Story by Victor Seow
IF the Pakatan Harapan state government is a student, then its report card will show it passed with straight A’s!
Speaking at the launch of the upgraded Brown Road project, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng recounted the steps taken by his government for the past 10 years to make Penang a better place despite challenges and criticisms from certain parties.
“Whatever we do, we face criticisms but at the end of the day, we have to do what is right and what we think is right as given by the mandate of the people. And we stand by what we have done even though not everyone is happy. But I think Penang has turned out alright. For the past 10 years, we have seen a new vibrant and dynamic Penang that’s more confident and optimistic,” Lim said at the ceremony which took place on March 15.
“And this is the Penang that everyone aspires to. Not only the locals but also those from outstation. I believe we can hear (remarks) from them that each time they are here, they see a different Penang.
“An example is our jewel, Penang Hill. It was a dead end when we took over in 2008. It was completely run down and almost abandoned. Nobody wanted to go there except for those who stay there. Only around 200,000 to 250,000 visitors a year.
“But after our transformation when we got the right people for the right job, making sure that the professionals are running the show and not the politicians, we have seen a tremendous transformation of Penang Hill which now has 1.7 million visitors a year,” he added.
“It has been very exciting…in fact too much excitement for the past 10 years!” Lim noted.
Touching on the severe traffic congestion in the morning when an accident took place on Penang Bridge, Lim reiterated his stand for the need of a third link between the island and the mainland of Penang.
“Many couldn’t make it on time this morning because of the traffic jam now taking place on Penang Bridge. It is precisely when such a traffic jam occurs, that we realise how important it is for us to have alternatives. The state government always plans ahead in search for alternatives.
“This is 10 to 15 years of planning ahead by the state government. Any government with an eye to the future must make tough decisions not only for the present voters but for those children yet unborn,” he said.