THE Penang government, in particular the Chief Minister, faced a series of verbal attacks via the media over a number of issues involving Malay and Muslim matters last week. 

• Prophet Muhammad Birthday procession: While the alleged discrimination against Malay petty traders continued to hog headlines, another allegation – that of cancelling a procession on Prophet Muhammad’s birthday – started another media frenzy. Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali's outburst about “lies” by an “anti-Malay” CM Lim prompted a stiff reply (read here and here). Joining the fray were personalities such as Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin (read here) and former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Badawi (read here).
• Petty traders and alleged assault threat: The issue of alleged discrimination against Malay petty traders took a dramatic turn. Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Abdul Rahim Abu Bakar made a police report against Penang Malay Chamber of Commerce president Rizal Faris Mohideen for allegedly threatening him and attempting to assault him at the Penang airport. Representatives of the national chamber were in Penang to talk to the state government on the matter of discrimination (read here and here). Meanwhile, the Penang Transport Council (PTC) called the parties involved not to “politicise the issue”. The coordinator of its Task Force on Traffic Decongestion and Management, Ahmad Chik, said among the causes of traffic jams in Penang were illegal parking and illegal hawking (read here)

Amidst all these, Bayan Baru MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohd Hashim announced his departure from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to become an independent MP (read here). He was predictably courted by Umno (read here) and asked to resign some of his posts (read here). The resignation prompted PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim to declare his disappointment and apologise for selecting wrong candidates. Read here 

Other news

• Penang Investment Tourism Office (PITO) in Singapore: InvestPenang is to set up the Penang Investment Tourism Office (PITO) in Singapore soon, in an effort to draw tourism and investment to the state. Read here
• Dragon boat tragedy inquest? Police have recommended that an inquest be held into the dragon boat tragedy which claimed six lives off Macallum Street Ghaut last month. Read here
• Chinese New Year celebrations: Kek Lok Si Temple all lit up (read here), pictures with 2.4m God of Prosperity (read here), dotting of dragon and lion eyes (read here)
• Disharmony in the Penang Symphony Orchestra: A simmering feud between senior members of the Penang State Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (Pessoc) and its new board reached a crescendo when Pessoc officials went to the musicians’ homes and took back musical instruments they have been using for years. Read here and here
• Half fare on Rapid Penang buses for above-60s: Beginning Feb 15, elderly folks aged 60 years and above will need only pay half the fare for their journeys on Rapid Penang buses. Read here
• Chinese schools to know quantum of aid next month: The Penang Government may announce the quantum of financial aid for each Chinese schools by the end of next month. State executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow said the state had set tomorrow as the deadline for schools to submit their applications for the aid. Read here
• Council of consuls: Foreign consul generals and consuls based in Penang gathered in Komtar for the inaugural meeting of the Penang Council of Foreign Consuls. CM Lim, who chaired the closed-door meeting, said the council was established to consolidate cooperation and relations as well as to encourage more consuls to choose Penang as a base. Read here

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