THE Penang State Legislative Assembly, which convened its third session on Monday (May 3, 2010), had a very eventful week. Representatives from all sides of the socio-political divide roundedly criticised statements made by Opposition leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim who warned, among other things, that there would be a repeat of the May 13 riots if the people lost confidence in the authorities. He has been referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee. Read here

Gerakan secretary-general and Penang Gerakan Vice Chairman Teng Chang Yeow said Gerakan is utterly aghast with remarks made by the assemblyman. “His statements are seditious, racist and outrageous and uncalled for. It can also disrupt the racial harmony currently enjoyed by Malaysians since Malaysia gained independence in 1957... We strongly condemn such remarks, particularly coming from a senior Umno leader in Penang.” Read here

Azhar, who recanted his remarks, stated that he had immediately retracted his statement during the sitting, which the speaker had accepted. “My retraction of the statement shows that I did not intend to hurt anyone's feelings as I uphold and appreciate the unity, harmony and peace which has existed all these years under the BN rule.” Read here

Read below for some other reactions to the incident:

• The state Pakatan Rakyat Youth Secretariat lodged a police report against Datuk Azhar saying that it was to enable the police to open an investigation on him (Azhar). “Although Azhar has been referred to the state legislature's Rights and Privileges Committee, we still want the police to investigate the matter”, said the secretariat's programme coordinator, Syed Mikael Rizal Aidid. Read here
• Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) has decided not to condone Datuk Azhar’s remarks. “The state BN Committee does not condone the statement made by Datuk Azhar Ibrahim in the State Assembly yesterday, which resulted in him being referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee,” said Penang BN secretary Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya in a statement issued after an emergency meeting. Hilmi said Azhar had clarified to the BN committee and expressed regret over his comments. Read here
• The Edge Financial Daily has also published a strongly-worded opinion piece calling the antics a  “circus”: “From the word go, the state assembly members from both sides of the divide were just clowning around. But no one found their antics funny. Well, they certainly made fools of the 1.6 million Penangites they are supposed to represent.” Read here.

Other news from the assembly

• Claim that Penang Malays are sidelined unfounded, says Lim: Accusations that the Penang state government has sidelined Malays are unfounded, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng told the state assembly. Read here
• Rep questions award of tenders by Penang Government: Datuk Azhar Ibrahim today questioned in the state assembly the Penang government's award of several tenders, which he claimed were not conducted in a transparent manner. Read here
• Consolidate govt depts to create effective organisations: A government backbencher has suggested the state government undertake a re-engineering exercise to consolidate government departments and agencies which currently overlapped in their jurisdictions and job scopes. Read here
• Penang is a sin city: Datuk Azhar Ibrahim claims that Penang has become the national centre for vice. He said there had been several newspaper reports about anti-vice raids conducted by the police in the state. Read here. His views have been denied by the police. Read here
  

• Government allocates for economic advancement of Penang Malays: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today the government would make a financial provision to enable a foundation based in Penang to help in the economic advancement of Malays in the state. Read here
• Penang Goverment criticised over mistakes In state tourism pamphlet: The Penang government was today criticised for its insensitivity and lack of understanding on the state's culture over mistakes in the state tourism pamphlet. Read here
• Penang Port to move: The 224-year-old Penang Port, the oldest in the country, may be relocated to a more suitable location if the Transport Ministry accepts suggestions by port users. Read here
• Taiyo financially sound to manage BJCC, says owner: Taiyo Group owner and managing director Datuk Euro Sakamoto said the group is financially sound to undertake the management of the Bukit Jambul Country Club (BJCC), which is owned by Penang Development Corporation's (PDC) subsidiary Island and Golf Properties (IGP) Sdn Bhd. Read here

For more news on Penang from May 3 to 9, 2010 , please click here

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