GEORGE TOWN, Fri: The Penang Government has directed the state Economic Planning Unit and other authorities to come up with measures to expedite the construction of the Second Penang Bridge. This follows an assurance by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on Thursday that the federal government would not discriminate against Penang and would continue to co-operate with the state on projects that would benefit the people.Lim said he would request for a report from the state EPU and the relevant agencies on the status of land acquisition for the project after a meeting with Tan Sri Zaini Omar, the head of the task force for the implementation of the second crossing next week.
"We hope to address and sort out whatever delays which may affect the completion of the bridge. We will make sure the bridge opens to motorists as scheduled in January 2011," he told a Press conference in his office in Komtar today. Representatives of the World Lim Clan Youth Association had earlier called on him.
Lim was also asked to comment on a sms being circulated for the past few weeks, implicating the former state government of alleged land scams.
He said if the previous administration, headed by Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, was unhappy about the contents, he should lodge a police report.
The sms implied that the former state government under Koh had transferred a 1.52ha piece of land in Rifle Range with the Penang Island Municipal Council as the registered owner, to an individual.
Asked if he would follow Perak's move to convert temporary occupation licence holders in new villages to permanent land titles, Lim said he needed to study the matter.
"It can be done but we need to carefully study it first. This is because land is extremely priceless in Penang owing to its scarcity ... if we can share any benefit with the people, we will definitely do it," he said.
Perak Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin had said on Thursday that about 10,000 temporary occupation licence holders in 134 new villages would receive permanent land titles.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Penang EPU to produce measures to speed up 2nd bridge construction
Khairy Doesn't Want To Make Hasty Decision
REMBAU, April 4 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth vice chief Khairy Jamaluddin is leaving it to the movement's grassroots to determine whether he should contest for the seat to be vacated by Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
"As the Umno Youth vice chief, I represent an institution and because of this, I cannot make any hasty decisions at my personal will.
"I have been taught by Datuk Seri Hishammuddin to safeguard the institution. Therefore, I have to get back to the institution, namely the grassroots, and get their views first," he said here Friday.
Speaking to reporters at his community service centre as the Rembau member of Parliament, Khairy said a personal will in the context of an institution was not important.
"What is important and we need to give priority to is our institution which we protect together. That is why I feel it is my responsibility as someone who represents the institution to listen to opinions and views of the grassroots before making any decision," he said.
Khairy said he respected Hishammuddin's decision not to defend the Umno Youth chief's post in party polls in December.
"Personally and on behalf of all Umno Youth members, I would like thank him because for 10 years, from the time Umno Youth was so problematic after the 1998 political crisis, he has successfully rebuilt our strength, and this is his achievement that will be crafted in our party history," he said.
He said Hishammuddin's decision could be a loss for Umno Youth because for 10 years, he had rehabilitated and strengthened the movement as an institution.
"As Datuk Seri Hishammuddin's strong supporter, I will support him to contest for any post he feels is suitable at the December party elections," he said.
When told that former Selangor menteri besar Selangor Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and Jerlun member of Parliament Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir had expressed interest to succeed Hishammuddin, Khairy also said he would respect anyone's decision to contest for the Umno Youth chief's post.
"What is important is democracy is respected and practised in our party because through a democratic process, we, God willing, will be able to produce the best leaders to lead Umno.
"I hope anyone who offers himself to contest for a post in the youth movement is able to unify and put party solidarity as the main agenda," he said.
When asked whether the December election could cause a split in the movement, he said: "I do not think so because Umno Youth members have matured."
"What is important today is we fight our real enemy, namely the opposition, and our focus should be on that effort.
"I hope the healthy and open Umno Youth election can strengthen Umno Youth in the context of the party," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Khairy Doesn't Want To Make Hasty Decision
REMBAU, April 4 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth vice chief Khairy Jamaluddin is leaving it to the movement's grassroots to determine whether he should contest for the seat to be vacated by Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
"As the Umno Youth vice chief, I represent an institution and because of this, I cannot make any hasty decisions at my personal will.
"I have been taught by Datuk Seri Hishammuddin to safeguard the institution. Therefore, I have to get back to the institution, namely the grassroots, and get their views first," he said here Friday.
Speaking to reporters at his community service centre as the Rembau member of Parliament, Khairy said a personal will in the context of an institution was not important.
"What is important and we need to give priority to is our institution which we protect together. That is why I feel it is my responsibility as someone who represents the institution to listen to opinions and views of the grassroots before making any decision," he said.
Khairy said he respected Hishammuddin's decision not to defend the Umno Youth chief's post in party polls in December.
"Personally and on behalf of all Umno Youth members, I would like thank him because for 10 years, from the time Umno Youth was so problematic after the 1998 political crisis, he has successfully rebuilt our strength, and this is his achievement that will be crafted in our party history," he said.
He said Hishammuddin's decision could be a loss for Umno Youth because for 10 years, he had rehabilitated and strengthened the movement as an institution.
"As Datuk Seri Hishammuddin's strong supporter, I will support him to contest for any post he feels is suitable at the December party elections," he said.
When told that former Selangor menteri besar Selangor Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and Jerlun member of Parliament Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir had expressed interest to succeed Hishammuddin, Khairy also said he would respect anyone's decision to contest for the Umno Youth chief's post.
"What is important is democracy is respected and practised in our party because through a democratic process, we, God willing, will be able to produce the best leaders to lead Umno.
"I hope anyone who offers himself to contest for a post in the youth movement is able to unify and put party solidarity as the main agenda," he said.
When asked whether the December election could cause a split in the movement, he said: "I do not think so because Umno Youth members have matured."
"What is important today is we fight our real enemy, namely the opposition, and our focus should be on that effort.
"I hope the healthy and open Umno Youth election can strengthen Umno Youth in the context of the party," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Federal govt to work with Penang on Second Link
PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Government has agreed to co-operate with the new Opposition-led Penang Government in completing the Second Link or second Penang Bridge project, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said. Lim, who met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi here on Thursday, said Abdullah had told him that the Federal Government had no problems in co-operating with the Penang Government in implementing its planned development projects. "We in Penang will also do whatever is necessary to speed up and ensure the project is completed on time," said Lim, who spent more than 30 minutes with Abdullah. He said Abdullah hoped to keep the cost of the bridge project, which had escalated from RM2.7bil to RM3bil, low so that motorists would not be burdened by high toll rates when the project is completed in 2011. Lim said he had submitted a letter containing suggestions and proposals on more allocations and development programmes for the state to the Prime Minister. "It is the hope of the Penang people that all development projects by the Federal Government will continue in the state," he said, adding that both of them exchanged views during the meeting. To a question, he said, "He is my Prime Minister and I have come here for the first time on behalf of the people of Penang (to discuss state matters)." He said his misunderstood statement on the New Economic Policy issue was also raised during the meeting. To further clarify and put the matter to rest, Lim said that he planned to act against a particular newspaper for allegedly misinterpreting his statement made on March 11. To another question, Lim said, the move to introduce open tender by the Penang Government was a directive of the Treasury. "It is to ensure transparency and when we try to comply we are faulted for it," he said. --THE STAR
Hishammuddin will not defend youth chief post
PUTRAJAYA: Umno youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein will not defend his post during the party elections in December. He said he made known his decision early to pave way for those who want to vie for the post later as well as for the betterment of the party and for the wing to move forward. However, he did not state which post he was vying for. He added that he would wait for the party and delegates to decide if he would move on to higher posts such as the vice-president or deputy president posts. "If the party wants me to move on, I will; but at the end of the day, it is not for me to decide," he said. Those whose names had cropped up recently showing interest to lead the youth wing are Umno Youth executive council member Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo. Hishammuddin said he had already planned to let go of the youth chief post a long time ago but did not want to make it public then. He changed his mind and decided to state his stand after hearing the two men's offer for the post and their intention not to challenge him, he said. "After being at the helm of the youth wing for 10 years from the time there was a split, I find the youths are still united and hear their call for the new generation to bring transformation to the wing and the party. "If the wing is in a situation where it does not know my plans in December, that becomes a barrier for us to move forward. "So it is time for me to give way for new faces to lead the wing in December," he told reporters Thursday after announcing the second report card of the Education Development Masterplan 2006-2010. Asked if he felt pressured to let go of the post after hearing both Mukhriz and Dr Mohamad Khir's interest, he said he was not denying that he supported Mukhriz. On whether he wanted to see his deputy Khairy Jamaluddin contesting the chief post, Hishammuddin said it was not for him to say and that he could make decisions for himself only. On his personal preference for the post, Hishammuddin said he had a personal preference but would keep it a secret as he had only one vote. Hishammuddin, however, advised those who are vying for the youth chief post to always put their party's interest first, adding that he would continue to lead, guide and monitor the wing until his responsibility ends in December. "I will always be with the party. I am confident that Barisan Nasional and Umno's struggle will always be relevant. "We have gone through situations where we have to reinvent and revamp ourselves," he said, adding that the party's duty now was to rebuild the party and hear the voice of the people and grassroots instead of chasing for positions. --THE STAR
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