SOME of the Chung Ling High School rowers involved the dragon boat tragedy did not wear life jackets, an inquest heard on November 2. Lim Yeong Zhi, 16, said that he had worn the jacket when climbing into the boat, but removed it halfway through his training, saying that the jacket hurt his arms. Others said that they did not see any reason for them to use a jacket; some had completed previous training sessions without wearing a jacket.

A witness noted that one of the fatalities, teacher Chin Aik Siang, died while wearing a life jacket, his body stuck to the boat when he was found. Students involved in the accident said that they had been pulled down by the undercurrents, and they struggled to swim to safety. A teacher and five students died that day. Read here.

State assembly begins

At the start of the Penang State Assembly, the state government announced a RM900mil budget with a deficit of just over RM107mil for 2011. This is a 26.14 per cent increase over the 2010 budget. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng argued that the deficit is lower than the previous year. "The deficit budget takes into account the funding for social programmes such as RM20 million for senior citizens and hardcore poor, RM12 million for schools, RM5 million for welfare, RM2.75 million for religious programmes and RM150 million for the state development fund." Read here.

The state government also announced that, starting in 2011, Penang will effectively ban plastic bags from the state. Lim said that, according to studies, 32 million plastic bags were saved between July 2009 and October 26, 2010, under the No Plastic Bags programme. Hawkers will be given a 50% discount on their licenses as an incentive to reduce their usage of plastic bags. Read here.

State Opposition leader Azhar Ibrahim was banned from the state assembly for six months for allegedly making seditious statements. Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya will take his place. Read here.

The assembly was marred by a protest outside the State Assembly building. More than 100 people demonstrated outside the grounds, and one protester was detained by the police. The protesters were made up of Komtar kiosk traders and landowners from Kampung Genting in Balik Pulau, and banners accusing the state government of cheating the people were displayed prominently. Read here.

Penang Umno Youth chief Norman Zahalan brought a bag he claimed held RM23,700 of the alleged duit haram, saying he wanted to return the money to the state. He was turned away. “Norman is here to cause trouble," said State Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh. "The procedure (to return the money) is clear." Read here.

Other news

• Preserving Malaysia's architectural jewel: There is a sublime beauty about Penang's ruined buildings; suffused with melancholy, they sit like jilted lovers, neglected and brooding in the gathering undergrowth. Each relays an echo from the past, as its story crumbles and fades. Read here.
• PAC: Set Up Committee To Monitor Quarry Activities: The Penang Public Accounts Committee has proposed the setting up of a special committee to monitor quarry activities and check sand theft. Read here.
• Penang diocese evicts 100 year tenants: The Malaysian Diocese of Penang is under fire for allegedly attempting to evict residents from church-owned houses without adequate compensation. Read here.
• State Government Urged To Get Ready To Manage New Penang Hill Funicular Train: The new Penang Hill funicular train will be handed over to be managed by the DAP state government once it is ready by end of the year. Read here.
• Water surcharge takes effect: A new surcharge for water consumption in Penang took effect today, even as as Gerakan warned of "long-term serious implications" of such a move. Read here.

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