IN A series of articles by The Malaysian Insider last week which focused on Penang and its economy, there was a clear call for better state-federal cooperation in order for the state and national economies to move ahead more strongly.

InvestPenang executive committee chairman Datuk Lee Kah Choon makes the case for how Penang should get as much attention as other states because the money made here can “be used to fund roads and bridges elsewhere”. Penang has become a primary component in the engine of Malaysia’s economy.

“A business-minded person would put his money in Penang so that he can get a better return. That’s why the federal government should put more attention in Penang. The one ringgit that you put here... the returns are higher than if you have put that money in Iskandar (Iskandar Development Region, Johor) or Pahang. The more you make, the more you must reinvest. But if you have a federal government that does not make policies with this in mind, then Penang suffers and central government suffers [in the] long term.” Read here

This idea was also echoed by the Special Officer to Chief Minister of Penang, Jeffrey Chew, who in this opinion piece, stated that the federal government should heed the call of the Japanese ambassador to address the issue of human resources constraints and inconsistent supply of electric power for the manufacturing industries in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, other than better federal-state relations, factors like attracting highly-skilled human resources and being a hub for high-value operations such as design and development (D&D) and research and development (R&D), also play important roles in bringing Penang and Malaysia by association out of the middle-income economy trap. Read here

Save Penang Botanic Gardens

In other news, a group called “Save Penang Botanic Gardens” wants the RM7mil expansion plan for the Botanic Gardens to be halted un­­til a public briefing on it is organised. The group, spearheaded by the Penang Heritage Trust said group members were not consulted on the project and neither was the plan displayed. “Attempts by non-governmental organisations to put forward recommendations have come to nought. The two archways being constructed near the entrance of the gardens are simply horrible and ugly.” Read here. View here for pictures of the archways and here for what could be the reasons responsible for the current Botanic Gardens predicament.

Other news

• Penang sets up advisory committee on third vote: Penang has set up a legal advisory committee, with former Bar Council president Yeo Yang Poh as its chairman, to look into the legal aspects of carrying out local government elections. Read here
• Heritage developer Boustead relents: The last of the four developers who were asked to scale down their projects to meet Unesco requirements has agreed in principle to reduce the height of its proposed project. Read here
• Penang signs Kyoto Protocol: Penang is the first state in the country to become a signatory of the Kyoto Protocol. Read here
• Monorail project yet to take off: The 1km monorail test track in Batu Kawan in Penang, which was given the nod by the state government in late November last year, has yet to get off the ground. Read here
• Celebrity Walk scheme a ‘very bad idea’: While the state works on the guidelines for its “Celebrity Walk”, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) is up in arms over the idea. Read here

For more news on Penang from March 22 to 28, 2010 , please click here

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