Fire victims need further help, state told

GERAKAN will seek the assistance of the relevant ministries to help families on Lorong Perak in Jelutong, Penang, who lost their wooden houses in a fire on Sept 10.

State party chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said five houses were razed in the incident.

“The families need at least RM50,000 each to rebuild their houses.

“We will write to the ministries for assistance. I hope the assemblyman of the area (Batu Lanchang) and the state government will lend a hand,” he told reporters after presenting hampers and rice to the victims yesterday.

State Gerakan treasurer Ng Fook Onn, who was also present, said 31 people were left homeless in the blaze.

“We will try our best to secure funding for them and raise the necessary money for them to rebuild their homes,” said Ng, who is also Jelutong Gerakan division chairman.

Fire victims Phuah Sin Boon and Hong Kok Lak said the houses were built more than 90 years ago.

Phuah, a 52-year-old maintenance technician, said all the victims were born in the village.

“Our grandparents and parents lived here when the area was then a rambutan orchard and there was no electricity.

“We are now all staying with our relatives and friends. We hope the houses can be rebuilt in time for Chinese New Year,” he said.

Hong, 60, a salesman, said the families were not asking for much.

“We just want a roof over our heads and hope we can raise enough funds for that,” he said.


source: TheStar on-line

檳民政慰問西日落洞災黎

光明日报 2009-09-17

（檳城訊）檳州民政黨20餘人慰問西日落洞木屋區災黎，分發一個禮籃及一包白米給四個住家代表。

周三上午，民政黨檳州主席拿督丁福南在民青州團長胡棟強、吳洑安、陳耀峰、涂仲義、楊慧雲等各區協調員的陪同下，巡視災區及慰問災黎。

吳洑安說，災民需要一筆費用來重建家園，因此他會向中央福利部及首相署州發展局申請救濟金。他也希望州政府也能夠給予協助，向州元首基金申請撥款。

丁福南說，每間屋子的重建費用估計約5萬令吉，日落洞區民政黨會盡力給予協助，他也呼籲州政府積極幫助災民。

有居民反映火災時，村子旁的一道圍牆阻擋去路，導致他們無路可逃，居民建議打通圍牆，作為日后緊急逃生用途。

沏茶论明天

涂仲儀同志代表我黨參加由《光华日报》与威省韩江校友会联办的“沏茶论明天”政治讲座。

http://www.kwongwah.com.my/news/2009/05/05/94.html

Seaside land deal becomes hot topic

GEORGE TOWN: A piece of land which "disappeared" but "resurfaced" later has become an issue after it was revealed that it was given to a state executive council member for a nominal fee.

State Gerakan treasurer Ng Fook On said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng must come clean and explain why the state had gone against its own directive that no state exco member or government official would be given land.

Ng said it was revealed at the ongoing state assembly that an exco member and his wife were given the piece of land in Seberang Prai Utara last year.

On Wednesday, Barisan Nasional's Sungai Dua state assemblyman Datuk Jasmin Mohamed also raised the matter and Ng yesterday issued a statement demanding an answer from Guan Eng.

State Agriculture Committee chairman Law Choo Kiang attempted to contain the fallout from the issue during the state assembly sitting yesterday.

He said the piece of land facing the sea in Teluk Air Tawar, Butterworth, was granted to state Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng and his wife, Lucy Ooi.

Law said the land originally belonged to the couple but a massive part of it became eroded a few years after they purchased it in 1985. The land later resurfaced from natural coastal conditions and Hock Seng subsequently reapplied to get it back.

He and his wife submitted applications to the state land office but these were rejected under the then Gerakan-led state government.Hock Seng filed another application after the DAP-led Pakatan Rakyat took over the state government last year.

This time, it was finally approved. "The land belonged to them and it has since been returned to the original owners," Law said.

Meanwhile, Hock Seng said he did not realise that the land would be eroded when he first purchased it."I applied to get it back when it resurfaced in 1998 but the land office rejected my application. I reapplied for it in 2006 but it was again rejected. I only managed to get the title back last year," he said.

The land issue is not the only one raised by Gerakan.Ng also wanted Guan Eng to explain why he had appointed himself as chairman of the Penang Tender Board.

He said Guan Eng should explain how appointing himself as the board chairman could be described as a transparent move, in line with the chief minister's self proclaimed CAT (competency, accountability and transparency) principles."His move to appoint himself as the chairman of the board is unprecedented."

This is a strange move by the chief minister and he should explain why he chose to be the tender board chairman." Ng, who is former Batu Lancang assemblyman, said in the previous state administration no politician or state exco member sat on the tender board and it was headed by the state secretary.

He said Penang's tender board should be independent and no politicians should sit on it.He said Guan Eng had stated before that the state government would be fair and transparent in the award of state projects and added it was now doubtful if he would be able to keep the promise.

Wrong of Guan Eng to lash out at critics, says Gerakan

GEORGE TOWN: It is not right for Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to lash out at those who criticised the proposed Tiger Park project in Relau, a Gerakan leader said yesterday.

Penang Gerakan treasurer Ng Fook On said Lim had sought the public’s views when he mooted the idea.

“But when the people gave their views, instead of thanking them, he is unhappy,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

Ng said the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (Mycat), Sahabat Alam Malaysia and World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia had given their professional views when opposing the project.

It was reported yesterday that Lim had “roared” at critics of the project, saying that they should come up with constructive criticism.

He said their objections should be substantiated with facts.

Ng, who is also a spokesman for the Penang Gerakan CAT Watch, said the country had 40 zoos but maintaining them was a challenge to the authorities.

“WWF-Malaysia had said that the issue of procuring tigers for the proposed park was problematic as wild tigers cannot be removed from their natural habitat under the Protection of Wild Life Act,” he said.

Ng said there was also an incident in Thailand in 2004 when 23 tigers died from bird flu at a private zoo after being fed carcasses of chicken infected with the disease.

Penang Gerakan’s CAT Watch is a watchdog project by the party to monitor the performance of Pakatan Rakyat’s CAT (Competency, Accountability and Transparency) state government.

“煮酒论变天”

(槟城4日讯)自古以来，有人说：酒能壮起英雄胆，也能沸腾烈士的血，更能掏出心里话......由《光华日报》和韩江学院联合主办的“煮酒论变天”政治讲座，将以一杯杯的香醇美酒，引领各政党领袖说出“真心话”！

这项配合308大选成立一周年而主办的“煮酒论变天”政治讲座，将于3月8日（星期日）在韩江学院的多元用途冷气礼堂举行。

届时，本报将邀请民主行动党全国政治教育局副主任兼槟首长幕僚长黄泉安国会议员、人民公正党全国宣传主任蔡添强国会议员、民政党槟州秘书汪天来、马华全国中委兼槟州妇女组主任陈清凉，以及著名评论员拿督谢诗坚前来把酒谈政治，不吐不快！

内容请翻阅：

http://www.kwongwah.com.my/news/2009/03/09/133.html

老虎公园恐威胁周边民众 吴洑安促谨慎考虑

老虎公园恐威胁周边民众　吴洑安促谨慎考虑

二零零九年三月二十四日 晚上十一时五十五分

（槟城24日讯）民政党槟州联委会财政吴洑安促请槟州民联政府谨慎衡量兴建老虎公园计划的安全性，特别是其建议地点在湖内人民公园附近。人民公园每天有许多民众进行休闲活动，四周也围绕着民宅，一旦发生老虎出笼事件，后果不堪设想。

吴洑安指出，槟州首席部长林冠英表示槟州政府有意在湖内人民公园附近兴建老虎公园是为符合槟州政府的“猫”形像，因为老虎也称为大猫。这番言论显示有关计划未经周详的深层研究和全套管理系统，引发市民不安和不满的情绪乃是预料中事。

除了不能忽略老虎公园可能对周围市民人身安全构成威胁外，吴洑安认为槟州政府也应该严正看待因老虎传染禽流感病毒的风险。

“值得关注的是，于2004年初，H5N1型 禽流感病毒在亚洲多个国家和地区蔓延，估计造成数百亿美元损失和26人死亡。当时，泰国因出现禽流感由鸡只传给老虎的新疫情，导致拉差龙虎园著名旅游景点也陷入禽流感的困扰，当中400多只老虎，超过80只患病丧生或被捕杀，还不得不闭门谢绝游人。”

吴洑安表示，虽然槟州目前没有禽流感疫情，但槟州政府应未雨绸缪，做足应对措施包括研究设立动物疾病预防控制中心，以确定最有效的禽流感病毒检测技术。

他表示，老虎公园的建议也肯定会遭到许多动物权益保护者的反对，因为私人饲养老虎并不能为挽救这些濒临动物带来什么好处，反而有可能为野生动物的非法贩卖活动大开方便之门。

檳民政稱電郵投訴‧批評羅興強英文差

檳民政稱電郵投訴‧批評羅興強英文差
Created 03/03/2009 - 20:05

(檳城)民政黨檳州聯委會秘書汪天來促請行動黨領導的檳州政府能夠言行一致落實“貓政府”（CAT）口號，在委任行政議員時秉持選賢與能的原則，否則一些表現不稱職的議員遭受外界的批評，尤其是國外人士，不僅檳州政府的能力受質疑，更會令整個檳州蒙羞。

汪天來說，檳州行政議員的職務是決策者之一，帶領檳州和人民邁向繁榮與進步的發展。可是，近期檳州一名行政議員出席澳洲墨爾本旅遊展銷會進行檳州旅遊促銷工作時，被旅遊業者通過電郵投訴且質疑這位高官的能力，令檳州人民感到震驚和擔憂。

他指出，投訴者在電郵批評代表檳州的高官在旅遊展銷會的表現差強人意，完全無法掌握英語表達能力，導致其他國家的代表認為檳州缺乏合適、稱職和有效率的代表。

“投訴者也不明白，為何這位高官竟有保鑣隨行。這事件已引起州內各語文媒體的報導，且指名道姓指這名高官正是掌管檳州旅遊委員會的羅興強行政議員。”

汪天來在文告中也質問羅興強隨行保鑣的必要性，因為是浪費公帑的之舉，同時為何檳州首長林冠英需要經由第三者告訴他，他的行政議會成員低於標準水平？

Source URL: http://www.guangming.com.my/node/43977

譚詠發向黃泉安開戰

譚詠發向黃泉安開戰 補選證明誰能為民服務

(檳城20日訊)行動黨市議員向行動黨國會議員開戰！

檳島市議員譚詠發今天向日落洞區國會議員黃泉安開戰，除出示本身服務日落洞選區的證據，也挑戰后者辭去國會議員職，兩人一起進行補選，以證明誰才是真正為日落洞選民服務。

不過，黃泉安接受《中國報》電話訪問時，表明不會辜負選民而辭職，他說，“我等他放馬過來，下一屆大選再來挑戰我。”

火箭行動隊隊長兼檳島市議員譚詠發，是不滿該黨日落洞區國會議員黃泉安，指明道姓譚氏雖來自日落洞，但卻什麼選區都服務，以致不能照顧日落洞區。

譚詠發今早在蘇洛雙溪檳榔召開記者會，炮轟黃泉安對他作出不公平的言論。

“黃泉安身為日落洞區國會議員，不要亂說話，自打嘴巴，究竟他有沒有為自己的選區服務，人民心中有數。”

譚詠發出示為日落洞區選民解決問題的文件，並指自己已解決日落洞大路的交通燈問題。
“為什么連這個小問題，黃泉安身為國會議員也沒有辦法解決呢？”

他提醒黃泉安，市議員服務人民，是不分選區的。

“再過一星期，黃泉安就已擔任1年的日落洞區國會議員，他究竟有為日落洞選民做過什么，在國會中有否針對日落洞區的發展發言嗎？”

居民投訴沒服務

他說，黃泉安自己沒服務，就不要賴別人沒有服務。

譚詠發說：“很多居民投訴，去年308大選后至今，不見日落洞區國州議員服務，他們應醒悟，若情況持續下去，以后不要說椅子，甚至連地上也沒得坐。”

譚詠發一直以來是黨內非主流派，在他患上腎病后，已傳出不再受委擔任市議員。

等譚詠發放馬過來黃泉安：不會辭職

黃泉安：下屆大選，我等譚詠發放馬過來。針對譚詠發挑戰黃泉安辭職，舉行補選一事，黃泉安接受《中國報》電訪時表明不會辭職，不過，他等譚詠發放馬過來。

黃泉安說，308大選時，他贏得3萬493張票，以多數票1萬6246張贏得日落洞區國會議席，他不可能辜負選民。

他說，補選是勞民傷財，他不會與譚詠發一般見識，若譚詠發真要挑戰，就在下一屆大選挑戰他。

至於譚詠發指他沒有服務選民一事，他說，下屆大選選民自會通過選票表達，他不需要跟譚詠發胡鬧。

他也指譚詠發只會“內部睡懶覺，在外號呱呱叫，”同一個投訴召開六七次記者會，而且身為行動黨大隊長，背后怎會沒有隊員。

但他表示不要願再多談譚詠發的問題。

發表傷害言論譚詠發等黃泉安道歉

譚詠發說，在黃泉安發表傷害他的言論后，他用一星期時間冷靜，並等待黃泉安向他道歉。
他說，黃泉安通過媒體批評他，也引起許多他的支持者的不滿。

“雖然我也認為有問題應該內部解決，但是他先通過媒體炮轟我，所以我也通過媒體炮轟他。”

他說，黃泉安雖然是批評地方政府及市議員，連帶地連掌管地方政府事務的曹觀友也被批評。

“但黃泉安不該指明道姓提我，說我沒有服務日落洞，這對我是不公平的，我有服務日落洞區選民。”

Penang exco man rapped

The Star Online > Nation
Tuesday March 3, 2009

Penang exco man rapped
By K. KASTURI DEWI

GEORGE TOWN: The circulation of an e-mail on the alleged incompetence of a state executive councillor, including his dismal performance at an exposition in Australia, has come to the attention of the state government.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he would investigate the allegations against State Tourism Development, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Danny Law.

“I can only comment after reading the e-mail,” he told reporters at his office yesterday.
The e-mail was sent by a “concerned and frustrated Penangite” who claimed to be a tourism industry player for 15 years.

The man, identified as TK Choong Lim, criticised Law for failing to carry himself well as a Penang representative at the recent Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo 2009 in Melbourne from Feb 17 to 18.

“He (Law) was not able to communicate properly and fluently in English which is a must if you were to attend such international fairs.

“How does he expect to market Penang if the foreigners don’t understand a word of what he is saying?” he wrote in the e-mail which was sent out to Lim and other industry players.

Lim said Law failed to understand the concept of marketing and the difference between consumer and trade fairs.

Law could not be reached for comments as he is away in Macau.

Meanwhile, Guan Eng announced that state Local Government, Traffic Management and Environment Committee chairman Chow Kon Keow would hand over his environment portfolio to Health, Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh.

He also confirmed that Deputy Chief Minister 1 Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin’s religious affairs portfolio has been given to state Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim.

Guan Eng said more changes could be expected “as and when it is necessary.”

*******************************************************************************

My English is good, says exco man Law
2009/03/05

GEORGE TOWN: State Tourism Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang spoke confidently in English at his press conference yesterday. He made a couple of mistakes in the 30-minute press conference but strongly protested the criticisms on his command of the language.

To a statement by a reporter that it was sometimes a "pain" to listen to his speech, he replied, "but you can understand what I said".

Law had called the press conference in defence against an email claiming he had brought shame to Penang during the recent Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo 2009 in Melbourne from Feb 17 to Feb 19.

The sender, identified as T.K. Choong Lim, had sent the email to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng recently, alleging that Law had not carried himself well and was unable to communicate fluently in English.

Choong, who claimed to have 15 years of experience in the tourism industry, also accused Law of being too myopic, lacking the knowledge with regards to his portfolio and charisma.

Law dismissed Choong's accusations.

He said feedback from several tourism players in the state showed that they were impressed with his performance and level of English.

He said even Lim (Guan Eng) had not complained about his English.

"These are baseless allegations and written out of spite.

"It is not right to judge me based on only an email," Law said, adding that in a scale of one to 100, he rated himself at 60 for his fluency.

Asked if he was willing to take up an English course to polish his skills, he said he did not have time as he had more than 300 dinners to attend in a year.

On why he believed that the e-mail was written out of spite, Law said the state government had recently rejected claims by some tourism players to host dinner for tourists.

"Maybe, he is one of those affected."
________________________________________
© Copyright 2009 The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad. All rights reserved.

***********************************************************************************

The Star Online > Nation
Wednesday March 4, 2009

MCA and Gerakan slam Guan Eng

By MANJIT KAUR

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng must be held responsible for the alleged incompetence of executive council member Danny Law.

Several MCA and Gerakan leaders wanted Lim to be held accountable for choosing Law to head the state Tourism Development, Cul-ture, Arts and Heritage Com-mittee.

They were commenting on an e-mail which alleged that Law was incompetent, citing his “dismal performance” at an exposition in Australia.

State MCA deputy chairman Eng Hiap Boon said if Lim could not find a capable representative to promote the state abroad, perhaps an agency should be hired to do the job.

“If a Pakatan Rakyat leader is not qualified to explain and express his views to the world, he should not make a fool of himself, and give Penang a bad name.

“There are already a few blunders made by him (Law), including on the Kings of Tennis fiasco, therefore, I suggest that the Chief Minister do something soon to rectify the problem,” he said.

It was reported yesterday that a “concerned and frustrated Penan-gite”, identified as TK Choong Lim, had sent an e-mail to the Chief Minister stating that Law was unable to communicate fluently in English during the international fair.

TK, who claimed to be a tourism industry player for 15 years, said Law had failed to carry himself well as a Penang representative at the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo 2009 in Melbourne from Feb 17 to 18.

Penang Wanita MCA chief Tan Cheng Liang said “quality” representatives were important and that good Barisan Nasional leaders had been “swept away” in the political tsunami of the general election last year.

“The Pakatan leadership is very quick to criticise Barisan representatives, now they have to look at themselves, and the mistakes that they are making.”

Gerakan secretary-general Teng Chang Yeow, the former exco member for tourism, said that when Barisan ruled the state, the Chief Minister would hold weekly meetings with the exco members and evaluate their capabilities.

“English is really important, and if Law cannot communicate properly in that language, maybe he should just take care of countries like China, Japan and South Korea,”he added.