HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN PENANG BY HOUSEHOLD INCOME QUINTILE AND HOUSE PRICE AFFORDABILITY
Income group Low income Middle income Quintile Monthly income Mortgage borrowing with 5% deposit, 30 year mortgage @ BLR Up to RM 100,000 Income multiple 4.6 upwards 4.6 4.4 - 4.6 4.4 - 4.7 4.7 upwards

of choice. They bring wealth generated in foreign currency and are able to buy high-end property. Again, data are poor, but if just one per cent of those Malaysians of retirement age living in Singapore and the UK returned to Penang, they would account for a further quarter of high-end house purchasers.

World Bank (2011), Malaysia

Economic Monitor, November 2011, http://web.worldbank.org/ WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/ EASTASIAPACIFICEXT/MALAYSIAE XTN/0,,contentMDK:23051545~pa gePK:1497618~piPK:217854~theSit ePK:324488,00.html
2

Ong Ee Lynn

Jeffrey Hardy Quah

house price affordability for different income groups, so, for example, a realistic housing budget for middle income groups would be in the range of RM150,000 to RM350,000 (see Figure 1).

1st Quintile

Up to RM 1,800

Private sector recruitment and

salary guides support this with wages presented as being largely static over the past few years, see for example www.kellyservices.com. my/MY/Resource-Centre/MalaysiaSalary-Guide/

2nd Quintile RM1,801 to RM2,700 RM100,001 to RM150,000 3rd Quintile RM2,701 to RM3,800 RM150,001 to RM200,000 4th Quintile RM3,801 to RM6,200 RM200,001 to RM350,000 RM6,201 + RM350,000 +

High income 5th Quintile

Penang Monthly . January 2012 . 37

8
FIGURE 2: HOUSING DEMAND FROM AN AFFORDABILITY VIEWPOINT

and sufficient capacity to support successful implementation. It should explore a twin track approach to allow progress to be made on the housing agenda, given the political constraints surrounding the approval of the board. The new housing board should invest in greater knowledge and understanding of the housing market with a policy, research and data function so that it can construct an evidence-based, spatial housing demand model to direct future house building approvals, research issues in low cost housing and define affordable property. The housing board can streamline processes, take the lead role in assembling land, develop clear policies on issues such as land reclamation for residential housing and challenge existing zoning regulations that separate land use functions. A spatial understanding of poorly utilised urban land can support the development of a regeneration and renewal strategy for the state. A stock condition survey can identify areas where low cost housing stock has fallen into disrepair. Abandoned and poorly operating commercial premises can be mapped and regeneration can be used to unlock the potential value of existing urban land. The housing board can construct and maintain quality, sustainable and affordable housing for all. It should remove all conflicts of interest from the development process by replacing prescriptive quotas with a revised development charging framework. The state can work through its existing agencies and with the private sector to initiate joint ventures and develop a Special Purpose Vehicle to deliver positive housing
38 . Penang Monthly . January 2012

outcomes for Penang. The housing board should support the right people to access low cost or affordable property by removing conflicts of interest from housing allocation, closing legal loopholes that allow it to be resold and sublet, and setting and monitoring the criteria for eligibility, with enforcement of policies which prevent the misuse of state-subsidised assets. From examining options for raising capital funds to developing an ongoing ring-fenced budget for housing, the state government can look to review the way it places charges on development, use financial levers that can make the desired development economically attractive to developers and develop more progressive property taxes which can raise additional revenue to support the fundamental functions of the state.

Conclusions

The housing board offers an opportunity to re-examine housing market policy and develop a framework fit for the 21st century; it presents an opportunity to promote more sustainable, compact urban growth, develop a regeneration and renewal strategy, advance a more sustainable pattern of growth, create transit-orientated developments and breathe life back into rundown areas. Ensuring green principles are embedded within these objectives can help to create an international city state, and help the pearl to shine again.
Stuart MacDonald has been researching housing issues in Penang, having previously worked at the Centre for Local Economic Strategies in the UK. This article is a short summary drawn from three research papers available online at www.penanginstitute.org

Competency

Accountability

Transparency

20128

Frusis Lebi 500 100 50033

916

916 100

916 100 100 2011 100 831 100916 11 1100

100 360 95% 100 5 11 100 100 100

11

11

20128

2 5 89 1976 1. 250 a) 19891987 19891019 200 b) 1996913 1987 250 c) 2502007 6282020 250 25 2. 2020 250 a) 2020 DK3 L21960 25025 b) DK3 L4250 2007 2008 3 250 6 c) DK3 L2 DK3 L4 DK3 L4DK3 L2 3. a) 2020 DK3 L4 20096 DK3 L4DK3 L2 DS30 DS30 L5 b) DS30 L51996 c) 2009

d) (i) 2020 (ii) (iii)1996 Local Plan 4. a) 1976241 223 12 b) 2020DS31 L1 5 c) 24(5) d) Sungai Gelugor Co-op Society Bhd e) Sungai Gelugor Co-op Society Bhd

f) Sungai Gelugor Co-op Society Bhd 5. a) 25(7) b) 1996 c) 301 d) 305 e) 37 223) 30

20127

 2012

2012
? , . . , , , , . , . 1330 . 133 . . . 12000 , . . . . , . 28- . , , . () . . , 1330 , , , , , ; , 20 : , , , , , . , , , . . , ,

. .

2012

. , . , . . . . . . , . . , ,

, 500 .

. .

 2012

. . . . (Green Building Index) . ? , , . . . . , . . 140 . . . 30 3 . 6 2 . , , .

.
, . . . . . , . . 1960 .

().

20128

4.5 731

5
i. ii. iii. iv. v. ; (GHC); (Prangin Canal)

3000 345 8 7 345 3 5 2 333000 1240 2800 2100 700 3000 10 U

20128

6 70 2.06 1960 1972 1980 2000 60 308 6 2.06

4 12 1990 200835761 20082010 20002008

15000 7080 5 18000 20082010 152702 90 2 201193 428 25527 3762

1. 2008382012731 1868 3834 14702 2. 2008382012731 12079 3167 15246 2012428 25527 3762

3. 5 277 28.9 31.71 11 5.82 200 4. 18000 132012000 3000

20128

(Pentaksiran Berasaskan Sekolah)

Penang Green Expo 2012 Imperial Sponsor

Q&A ON HILL-SLOPE DEVELOPMENTS

On 9 August, 2012, Exco Member for Local Government and Traffic Management issued a four-page Q&A and briefings on development of land 250 feet and above in Penang to members of the media. Chow also held a press conference in Bahasa Malaysia to explain all the questions that are often asked repeatedly. Chow said, Of late, the Penang State Government has come under criticism for alleged uncontrolled hill-slope development in the state, in particular the island. I hope the briefing today will allow a more in-depth understanding with regards to the situation surrounding Penangs hills, which have been alleged to be dying and crying. With the Q&A, Chow concluded, As there are a number of cases regarding hill land that have been filed with the Appeal Board, the Penang state government and MPPP shall from now on cease to make any further statement that could be deemed prejudicial to the ongoing appeals. The legal issues are still debated and all involved parties will present their arguments when the cases are heard by the Appeal Board. The following is the text of Chows press statement : to introduce a system of classification for land use. Under this Plan, there are indeed plots of land above 250 feet that were zoned for Residential use. The 250 feet control came into effect after the Penang Structure Plan 2020 (Rancangan Struktur negeri Pulau Pinang 2020) was gazetted on 28 June 2007. This plan forbids development in areas exceeding 250 feet above sea level and on hill-slopes with a gradient of more than 25 degrees. However, there is an exception for special projects (projek istimewa) which allows limited development requiring stringent control with regards development guidelines, EIA approval, as well as approval from the State Planning Committee. There was no definition given for special projects in this plan, which was approved by the SPC chaired by then Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon and attended by EXCO members including Dr Teng Hock nan, Teng Chang Yeow, Koay Kar Huah, and Lau Chiek Tuan. agree that DK3 L4 serves as an exception to DK3 L2. Q: What are special projects? DK3 L4 of the Penang Structure Plan 2020 does not spell out explicitly what a special project is. In June 2009, the State Planning Committee approved guidelines for the abovementioned special projects. The purpose of creating the new guidelines was to address the lack of definition in DK3 L4 in relation to DK3 L2 as well as DS30 (relating to housing) which states housing development will only be allowed in areas that have been identified. DS30 L5 further states that zones that are approved for housing include areas that have been rezoned for housing and approved before the adoption of the Penang Structure Plan. Going by DS30 L5, areas zoned for housing in the 1996 Pelan Dasar (Development Control and Planning Master Plan) should therefore remain to be allowed for housing development. To address this overlap in policies and intentions, the SPC in 2009 approved new guidelines to define Special Projects under two categories. Category 1 includes public infrastructure projects like cabel cars, roads, railway, reservoirs, bridges, helipads, etc. Category 2 housing development: (i) change of land use approved before the adoption of Penang Structure Plan 2020. (ii) development projects which have prior planning permissions. (iii) areas shown as housing zones according to the 1996 Pelan Dasar (until the Local Plan is gazetted). Q: Is the council automatically approving renewals of planning permissions without reviewing and imposing new conditions? Can council revoke planning permissions? A: Section 24(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 states A planning permission granted under section 22(3) shall, unless extended, lapse 12 months after the date of grant thereof if, within that time, the development had not commenced in the manner specified in the planning permission. Penang Structure Plan 2020, DS31 L1 states that a planning permission can only be extended for five times.

Q: Doesnt the Penang Structure Plan 2020 say NO housing development above 250ft is allowed? A: Yes, DK3 L2 in the Penang Structure Plan 2020 states that housing, hotels, resorts, commerQ: Is development allowed on cial, and industrial development land 250ft above sea level in Pen- CAnnOT be allowed on hill land gazetted under the Land Conservaang? A: The development of policies tion Act 1960, and land above 250ft related to hill land development on and/or with gradient exceeding the island of Penang can be traced 25degrees. However, DK3 L4 states that back to 1989 when for the first time in our history, a mention of height limited development for special control can be found in the 1987 projects on land above 250ft is MPPP StructurePlan (Rancangan allowed. Despite the lack of definiStruktur 1987 Majlis Perbandaran tion and elaboration on what conPulau Pinang), which was approved stitutes special projects, the by the State Planning Committee council has been approving develon 19 October 1989. In this docu- opment on land above 250ft even ment, it is stated that development during the few months between the on land above 200 feet has to be gazette of Penang Structure Plan in 2007 until the change of state govclosely controlled (dikawal rapi). On September 13, 1996, a De- ernment in March 2008. If Bn is so velopment Control and Planning keen on saving the dying and crying Master Plan (Pelan Dasar Peran- hills, they must at the very least cangan Dan Kawalan Pemajuan account for the six projects they Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang) approved in this very short period was approved by the State Planning of time. Going back to the question, yes Committee chaired by the then Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon DK3 L2 says no development, but and also attended by the then MPPP DK3 L4 further states limited President Dr Teng Hock nan. development is okay under strictAmong the functions and purposes er control. What does limited deof this plan was to better reflect that velopment mean? Feedback from aims, objectives, and strategies of JPBD and the councils planning the 1987 Structure Plan as well as department and legal advisor all

24(5) states that in granting an extension, the local authority may impose new conditions. Council can even revoke a planning permission, but unless prior conditions or laws were broken, the councils practice has been to grant extensions according to existing guidelines. In the landmark case of MPPP v Sungai Gelugor Co-op Society Bhd, The Federal Court held that the councils new condition when granting extension to a planning permission was wholly null, void and of no effect. The councils legal advisor would be a better person to elaborate on this; however it appears that even imposing new conditions have to be reasonable, fair, and not oppressive [MPPP v Sungai Gelugor] Conditions must not be unreasonable, as condition can be held void for uncertainty and consequently unenforceable. [MPPP v Sungai Gelugor] Although the Town and Country Planning Act confers discretion to the local authority to attach conditions as they think fit, this power is not unlimited. It must have a planning purpose and it must relate to the permitted development i.e. there must be connection between the permitted use and the conditions imposed. Q: What compensations are involved if a planning permission is revoked? A: Section 25(7) provides for compensation on expenditure incurred in implementing the approval prior to the revocation. However, if development is completely disallowed without giv-

ing regard to the change of land use or previous approvals given before the Penang Structure Plan came into effect, there is no guarantee that landowners who have purchased land at high prices will not seek compensation for unfair denial of development rights. This is also relevant to land already marked for housing development purposes in the 1996 plan. Relevant to this is - Section 30(1) provides that the local planning authority may, with the approval of the State Authority, by a requisition notice discontinue any use of land or impose conditions for the continued use of land. An appeal can be filed to the Appeal Board and the notice shall be suspended until the determination or withdrawal of the appeal. Section 30(5) provides, if the owner of the land has, in consequence to the requisition notice, suffered damage in the form of depreciation in the value of the land or incurred expenses or costs in carrying out works in compliance with the notice, he may claim from the local planning authority compensation for the damage, expenses or costs. Further, Section 37 allows a land owner who has been denied planning permission under section 22(3) on grounds that the land is indicated in the development plan for a public purpose or whose land has been affected by a requisition notice under section 30, to claim that the land is incapable of reasonable beneficial use and may therefore serve on the local planning authority a purchase notice requiring his interest in the land to be purchased.

10
Nama ADUN AIR PUTIH YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng limguaneng@penang.gov.my PENANTI YB Dato Mansor Othman mansor@penang.gov.my PERAI YB Prof. Dr. P. Ramasamy a/l Palanisamy ramasamy@penang.gov.my PADANG KOTA YB Chow Kon Yeow chowkonyeow@penang.gov.my BATU MAUNG YB Dato Abdul Malik Abul Kassim abdmalik@penang.gov.my BAGAN JERMAL YB Lim Hock Seng limhockseng@penang.gov.my BATU LANCHANG YB Law Heng Kiang lawhengkiang@penang.gov.my SUNGAI PUYU YB Phee Boon Poh pheeboonpoh@penang.gov.my; pheeboonpoh@yahoo.com BUKIT TAMBUN YB Law Choo Kiang lawchookiang@penang.gov.my AIR ITAM YB Wong Hon Wai wonghonwai@penang.gov.my BERAPIT YB Ong Kok Fooi ongkokfooi@penang.gov.my DATO KERAMAT YB Jagdeep Singh DEO jagdeepsinghdeo@penang.gov.my PANTAI JEREJAK YB Sim Tze Tzin simtzetzin@penang.gov.my MACHANG BUBOK YB Dato Tan Hock Leong hltan@penang.gov.my TANJONG BUNGAH YB Teh Yee Cheu dappenang.cagw.teh@gmail.com JAWI YB Tan Beng Huat tanbenghuat2000@yahoo.com PENGKALAN KOTA YB Keng Ee dappengkalankota@gmail.com BAGAN DALAM YB Tanaseharan a/l Autheraphy atana@first.net.my KEBUN BUNGA YB Ong Khan Lee jason_okl@yahoo.com SUNGAI BAKAP YB Hj. Maktar Hj. Shapee adunan.dunsgbakap@yahoo.com KOMTAR YB Ng Wei Aik ngweiaik@penang.gov.my; nweiaik@ gmail.com PADANG LALANG YB Tan Cheong Heng michael@dappenang.com.my PAYA TERUBONG YB Yeoh Soo Hin clementyeoh@hotmail.com PULAU TIKUS YB Koay Teng Hai koaytenghai@gmail.com PERMATANG PASIR YB Dato Hj. Salleh Man adunptgpasir@gmail.com BUKIT TENGAH YB Ong Chin Wen pkrbkttengah@gmail.com SUNGAI PINANG YB Koid Teng Guan tgkoid@gmail.com BATU UBAN YB Raveentharan a/l Subramaniam raveenkeadilan@gmail.com SERI DELIMA YB Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer a/l Rajaji rsnrayer@gmail.com DAP PENANG HQ dappg@streamyx.com No Tel/ No Faks (T) 04 - 829 0614 (T) 04 - 522 1463 (F) 04 - 522 1463 (T) 04 - 650 5134 (F) 04 - 261 8715 (T) 04 - 226 0218 (F) 04 - 228 8514 (T) 04 - 626 1968 (F) 04 - 626 5496 (T) 04 - 331 7175 (F) 04 - 331 7175 (T) 04 - 282 6419 (F) 04 - 282 6419 (T) 04 - 262 0860 012 - 480 5495 (F) 04 - 261 8745 (T) 04 - 588 0818 (F) 04 - 588 0885 (T) 04 - 828 0926 (F) 04 - 828 0926 (T) 04 - 530 8476 (T) 04 - 226 2464 (F) 04 - 227 2464 (T) 019 - 443 2088 (F) 04 - 641 3088 (T) 04 - 552 1366 (F) 04 - 552 1366 (T) 017 - 472 9990 (F) 04 - 228 8514 (T)04 - 598 1877 (F)04 - 598 1877 (T)04 - 250 1521 04 - 2501522 (F)04 - 2501523 (T) 04 - 538 1162 (F) 04 - 537 1163 (T) 04 - 818 2008 (F) 04 - 818 2008 (T) 04 - 582 7549 (F) 04 - 582 8648 (T) 04 - 227 0215 (F) 04 - 227 8215 (T) 04 - 502 5071 (F)04 - 508 9711 (T) 04 - 229 2105 (F) 04 - 226 2550 (T) 04 - 226 3227 (F) 04 - 226 3227 (T) 04 - 398 4226 (F) 04 - 398 4226 (T) 04 - 508 3977 (F) 04 - 508 3677 (T)010 - 464 3308 (F) 04 - 282 8322 (T) 04 - 659 6007 (F) 04 - 658 6007 04 - 2628188 (T) 04 - 659 5611 (F) 04 - 659 5611 (T) 04 - 228 8482 04 - 227 1397 04 - 226 6482 (F) 04 - 228 8514 NAMA ADUN PENAGA YB Dato Haji Azhar Ibrahim BERTAM YB Hajah Zabariah Wahab PINANG TUNGGAL YB Dato Haji Roslan Saidin PERMATANG BERANGAN YB Haji Shabudin Yahya SUNGAI DUA YB Dato Haji Jasmin Mohamed TELOK AIR TAWAR YB Dato Hjh. Jahara Hamid jahara.hamid@gmail.com SEBERANG JAYA YB Datuk Arif Shah Haji Omar Shah arif@arifshah.com SUNGAI ACHEH YB Dato Mahmud Zakaria datomahmud@umpangroup.com.my BAYAN LEPAS YB Syed Amerruddin Dato Syed Ahmad PULAU BETONG YB Sr. Haji Muhamad Farid Saad TELUK BAHANG YB Dato Seri Dr. Haji Hilmi Hj Yahya (T) 04 - 866 1760 (F) 04 - 866 1821 (T) 04 - 573 4630 (F) 04 -570 1997 (T) 04 - 575 7454 (T) 04 - 351 3675 (F) 04 - 351 4389 (T) 04 - 398 0185 No Tel/ No Faks (T) 04 - 310 3100 (F) 04 - 323 8017 (T) 04 - 575 8670 PEGAWAI PENYELARAS KADUN PENAGA Hj Rosidi Bin Hussain albertami@yahoo.com 019-4704 800 BERTAM Asrol Sani Bin Abdul Razak asrolsani2006@gmail.com PINANG TUNGGAL Muhasdey Muhamad hadiputra78@yahoo.com PERMATANG BERANGAN Arshad Bin Md Salleh arshad.salleh@yahoo.com SUNGAI DUA Zahadi Mohd zahadi55@yahoo.com TELOK AIR TAWAR Salehin Mohamed pjd_403@ymail.com SEBERANG JAYA Abdul Jalil Che Ros abjteguh@gmail.com SUNGAI ACHEH Hj Mohd Kamil Bin Abu Bakar hjwanday@yahoo.com BAYAN LEPAS Asnah Binti Hashim asnah_45@streamyx.com PULAU BETONG Hj Mohd Tuah Bin Ismail tuahismail@yahoo.com TELUK BAHANG Halil Sabri Hamid halilsabri.hamid@gmail.com No Tel/ No Faks (T) 04 - 575 6577 (F) 04 - 575 8578 (T) 013 - 580 6981 (T) 019-437 2887 (T) 019 - 510 2633 (T) 019 - 507 3828 (T) 017- 427 1581 (T) 04 - 390 5109 013 - 489 3227 (F) 04 - 538 1460 (T) 012 - 4735774 (F) 04 - 582 7648 (T) 019 - 472 6956 04 - 6588152 (T) 019 - 570 9500 (F) 04 - 866 8618 (T) 016-400 6462

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

Talian Kecemasan & Perkhidmatan Awam

POLIS & AMBULANS BOMBA DIREKTORI TELEFON OPERATOR ANTARABANGSA PENYELAMAT 999 994 103 101 991 JPJ JABATAN PENDAFTARAN 04-658 1122 04-398 8809 04-226 5161

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

PUSAT INFO PELANCONG 04-261 4461 KERETAPI BUKIT BENDERA 04-828 8880 FERI (GEORGETOWN) 04-210 2363 ( BUTTERWORTH) 04-310 2377 JAMBATAN PP 04-398 7419 STESEN KERETAPI BUTTERWORTH 04-261 0290 PERSATUAN PERUNDUNGAN KANAK-KANAK CAP JABATAN BURUH PERPUSTAKAAN PP 04-829 4046 04-829 9511 04-262 5536 04-229 8555

PROGRAM PENGHARGAAN WARGA EMAS/OKU/IBU TUNGGAL/ PROGRAM ANAK EMAS/ PROGRAM RAKAN ANTI KEMISKINAN
N1 Penaga N2 Bertam : 019 - 470 4800 - Rosidi Hussain : 012 - 348 5275 - Ab. Halim Hamid : 019 - 437 2887 - Muhasdey N22 Tanjong Bungah N23 Air Putih : 012 - 513 6761 - Fernie : 04 - 829 0614 - Chiam Heng Hock - Nancy Lim

N3 Pinang Tunggal N4 Permatang : 019 - 510 2633 Berangan N5 Sungai Dua : 019 - 507 3828 N6 Telok Air : 017 - 427 1581 Tawar N7 Sungai Puyu : 012 - 528 8411 N8 Bagan : 013 - 449 0366 Jermal N9 Bagan Dalam : 016 - 473 1963 N10 Seberang : 013 - 489 3227 Jaya N11 Permatang : 019 - 412 8442 Pasir N12 Penanti : 04 - 522 1463 N13 Berapit N14 Machang Bubuk N15 Padang Lalang N16 Perai : 019 - 481 7823 : 019 - 546 3257 : 04 - 502 5071 : 012 - 339 3479

N17 Bukit Tengah : 016 - 469 5343 N18 Bukit Tambun: 012 - 493 3342 N19 Jawi : 017 - 408 4784 N20 Sungai Bakap N21 Sungai Acheh : 012 - 415 2905 : 012 - 473 5774

N24 Kebun : 04 - 829 3691 Bunga N25 Pulau Tikus : 012 - 488 3227 - Joe - Arshad N26 Padang Kota : 012 - 431 7015 - Johnny Md. Salleh Chee - Zahadi Mohd N27 Pengkalan : 012 - 437 1522 - Wang Lai Kin - Salehin Kota Mohamed N28 KOMTAR : 012 - 412 6284 - Adreena - Ng Ya Ling N29 Datok : 012 - 410 6566 - A. T. Ong - Yeap Choon Keramat Keong N30 Sungai : 010 - 464 3308 - Anna - Gesan Pinang - Abdul Jalil N31 Batu : 012 - 411 2152 - Ooi Geoik Che Ros Lancang Hooi - Kamal N32 Seri Delima : 012 - 486 2552 - Mr. Lingam N33 Air Itam : 012 - 493 3648 - Teh Choong - Suhaimi Bin Kong Mansor N34 Paya : 012 - 484 1963 - Toon Hoon - Ong Kee Seong Lee Terubong - Rynu N35 Batu Uban : 012 - 409 7507 - A.Francis Xavier - Ooi Zhen 010 - 562 2004 - M. Sri Chee Jaimuralydasan - Pn. N36 Pantai : 019 - 443 2088 - Victor Rajaletchumi Jerejak - Amizuddin N37 Batu Maung : 013 - 510 1968 - Latifah - Cheng Kok Eong N38 Bayan Lepas : 019 - 472 6956 - Asnah Bt - Abdul Halim Hashim Yunus N39 Pulau : 019 - 570 9500 - Hj Md Tuah - Munir Bin Betong Ismail Makhtar N40 Telok : 016 - 400 6462 - Halil Sabri - Hj M. Kamil Bahang A.Bakar

11
SENARAI NAMA AHLI MAJLIS MPSP 2011 (1 JAN. 2012 - 31 DIS. 2012)
Nama En. Sim Chee Keong (DAP) stevensim@mpsp.gov.my En. Teoh Seang Hooi (DAP) shteow@mpsp.gov.my En. Soon Lip Chee (DAP) lcsoon@mpsp.gov.my En. Visvanathan a/l Kumaran (DAP) visvanathan@mpsp.gov.my Cik Tan Xin Ying (DAP) En. Mohd Shaipol Bin Ismail (DAP) En. Guanalan a/l Sengalaney (DAP) En. Chandrasekeran a/l S. Maniam (DAP) chanderasekeran@mpsp. gov.my En. Mohamad Zainudin bin Othman (PKR) mohamadzainudin@mpsp. gov.my En. Ahmad Farid bin Md. Arshad (PKR) ahmadfarid@mpsp.gov.my En. Johari bin Kassim (PKR) johari@mpsp.gov.my Abdul Latif bin Abdullah (PKR) abdul_latif@mpsp.gov.my En. Lim Eng Nam (PKR) peterlim@mpsp.gov.my Puan Kusala Kumari @ Rynu a/p A. Shanmugam (PKR) kusala@mpsp.gov.my En. Amir bin Md. Ghazali (PKR) amir@mpsp.gov.my En. Ahmad Kaswan bin Kassim (PAS) ahmadkaswan@mpsp.gov. my En. Lim Tau Hoong (NGO) thlim@mpsp.gov.my Dr. Tiun Ling Ta (NGO) lttiun@mpsp.gov.my En. Ahmad Tarmizi Bin Abdullah (NGO) En. Loh Joo Huat (DAP) jhloh@mpsp.gov.my En. Ong Koon Liak (DAP) klong@mpsp.gov.my Puan Sarina binti Hashim (PKR) sarina@mpsp.gov.my En. Md Jamil Bin Abd Rahman PAS) mdjamil@mpsp.gov.my Telefon 012-590 75 07 019-412 99 96 04-594 1231 012-4290 163 012-477 6468 04-398 3242 (Tel) 04-502 1667 (Fax) 016 - 553 1987

SENARAI NAMA AHLI MAJLIS MPPP 2011 (1 JAN. 2012 - 31 DIS. 2012)
Nama Zulkifli bin Mohd. Noor (DAP) Harvindar a/l Darshan Singh (DAP) Tay Leong Seng (DAP) Lim Siew Khim (DAP) Lim Cheng Hoe (DAP) Tan Hun Wooi (DAP) En. Ong Ah Teong (DAP) Ooi Keat Hin (PKR) Francis a/l Joseph (PKR) Cik Ramlah Bee Binti Asiahoo (PKR) En. Mohamed Yusoff Bin Mohamed Noor (PAS) Encik Iszuree Bin Ibrahim (PAS) Sr. Mohd. Zahry bin Shaikh Abdul Rahim (NGO) Encik Teh Lai Heng (DAP) Telefon 012 - 483 0878 012 - 42822 50 019 - 321 9392 016 - 531 6026 016 - 438 4809 012 - 488 0409 012 - 410 6566 016 - 417 1331 012 - 474 3321 016 - 422 2142 04 - 657 7464 (Tel) 012 - 472 8114 016 - 443 3205 012 - 472 6725 016 - 445 9808 016 - 457 1271 012 - 412 2558

Kalendar Pelancongan Pulau Pinang Ogos 2012

21hb Julai - 18hb Ogos Ramadhan Bazaar 2012 KOMTAR

19hb - 20hb Ogos Hari Raya Aidilfitri

012 - 571 2250

013 - 485 3128

31hb Ogos 2012 Merdeka Countdown Auto-City, Juru

012-5619870

013-45 47 009

Encik Gooi Seong Kin (DAP) Encik Prem Anand a/l Loganathan (DAP) Encik Tan Seng Keat (PKR) Tuan Haji Mohd Rashid Bin Hasnon (PKR) Muhammad Sabri Bin Md Osman (PKR) Mohd Taufik Bin sulong (PKR) Tahir Jalaluddin Bin Hussain (NGO) Dr. Lim Mah Hui (NGO)

019-540 9396 04-3979796 (Fax) 019-449 1450 019-560 57 55

012 - 438 6191 019 - 456 0077

013 - 432 0207

016-411 44 00 04-588 0818 (Tel) 04-588 0885 (Fax) 019-54 63 257

012 - 438 0873 012 - 463 5959 012 - 422 1880 016 - 422 2255 016 - 470 7089

013-584 8386 04 - 521 1987 (Fax) 019- 408 4899

Encik Sin Kok Siang (NGO) Ng Chek Siang (PKR) perisaihebat@gmail.com

BULETIN MUTIARA
Tingkat 47, Komtar, 10503 Penang Phone : 04-650 5468 Fax : 04-261 5923 Email: suaracat@gmail.com

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

019-446 35 51

013-430 2096 04-508 0039 (Tel) 04-657 0918 (Fax) 013 - 414 4822

EDITORIAL
Editor Chan Lilian (English) Tam Poh Guek (Chinese) D.Bhavaneswari & N.Senthil Kumar (Tamil) Assistant Editors : Albert Benedict Manikam (Proof Reader)

Jenis Iklan
Satu Muka Surat Separuh Muka Surat (melintang) Separuh Muka Surat (menegak)

Saiz
25sm(w) x 32sm(h) 25sm(w) x 16m(h)

Kos (sebulan,RM)
15,000 (*) 7,500 (*)

012-4221133

012-4277868 04-530 0363 (Tel) 04-538 6950 (Fax) 013-50 00 155

Writer (English) : Danny Ooi Photographers : Chan Lilian, Law Suun Ting, Mohd. Hafiz Taijudin and Alissala Thian Graphic Designers : Loo Mei Fern, Idzham Ahmad

12.5sm(w) x 32m(h)

7,500 (*)

019-4490007

Shawal Ahmad: 04 - 650 5550, 04 - 650 5256, 012 - 424 9004 shawal@penang.gov.my atau shawal9004@gmail.com

Bagi Maklumat Lanjut, Sila Hubungi :

12

Taman Tunku Recreation Park gets a facelift

Taman Tunku Recreation Park in Seberang Jaya was recently given a facelift, through the corporate social responsibility (CSR) beautification project initiated by Seberang Perai municipal Council. Five property developers under Real Estate and Housing Developers association (Redha) and four organisations under Surveyors, Planners, Engineers, architects and Developers malaysia (SPEaD) had jointly sponsored the upgrading work of the park which cost Rm470,000. State Local Government and Traffic management EXCO, Chow Kon Yeow said the park located behind Seberang Jaya public swimming pool and Seberang Jaya mosque, was upgraded to make it greener and more conducive for residents. We hope the residents will do their part to help the Council maintain the parks cleanliness and beauty, he added. Chow said under the facelift, a 0.9km jogging track-cum bicycle lane, a mini gazebo, 35 benches, two signboards and seven LED lamposts were installed. Part of the beautification project includes repair work done on a bridge, a motorcycle park and an old gazebo. 45 shady trees were planted in the park. Chow added that apart from being a venue for jogging and walks the 4.69ha

13

park can also be an ideal location for outdoor wedding ceremonies and photo shoots. The Taman Tunku CSR beautification project was opened by Cm Lim on July 29. During his speech, Cm Lim thanked Rehda and SPEaD members for contributing to the upgrading of the park. The Rehda members are

Datuk Simon Wong.

DaTuK Lee Kar Choon resigned as investPenangs executive committee chairman on august 2. He will be replaced by former Dell vice-chairman (asia Operations) and managing Director (malaysia) Datuk Simon Wong. Wong joined Dell in 1998. He was responsible for the companys operation centres in malaysia, China and India. Prior to Dell, Wong had 22 years of experience in motorola and was its Penang managing director. He was also motorola general manager at its European manufacturing facility in Dublin, and was the vice-president and general manager of motorola Radio Parts and Service Group Asia Pacific in Singapore.

InvestPenangs new Executive Committee Chairman

The airmas Group of Companies, IJm Land Berhad, new Bob Group of Companies, Sunway City Berhad and Taman Indah Land Berhad, while the SPEaD members are malaysian Institute of Planners, malaysian architects association, Institute of Engineers malaysia and Royal Institute of Surveyors of malaysia. We also wish to thank

mPSP for forking out Rm4,000 to plant 100 trees, including the pinang trees here, Cm Lim said. Cm Lim added that the former Prime minister Tunku abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj opened the park in conjunction with the countrys 30th Independence Day celebrations on aug 31, 1987. Hence it was named after him.

In thanking Lee for his contributions and service during the handover ceremony in KOmTaR on august 1, Cm Lim said Wong was not only well known but also very experienced. Lee recommended Wong because he felt that the latters experience would benefit the State. Lee will continue to headhunt for Penang Government so that we can bring more talents to the State, added Cm Lim, who is also investPenang board chairman. Wong said he was humbled by the appointment and said he would help to strengthen investPenang. We will look towards an inspiring vision that includes all stakeholders and investors, he added.

14

- Address by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng at the Penang Forum in Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang In George Town on 4 August 2012 Penang As An International And Intelligent City Is Leveraged On Building A Liveable City That Attracts Human Talent And Formulates PeopleCentric Policies That Transforms Penang Into A Developed, Sustainable And Inclusive Economy Without Poverty. I wish to thank the Penang Forum for inviting me to be here to speak to you this morning on my vision for Penang as an International Liveable City. I think that it is a tribute to the vibrancy of Penangs civil society that the Penang Forum has continued year on year to organise and to mobilise Penangites to take an interest and to play their part in determining the future of their city and their State. I was told that I would be walking into a wolves pit but one of my favourite films is the Oscar award winning movie, Dancing With The Wolves. Even though I expect to be criticised and even roundly abused, this is part of participative democracy, which this 4 year old PR state government is proud to initiate as well as be involved. Even Lim Mah Hui who is so so critical continues to serve at Penang Institute and the MPPP as councillor, which is never found in BN-controlled states. But criticise us for the right reasons not for the wrong ones. We will admit honest mistakes but not bear the sins of the past. We will act against corruption and abuse of power but will also react strongly against the false allegations against our integrity. This government is clean and we are proud of our integrity in leadership which is acknowledged far and wide. We are proud of not only being the first state in Malaysia to enjoy freedom of speech but also freedom after speech with Speaker Squares at both the island and the mainland. As Chief Minister, my doors are always open to members of civil society in Penang, and I welcome this opportunity to engage with and to listen to the Penang public. Penang is never easy to govern much less rule. I was told that a former Ketua Setiausaha Negara once proclaimed that if a federal civil servant can handle the people of Penang and can do well in Penang, then he is good enough to handle a position anywhere in Malaysia. I think this is due to 2 success factors that is quintessentially Penang. One is to forge a strong civil society, society must first be civilized. In that respect Penang takes the lead with a strong education base and tradition with democratic institutions. Two, Penang boasts of producing some of the the best and brightest in Malaysia our quality human talent.

In 1951, A.S.M. Hawkins, the British Supervisor of Elections for the local elections for George Town, the first to be held in Malaya, reported that: Penang is a suitable ground for the growth of democratic institutions ... Its long and honourable record in education has given it a higher degree of literacy than other towns. [Local institutions] help to weld the people into a community not only of common interests, but of common ideals. There are also local pride and local patriotism, not split by the schizophrenia of a metropolitan town. A town that has on its lips the words Penang Leads, as Birmingham has Forward, and uses the motto neither as a prayer nor an aspiration, nor yet as a boast but as a simple assertion of fact, is obviously a place of quality. Penang is still a place of quality. But over the previous 18 years, we have seen the motto Penang Leads fall away from the lips of Penangites, and have suffered instead the indignity of being branded Pulau Pinang Darul Sampah by a certain doctor from Kubang Pasu. We have suffered from neglect and mismanagement. The historical Penang Port, once the principal port of the Federation, two and a half times larger than Port Klang in 1950, is now only No. 5 in Malaysia, behind Bintulu and Johor. The Federal government has given up and now offers to privatise it or piratise it since there was no open competitive tender. The neglect of our roads and physical infrastructure is such that no less than Lee Kuan Yew said in 2009 that we were in danger of falling behind Ipoh and Seremban. The only way out is to go back to basics follow the secrets of Penangs successes in the past, which is to be part of the global commnity. We must transform Penang to be an international and intelligent city with world class standards, best practices and a magnet for human talent. Penang as an international and intelligent city is leveraged on building a liveable city that attracts human talent and formulates people-centric policies that transforms Penang into a developed, sustainable and inclusive economy without poverty. Naturally this is focused on 3 key areas of growing the economy that is inclusive, establishing centers of excellence in our core competencies and improving liveability. We have the Penang Blueprint until shelved to allow a collaborative effort with the Federal Government through the Greater Penang Masterplan. I spoke to Datuk Seri Idris Jala last week who said that he is still trying to get a date with the Prime Minister to present the conclusions reached together. Lets hope it would not be after the general elections.

Being an international city does not mean that we have to ape cities like Singapore or Hong Kong or even KL. Penang has to find its own niche based on its own comparative strengths and advantages. So long as KL remains the administrative and financial centre of the country, Penang must play a secondary role. But being a secondary city does not mean that we can or should accept being second-class or secondrate. Secondary cities such as Barcelona, Melbourne and Edinburgh can be as rich and of comparable international stature as the capital cities in their own countries. Well-run secondary cities should be refreshing counterparts to mega-metropolises, given the latters pressures of grime, crime and time. Of course, we need a fair allocation of resources by the Central Government. But we also need a change in mindset, to one that demands and expects international standards of governance and development, and one that recognises Penang as a world-class city that is able to attract international talent and that is deserving of a place on the world stage. We want to build a Penang that has space and opportunities for all. One of the issues facing Penang today is a shortage of opportunities for our young people. A common lament that I often hear among parents in Penang is how they maintain large homes for Chinese New Year and Hari Raya when the family is together, but for the rest of the year their homes are empty because their sons and daughters have left for KL and Singapore to find jobs and to raise their families. As much as we welcome and respect our senior citizens, Penang deserves better than to become just a retirement community. A successful Penang will grow, and to be successful Penang has to grow in population, in order to develop the economic density that is necessary to create and sustain high-paying jobs, cultural facilities and good public transport. There are those who will oppose this, fearing increased traffic and property prices. But the truth is that the price of stagnation has been that Penang has lost the best and brightest of her sons and daughters, while over the past twenty years the populations of towns in the Klang Valley and Singapore have doubled through the economic migration of our young people. If increased economic pressures on space are the price of growth, then we must manage these pressures so that Penangites are not priced out of their own homeland. We believe that the State Government has an active role to play in the building and financing of affordable housing, and we have set up a State Housing Board and have recently announced a RM500

Turn to Page 15

Penang Forum 5
Story by Danny Ooi Pix by Chan Lilian

15

A 500-strong crowd made its presence felt at the Caring Society Complex for a public dialogue with CM Lim on August 2. The theme of the forum - A Public Dialogue with the CM: A Vision for an International Liveable City, was organised by Penang Forum 5. The dialogue was expected to be a highly strung one.... where sparks were expected to fly. Even CM Lim in his address to the audience, said that he had been told that he would be walking into a wolves pit, but added that one of his favourite films is the Oscar award winning movie, Dancing With The Wolves. CM Lim added that he expected to be roundly criticised, stating that is part of participative democracy. When the dialogue took off, the response was

good with people coming out to pose their questions and suggestions to CM Lim. Among the suggestions included charging motorists if they entered the inner city areas during peak hours, allocating the first 100m of reclaimed land reserved for public use and creating an integrated water resource management. A participant voiced concern over possible congestion following the completion of the second link in September this year. Another questioned why it had taken four years to put a lot number on a pile of rocks (reclaimed land) on a beach front known as sore thumb , and also the plan to build high rise buildings next to the sea. While the suggestions were constructive ones, the questions left much to the imaginative mind ! Traffic dispersal and the construction of high rise buildings on beaches are real, solid issues affecting the local communities.

Public dialogue such as this is welcomed as it allows the public to voice its concerns. One wonders if the questions were hard hitting ones? Were they questions that would have sent CM Lim and his representatives packing? For CM Lim it was no wolves pit. Any expectation of being criticised went out of the window. To round up, after all was said in the dialogue, it was an eight-year-old , Calvin Tans message for CM Lim that stole the limelight at the function. Calvin gathered his courage to tell CM Lim that Penang needs a new landmark to attract tourists, as KOMTAR was too old to take pictures. The young boys inspiring thoughts certainly caught the attention of the crowd. The crowd responded with laughter and applause. CM Lim replied that a plan for the construction of a Heritage Square around the old Sia Boey market is on the way.

Penang today has skilled workers and natural attractions

From Page 14
million fund to finance 18,000 affordable homes, including 1,328 in Jln SP Chelliah (Lines Rd) in George Town, 12,000 units in the new industrial park in Batu Kawan and the remainder elsewhere in the State. We have increased the minimum threshold for foreign purchases of land to RM2 million for landed property on the Island, [and we are also now reviewing development charges and registration fees for transfers of luxury properties to ensure that property development is not skewed towards speculative luxury developments for the few at the expense of affordable development for the many]. At the same time, we have to use our land more wisely through better planning. And we also want to improve connectivity between the Island and the Mainland to reduce the pressures on land on the Island and to spread the benefits of growth to the majority of the population who live on the Mainland. Penang today benefits from having not only a skilled and educated population but also the attractions of its hills, its beaches, its food and its colourful social and physical heritage. These are the treasures of Penang that attract people, investors and tourists to Penang and that make it the most liveable city in Malaysia and 8th most liveable in Asia. You have my assurance that this Government will protect these treasures. We have prepared or are in the midst of preparing Special Area Plans to conserve, improve and protect the George Town World Heritage Site, the Botanic Gardens and Penang Hill, and several public consultations have already taken place. We have also recently announced for public consultation our proposals for a new public park, open square and arts and culture centre beside the Prangin Canal as our Phase 5 of KOMTAR, and we hope to be able to carve out new public parks to reclaim public places for Penang in the future. We hope that even though the Federal Government jealously guards its control over public transport, the Penang Public Transport Masterplan will solicit Federal Government support and cooperation. Doing nothing is not an option. We have undertaken an ambitious building of public infrastructure. Whether we succeed or fail will be determined by the people of Penang. But let it not be said that we did not dare to try. I say that I am willing to fail trying than fail to try. This State Government has been elected by the people of Penang to end the stagnation of Penang and to deliver clean, efficient and equitable development. We will do so based on our belief that Penang can once again lead, and show the way forward for the rest of Malaysia.

Penangs Merdeka theme :

16

ONE NATION, ONE COUNTRY, ONE SOUL

The Pakatan Rakyat State Government in Penang has decided to adopt the Merdeka theme chosen by the national Pakatan Rakyat to reflect the unity of the coalition party comprising OF DAP, Keadilan and PAS. This is proof that Pakatan Rakyat has one voice and not as claimed by certain parties that we have our differences, Penang Deputy Chief Minister I, Dato Mansor Othman said in a statement on 9 August, 2012. earlier, as reported in Buletin Mutiaras front page of the 1-July issue, Penang had the theme Budaya Bersih, Merdekakan Rakyat which was decided in July, 2012. however, the exco Members of Penang PR State Government decided to use the same Merdeka theme as the

other Pakatan Rakyat states in Malaysia. hence, the Merdeka theme for 2012 is now SeBANGSA, SeNeGARA, SeJIWA or One Nation, One Country, One Soul. Mansor added, This change of theme proved Pakatan Rakyat is open to diversities and differing views. however, we are still able to agree on one theme to strengthen Pakatan Rakyat for the sake of the rakyat. Deputy Chief Minister II, Prof. Dr. P. Ramasamy who was at the press conference with Dato Mansor told members of the press, There is unity in diversity. In PR, we are able to discuss our differences and we have different opinions. Yet, we are able to reach an agreement.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister I, Dato Mansor Othman.

File photo of CM Lim Guan Eng, Kelantan Menteri Besar Tuan Guru Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and Pakatan Rakyat leader and Member of Parliament for Permatang Pauh Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.