FEDERAL-STATE ties reached a further low when Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan came out strongly in defence of Penang state development officer (SDO) Nik Ali Mat Yunus after last week’s spat between the SDO and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. Mohd Sidek said no disciplinary action will be taken against Nik Ali as he was forced to defend himself when untrue statements were made against him by the CM. Read here and here

CM Lim said Mohd Sidek's decision not to take any action against Nik Ali for openly criticising the chief minister has raised questions about his commitment to improve and reform the civil service. “We have exposed a 'little Napoleon'. What is shocking is that he is being defended by the Chief Secretary himself who has before this told us about the need to eradicate little Napoleons from the government.” Read here and here

• Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon: The spat should be resolved amicably and professionally. Read here and here
• PM Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak: The Cabinet could not accept Lim's action of hitting out at Nik Ali to the extent of tarnishing the image of the federal officer. He said as Chief Minister, Lim should be tactful when reprimanding officers over issues and should do it behind closed doors. Read here and here 
• MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek: Penangites will suffer in the ongoing spat. “If the politicians keep fighting, they will lose focus on development. In the end, the people of Penang will not benefit.” Read here

The Penang Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which visited the area in Kampung Kenanga where sand theft was said to have occurred, found five gaping holes left by the sand mining activity. Its chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the PAC would ask the state Survey Department to investigate the size and depth of the depressions created and to present its findings at the inquiry on Aug 2. Read here. Read here for more on the PAC investigation.

Meanwhile, the spat has produced a deluge of opinions. In an Edge Financial Daily article entitiled “Guan Eng’s spat with officer brings federal-state ties to a low ebb” (22.07.10), the writer states that “Having been under BN rule for over 50 years, it was a new experience altogether to suddenly have to serve an 'opposition' government... Among those who have adjusted well to the 'situation' are high-ranking federal officials. Regardless of who their political masters are, at the end of the day, these civil servants are answerable to the public that they serve.” Read here

In another article (“Guan Eng-SDO spat a test of civil service impartiality”, The Malaysian Insider, 26.07.10), Universiti Malaya Law Faculty associate professor Azmi Sharom and political analyst Wong Chin Huat were of the opinion that the civil service needed to understand the distinction between political parties and government. UM’s Azmi pointed out that the duty of the civil service is to serve the government. “The civil service should not have any loyalty to the party,” Wong said. “The civil service must serve the government of the day... It’s called administration neutrality,” he said, adding that ultimately the public were the bosses of the civil service. Read here

Lastly, in an Aliran opinion piece (“Restructuring federal-state relations: Critical issue in next polls”, 22.07.10), the writer stated that the spat highlighted the way the federal government dominates the state government. “An important issue in the next general election, no doubt, must be the restructuring of federal-state relations. Our federal system of government needs to be transformed from a highly centralised to a more equal and co-operative one.” Read here

Other news

• Boot for polystyrene: The Penang government will embark on its drive next month to stop the use of polystyrene food packs at all licensed eateries. In the meantime, the state is encouraging and promoting biodegradable containers as an alternative. Read here
• Penang homes are investors’ choice: Properties in Penang will continue to remain a favourite choice among local and foreign investors and are expected to show returns that are above the national average. Read here
• State to rebrand RM1mil complex: A RM1mil centralised complex built to resettle hawkers along the scenic Tanjong Tokong is now in a state of neglect and disrepair. The Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) built the Tanjong Tokong Pavilion complete with 60 hawker lots and a dining area five years ago. Read here
• Eating under the trees: The motley collection of food stalls at Lengkok Burmah may not be much to look at but there’s good food to be had there. Although Pulau Tikus is quite a built-up area, there are several pockets here and there that are still empty. One such pocket is a piece of land in Lengkok Burmah, just opposite Jalan Raja Gopal, which has become another of Penang’s popular chiu jang khar or “under the trees” eateries. Read here
• Potential to return to glorious trading days: Potential investors have approached Penang Port to set up shop in the port area to tap the export potential of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle. Read here
  

For more news on Penang from July 19 to 25, 2010 , please click here 

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