AS EXPECTED, the government’s RM60bil stimulus package announced by DPM Najib Tun Razak on March 10, drew diverse reactions. Business Times reports about the reservations over its general implementation (read here) while The Edge carries feedback from captains of industry and analysts (read here and here). Read here for a comment by The Star’s P Gunasegaram.

The more Penang-centric reactions focused on tourism and infrastructure:

• Tourism players tell how the RM200million could boost their industry. Read here.
• Penang continues to push for an LCCT despite the RM250mil allocation for the Penang International Airport. Read here.
• CM Lim Guan Eng wants an additional RM11.5bil for 21 other state projects citing that “if Penang fails, Malaysia will fail because 30 per cent of the total export and tourists originate from and visit Penang”. He also lamented the lack of direct aid to “the man on the street”. Read here and here.
• Gerakan wants all five mega projects promised by Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi in 2006 for Penang to be implemented in view of the large stimulus package. Read here.

• Scepticism over investment reports: Independent journalist Anil Netto has questioned the investment reports given by the state and corporates saying that, in reality, there is much uncertainty. Read here and here. He said: “Putting a rosy spin on such a dire situation is unhelpful and misleading. Can we not begin thinking of alternatives to our export-oriented FDI-driven economic model?”
• More busing woes in the offing: It looks as if the 200 RapidPenang buses for the state are not a sure thing. The company says that if there are not enough depots, the buses will be diverted to RapidKL. Read here. The state government and the opposition have reacted with one saying there are enough depots and the other asking the federal government to step in. Read here and here.
• Opposition Gerakan becoming more vocal: Gerakan has formed a “CAT Watch” programme to monitor the government (read here) while calling on the federal government to (1) revive five mega projects promised in 2006 and (2) focus on technology and productivity. Read here and here.
• Spat with New Straits Times: CM Lim Guan Eng’s granting of an exclusive interview to The Star on his one-year tenure (read here) gave rise to a series of events which caused other media houses to criticise him. It was particularly open in the case of the News Straits Times which carried two critical articles. Read here and here. Anil Netto has given a more balanced picture in his blog, clarifying the reason for the CM allegedly banning NST's writer and arguing against authoritarian tendencies among Pakatan leaders. Read here. Update 16.03.09: The CM responds. Read here and here.
• The bridge, the bridge: A blogger has continued the debate asking again whether Penang indeed needs a second bridge (read here) while Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong wants its cost to be cut and has urged PM Abdullah Badawi to see through the project. Read here and here.
• Two hillslope projects to go on: Surin by Bolton Bhd and Beverly Hills by Taman Ratu Developers Sdn Bhd which were issued temporary stop-work orders by the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) late last year have been allowed to proceed with more stringent conditions. Read here.
• George Town a favourite among European expats: Kuala Lumpur and George Town are among the Top 10 stay-and-work destinations in Asia for European expats. Read here.
• Penang students top in English: At SPM 2008, students in Penang scored 79.9% passes in English compared with the national rate of 73.8%. Read here.

Comments (0)

Show/Hide comments

Show/Hide comment form