PenangWednesday, 19-03-2008 22: 46.49
Thank you very much for your support to the DAP. The last six weeks had been fantastic. Malaysians and Penangites are still excited over the March 8 political change. Now it is back to the reality of governing a State Government in Penang. I am humbled by your support. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as a MP again and being appointed a State Executive Councillor is most challenging.
Please keep me and the party in check through your comments.Thank you once again.
YB, congratulations! All the best this coming 5 years! God Bless.
Comment by gurney — Wednesday, 19-03-2008 @ 23: 06.18
Good to see that you start to update your blog! Congratulations to you and hope DAP will make Penang shine again! I have seen bloggers mentioning our Island as Pearl of Garbage instead of Pearl of the Orient, so please do something to take care of our environment & cleanliness to boost up our tourism industry.
Comment by pgsilai — Wednesday, 19-03-2008 @ 23: 25.36
ocean tanjung tokong
Comment by evan koay — Thursday, 20-03-2008 @ 00: 41.24
为什么没有中文版?
Comment by Anonymous — Thursday, 20-03-2008 @ 03: 34.52
test
Comment by BornInMalaysia — Thursday, 20-03-2008 @ 10: 47.45
pls govern the state with well so that BN leader aware of their low quality performance. Long live DAP!
Comment by BornInMalaysia — Thursday, 20-03-2008 @ 10: 55.44
congratulations and
thank YOU!
thank you for all your years of sacrifice and patience on “the other side”
welcome to the ruling party!
Comment by lulu — Thursday, 20-03-2008 @ 11: 05.14
Please review and keep close monitoring on the existing Penang bridge expansion project. And this time make them stick the the schedule(which has been delayed by 1 year) or else impose penalty. No more further extension of timeline or cost review because of increase in material cost. that’s their business risk not to be shouldered by Penangites.
Oh…btw, congratulations to your team!!
Comment by WC — Thursday, 20-03-2008 @ 12: 58.58
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/National/2190424/Article
I read about this and is concern. Please contact me if you need assistance as we still have many qualified people around to help Penang.
Comment by pgsilai — Thursday, 20-03-2008 @ 16: 39.29
Dear DAP supporter!
i just open this forum for us to discuss, change our view…
i hope all of you can join this forum!!!
I am sorry that the forum only can support chinese characters
See u there!
http://malaysiapolitic.5d6d.com/
Comment by malaysia politic forum — Thursday, 20-03-2008 @ 19: 05.41
Congrats YB Chow. After 20 years in the party, it was a night to remember at Red Rock on 9 march, my birthday
Comment by jeffrey chew — Thursday, 20-03-2008 @ 22: 24.30
Couple of thoughts here….The MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home) programme was put together by our government to promote Malaysia as the second home for foreigner, anyhow in a strong contrast many penangites left and migrated after they felt hopeless about the country. I believe Penang Chinese living and working in foreign country have long aspired to return to their home, Penang, and the March 8 political change will definitely bring back hope to those who have left and migrated. I think the Penang government can push for the “Penangites to return to Penang” movement, to create a large wave of migration back to Penang island, bringing back their talents, and investment back to Penang, building the Penang future together. Before talk about MM2H, we should be able to retain our penangites in Penang, PMOH (Penang My Only Home) programme is what needed………
Comment by JK — Friday, 21-03-2008 @ 00: 00.23
your first task is to update your blog regularly. You need to engage your electorates more efficiently.
Comment by jason — Friday, 21-03-2008 @ 21: 08.26
Congrat for all the DAP people, hopefully something will change, I really believed
and i would like to thank you Mr chow, iam the guy that trap in saudi
Comment by victorhks — Saturday, 22-03-2008 @ 11: 11.16
Congratulation !
I am so happy that we have won.
The Home page of the DAP website is still the same old ‘face’ leh ! Why not change it to more attractive and add more leaders’ blog so that we can folllow the latest developments ?
Comment by rudychaw — Monday, 24-03-2008 @ 06: 28.50
YB, congratulations to you and your Penang team. Never seen before in Malaysia in particular Penang. A clean sweep and now a DAP/PKR state government. Please keep up with the promises and make Penang one of the leading states again.
Penang must shine as Pearl of The Orient again and bring back all the tourists. When businesses are good, life will be good for all. Work hard and show DAP/PKR’s abiliies. I am sure all of you will be voted back. good luck.
Comment by steven yeap — Monday, 24-03-2008 @ 21: 23.29
I have a feedback to you from a concern citizen who commutes from Butterworth to Penang using the ferry just last weekend. According to her, the person at the counter collecting payment did not issue any ticket to passengers as they passed through the counter. I have not commuted the ferry for a long time as such I have no comments when she told me this incident. Please look into this as it is subject to abuse especially when there is money collected and no ticket issue to passengers
Comment by pgsilai — Monday, 24-03-2008 @ 22: 21.10
When will UMNO leaders learn that they do not own the Federal Government?
Just rec’ed following article, very interesting & wish to share here
I listened to a Penang UMNO assemblyman on the news last night and read it in The Star today:
“Call to scrap mega projects”
PENANG: The state Umno will “persuade” the Federal Government to scrap all the mega projects in the state in view of the people’s clear rejection of Barisan Nasional.
Since Penangites do not want development, the Federal Government should not force it on them, said state Umno liaison committee secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim. He said that this was not Penang Umno taking revenge “but we are actually giving the people what they want”. “They voted for change, so let us see what the DAP can do,” he said after the party’s emergency meeting at Menara Umno yesterday.
Azhar, who is Penaga assemblyman, was appointed the state Opposition Leader at the meeting. Meanwhile, Umno liaison committee deputy chief Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdullah hit out at the new administration for its decision not to practise the New Economic Policy (NEP).
My take:
My dear Datuk Azhar Ibrahim, should the Penangites exclude themselves from paying income tax, road tax or any other form of taxes to the Federal Government as well? I think they are more than happy to contribute to the state government than the corrupted Federal Government.
When you say things without thinking, do not blame other people for calling you an idiot. He even had the audacity to say that it was not a revenge on his part. If that wasn’t the case of an ultimate sore loser then I don’t know what that was.
For your information Datuk, the majority of Penangites do not reject development. They reject corrupt governments. Why is it you people in UMNO can’t see until now that rejecting BN doesn’t mean rejecting development? Rejecting BN crucially means rejecting the corruption rampantly exist within the system. Get it?
Because of this damaging statement on your part, there will be 2 outcomes:
1) You are depriving all people in Penang from getting aid from the Federal Government (be it pro BN or anti BN)
2) You are projecting UMNO as owning the Federal Government. When will UMNO leaders learn that they do not own the Federal Government? UMNO needs to wash away this notion that they can do anything they want. Federal government should be the government to every citizen of Malaysia regardless of race, sex, political affiliation and religion. Who gave you the damn right to dictate what is good or not good for the people? This notion was the main reason BN fell in the recent election. Assemblymen from the BN forgot that the reason they got elected was to serve the people. Not the opportunity to amass wealth and became arrogant.
Furthermore, Penangites, would heave a sigh of relief if all mega projects are scrapped anyway as the projects ultimately benefit a few cronies of the PM for instance, the second bridge (UEM), PGCC (Patrick Lim Badawi), Penang monorail (SCOMI), RapidPenang (UMNO owned). So who are you trying to kid? All what Penang need is an effective, clean, efficient and honest government leaders. Obviously, you’re not one of them.
This galactically stupid assemblyman from UMNO really does not know how to make his mouth shut. Really. UMNO leaders should learn not to say stupid things or else they will lose more supporters. As of now, my perception that UMNO leaders are idiots with no common sense is greatly enhanced.
Comment by terra-cotta — Tuesday, 25-03-2008 @ 12: 17.33
I hope YB Chow can appoint someone to keep an eye on RapidPenang’s ever slowing bus schedule, otherwise like many others said, RapidPenang should change it’s name to LambatPenang. Oh, i dont want to be LATE to Work!! Remember, public transport plays an important role in state tourism too! Tourists would opt for public transport to reach their destination of choice, so please! make Penang Island shines again!! Thank You!!
Comment by suyi0330 — Wednesday, 26-03-2008 @ 21: 04.34
YB Chow,
As a resident of Penang and a retiree, I have to make my way to KOMTAR 3rd Floor to pay Quit Rent every year around this time of the year as its the only designated place to make payment.
POS Malaysia as well as MayBank2U accept patment for all kind of bills except for Penang Quit rent ( MayBank2U does accept quit rent payment for Selangor & FT ).
At this advanced age of IT, Penang Municipality should engage more IT to improve delivery system and productivity not to mention that this will lesser the burden of Penang resident of making the trip to KOMTAR just to make Quit Rent payment.
I hope you can consider making POS Malaysia and Major Online Bank available for making Quit Rent payment.
Thank You.
Comment by helob — Thursday, 27-03-2008 @ 23: 00.20
A couple of things current DAP/PKR government should do. 1) Publish the long term project on how to make Penang shine again ( do have some sort of channel for people to provide ideas ). 2) Provide periodic project status updates and progress. I have been seeing news media is not reporting much what DAP/PKR is doing, it is time the opposition have its own publication of newpapers, I think there will be support.. Penang Times ??? or joint venture with Malaysiakini or The Sun…
By the way, I read from both sides. I won’t joint any political parties, but like most, I want a good and clean government. Those who fails , will be voted out.
Comment by twk — Friday, 28-03-2008 @ 00: 02.40
Penang it’s publib holiday need to pay parking meter?? On 20/3/08 public holiday i get SUMMONS at penang island didn’t put car parking meter…Really can’t acceptable at all, public holiday can get SUMMONS, Butterworth and Island is same state but why the rules is differ!!! Or MPPP more hardworking than MPSP???? Can’t understand why????
Comment by steve — Friday, 28-03-2008 @ 08: 33.57
You guys are a well-mannered lot..thanking us for our support following your victory..jolly good !!However, don’t take us for a ride.Serve us well. We,the Rakyat would rather prefer that than a thousand times of your saying “Thank You”
You govern well and care for us;come the next G.Elections..We,the Rakyat will know how to show our appreciation in a BIG WAY..But if you NATO us ie NO ACTION TALK ONLY..well,we will send you back where you came from..Fair deal??
Comment by PODv — Sunday, 30-03-2008 @ 12: 24.48
Hello YB,
I think YB Lim Guan Eng need to have a blog too so that we can send him some feedback and suggestions to improve the state. You guys definitely need a lot of help after inheriting “Darul Sampah”!
Comment by JacknJill — Monday, 31-03-2008 @ 11: 16.50
Referring to the article on ‘Reduce Your Rubbish’ in The Star (March 31, 2008), I’d like to encourage the Penang state government to do more, to reduce the garbage waste.
As a Penangite myself, I find it inconvenient to find recycling center. I travel on motorbike. To carry items such as newspaper, or loads of plastic bags and more is not proper. As such, I believe there should be more recycling bins provided. Or at least, a recycling station in each housing area.
If not, at least provide recycling bins in areas where users are supposed to be more civilised - government offices, colleges, USM, airport etc, and to have pick-up trucks to carry out their regular duties often.
Please save Penang.
Comment by Jonathan — Monday, 31-03-2008 @ 14: 16.56
Test
Comment by Helob — Monday, 31-03-2008 @ 22: 09.16
I am puzzled. I can’t sent any command except just with the word ‘Test’
Any Help?
Comment by Helob — Monday, 31-03-2008 @ 22: 22.47
U must be joking man!! concerning the landscaping plan + sponsors getting to place billboard there.. it defeats the purpose of landscaping.. we get to see more billboards instead of greens.. I hope u reconsider your plan.. on a different note, please.. please.. stop announcing populist policy and make more promises.. Learnt from Pak Lah’s mistake.. promise alot during 2004 election but failed to deliver and in the end end up loosing 5 states.. my friend said and I quote.. it is better to do more than promised than the other way round..
Comment by JJ — Tuesday, 01-04-2008 @ 23: 26.43
I have some suggestions to fairly distribute some benefits to everyone
1) Look into Government/PDC owned land and find a big place to build Malay, Chinese, Indian schools together in a location.
Benefits:
- Centralize management on school infrastructure, transportation and security… example
= Centralize carpark for teachers in these State Consolidated Education Hub
= Ease of systematic planning and managing traffic, security and safety for these schools.
= Promote true Malaysian spirit by encouraging those schools to share Padang, Facilities (Computer rooms), and Swimming Pools. (if we build them) from principles & teachers, to students and parents/teachers’ association.
= Save cost for both short and long term as similar infrastructures (padang, swimming pool, computer rooms, Halls) can be share.
= Police Station can be setup in the same compound to improve children’s safetfy and security of the school
Challenge: A strong person or team to actively manage any conflicts between race and schools which could be foreseen as this idea is slightly more creative to be accept by some.
2) Relook in to pre-WW2 buildings around Komtar area. First rebuild a well plan commerical hub to replace and relocate the residents in these pre-WW2 buildings around Komtar area. Reserve 2-4 rows of these buildings for Museum or heritage related activities/NGOs. Rebuild the rest to “Energize” the Georgetown township.
Benefits
= Improve traffic systems as these pre-WW2 buildings one of the challenge for us to improve the traffic flow due to the length and width of the road
= Provide better commerical location for the residents who rented this place for business which has been going down for the past decade. This give them more business.
= Improve Drainage system can be done on this areas (which prone to flood)
= Improve crime rates as Police station can be strategically located in the new commercial area as well as near Komtar to provide adequate coverage
Challenge: People staying this residential house and a very well plan and market new commercial hub beside this area that plan to be replace this area for similar activities. Another concern will be the Logistic industry as many of these house was used as stock keeping. We should relook into area closer to Jetty area to build couple warehouses (with different size) to suit them for business (this means we need to demolish more houses) but the warehouse need to be at the same rate or slightly higher providing better facilities to the workers and employers.
3) Improve Bayan Lepas township by creating centralize parking location for each Phase of Free Trade Zone, and leverage either Rapid Penang or other bus companies as the main transport to the zone. Not all cars will be given entry to the zone anymore. One of this parking bay can be build around Queensbay Mall and the other will be opposite the mosque near Sunshine. Since those lands are from nearby Malay kampung, the village head can be given the rights to setup a company to build this land with car parks and profit distribute back to the residents. And we can build 2-3 apartments to relocate those residents of the kampung. Or buy the flats behind the Shell station opposite Kg Jawa, demolish them and build park lots.
These Parking lots will have Bus Station build in with regular interval to go to each Zone during prime time. Employers/Factory can also self sponsor bus to pick up their employee. Factory must spend money to prepare the entrance for employee which use the bus system (shades and bus stops) so employee will be save from sun and rain.
4) Free 20 litre water to all penangites. But to encourage good water usage behaviour, anyone use beyond 20 litre will pay more. E.g. For me to use 25 litre of water, I will pay 25 litre of water price (not 5 litres because of free 20 litre) plus an environment tax of 10% which will be save into a fund which we will use to improve water treatment system or related in Penang.
5) Improve Crime Rates
- Impose performance management in government. Constituency which has high crime rates than target (set by the State), the agencies that responsible for that area will get less bonus and increment for their salary.
- Build up waist height barriers along the roads (like Pulau Tikus) so handbang grabbing is very difficult act to perform for robbers/snatchers by motobike. Money can be public donated fund or private sponsor or state funds with open contract bidding for local contractors.
- Find a way to regulate state run Security firms especially those focus in Apartment or Condo security business. Impose fines for those companies who has a bad track record for more crimes rates in the building they incharge. Police forces can be use as Coach or Leader to ensure they have good relationship to smooth out any potential gaps or issues.
6) How to enable more Cash Flow with limited investment?
- Regulate and control all public car park system/buildings
- Or ensure these building will be charge a percentage of tax every month for having those car parks but set a rule to ensure they cant transfer the tax to people.
- Use this fund to build centralize car park in strategic location to earn more cash to fund maintenance
6) Attract Business
- Apart from keeping factories in FTZ, we need to improve Bukit Minyak with larger roads and infrastructure. Build centralize car park and improve roads to Bukit Minyak from nearby residential to encourage Rapid Penang to run the service there.
Hope you have time to read some of it.
Comment by Stephen — Thursday, 03-04-2008 @ 16: 33.27
Referring to NST article on 3 April ‘For DAP veteran,nothing has changed’
I do feel Junior Tham Weng Fatt should be appointed to MPPP as a councillor. He deserves the post. He has served many Penangites well as DAP action team public service bureau chief in the past and present even well before the so called ‘Political Tsunami’.
Comment by Michael — Thursday, 03-04-2008 @ 23: 35.54
first of all i would like 2 c tanjung lead by example i was there 15 years ago and would like 2 c a complete overhaul of the council.pls appoint people who can work for the people not themselves
Comment by swami — Friday, 04-04-2008 @ 21: 44.42
penang should lead by example
Comment by swami — Tuesday, 08-04-2008 @ 18: 26.34
penang should lead by example
Comment by swami — Tuesday, 08-04-2008 @ 18: 27.03
YB Chow - I am a staunch supporter for Liverpool only all these while.Now I have begun to strongly admire you too.Keep up the good work always.My family and I will always be there for you.Cheers!
Comment by Jia Wei — Friday, 18-04-2008 @ 22: 01.03