DAP plans reforms in Penang, Umno upset with coming changes
By : Sharanjit Singh and Audrey Dermawan – NST Online.

GEORGE TOWN:

The DAP-led Penang government has outlined several reforms it plans to undertake in the state administration, including awarding government procure ment contracts by open tender.
Newly appointed chief minister Lim Guan Eng said the party also planned to immediately review the current practice of having only political appointees as representatives in the municipal councils.

Speaking to reporters, Lim said effective immediately, information about government contracts and tender bids would be uploaded to an Internet portal for public scrutiny.

“We want to run a state administration free from cronyism, corruption and systematic inefficiency.

“Instead, we advocate a stakeholders economy for all based on the principle of shared prosperity in an equitable manner,” he said.
Lim said he along with all exco members, state assembly speaker, deputy speaker and the respective heads of the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) and Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) would also be making a public declaration of their personal assets.

He added that the DAP-led coalition would also attempt to restore local government elections before the end of its term.

In the interim, the state government intends to exercise Section 10(2) of the Local Government Act by appointing professionals and non-governmental organisation representatives as members of local government.

In an immeidate reaction, Penang Umno secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim warned that if the new state government goes ahead with its plan to do away with the NEP’s practices, it will anger Malays in the state.

“It will also result in unrest because they will face all sorts of hardship,” he said.

Despite 50 years of Independence, Azhar said the Bumiputera’s equity was still lacking by 18.7 per cent. The group has yet to achieve the 30 per cent target.

Azhar claimed the DAP, unlike Barisan Nasional, had never supported and encouraged the NEP.

“They claimed to represent the people of all races but are they really doing so?” he said.

Since the party had been chosen by the people to lead the state, along with Parti Keadilan Rakyat, they should be responsible for each and everyone’s well being, Azhar said.

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Uncle Lim,

I think this UMNO crook, Datuk Azhar Ibrahim, is making seditious statement and using the word “Malay” as an excuse to carry on with UMNO’s NEP policies in the new Penang State government. It’s like saying “you better do it or else…..” Someone should charge him under the Sedition Act.