By Christopher Tan
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
THE Penang government shares its success with the people of Penang regardless of their political beliefs or affiliations.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the government is not just a government for a certain group, but a government for the people of Penang.
“Those in the opposition parties are also entitled to share the success of the state because they are the people of Penang. We are a government for all.
“That was why I was upset when there was an allegation that victims have to register as members of Pakatan Harapan to receive aid from the state government.
“Where was there such a thing? This is an insult against state government officials.
“It is a rude and baseless statement from either from Utusan Malaysia or the state Opposition leader (Datuk Jahara Hamid),” he said in his speech before witnessing 16 state government agencies and statutory bodies signing the “Corruption-free pledge plus 10 state integrity measures” in Komtar on Nov 16.
Lim highlighted the success of the state in grabbing the top spot in the Malaysia Accountability Index with the highest score of 80%.
“Based on the Auditor-General’s Report 2016, Penang managed to claim pole position in the Malaysia Accountability Index with the highest score of 80%,” Lim said.
He further mentioned the success of the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) in becoming the first organisation in the country to receive the certification for anti-corruption management system (MS ISO 37001: 2016).
Lim said the state would not hesitate to take the necessary disciplinary action against those who are not practising integrity in their work.
“The state government has taken disciplinary actions against 47 state civil servants throughout last year,” he said.
State Secretary Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said among the disciplinary actions taken were dismissal, salary reduction and withholding increments.
The “Corruption-free pledge plus 10 state integrity measures” was read out and led by Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa.
Witnessing the ceremony were Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon, Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Penang director Datuk Abdul Aziz Aban.