Questions have been raised as to why a large delegation of Penang government officers, their spouses and business representatives visited China from Nov 4-9, given the silence since their return as to what they had accomplished.

Asked today for details of the size of the group that went to Xiamen and Hainan, and the expenses involved, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng could not immediately provide figures.

NONETold that the people want to know about the trip and whether a report would be provided, Lim shot back: "Who is asking? We have shown many times that the trips taken by the present officers (cost) much (less) that in the past (under BN rule prior to 2008).

"I don't know what the problem is because we are an international city and we attract international conferences. We are invited for these conferences. But we will definitely give you the breakdown (of the cost).”

The expenses of the spouses of the state officials were met by the state government's Protocol Department, he said.

"This was for state executive councillors. It is preferred that (spouses accompany then). It is not a new law, but one that has been there from the very beginning, during BN's time (in government).

"We feel very lonely without our spouses. If we go with our spouses (it seems to become) a problem; if we don't go with them, it is also a problem.”

NONEThe delegation included Lim and his wife, state exco members Chow Kon Yeow (left) and Phee Boon Poh and their wives, as well as assemblypersons A Tanasekheran (Bagan Dalam) and Yap Soo Huey (Pulau Tikus).

MPPP secretary Ang Aing Thye, Buildings Department director Yew Tung Seang, Engineering Department deputy director A Rajendran, state secretariat assistant chief Oon Lai Kuan and Lim Chiew Boey - Lim's special officer on manufacturing, industries and investment - were also in the group.

Asked to confirm that the delegation comprised about 50 people, Lim said: "We went with (members of) the Penang Chinese Chambers of Commerce (PCCC), but they paid their own (expenses).”

PCCC chairperson Choot Ewe Seng and Penang-Xiamen Friendship Association head Tean Kok Ping accompanied the delegation.

It is learnt that Penang Municipal Council officers and Chinese press reporters had also gone along, but had met the cost themselves.

Official activities

Members of the delegation participated in the 17th Inter-Islands Tourism Policy (ITOP) Forum and signed a MOU on establishment of Friendship Cities between Penang and the Hainan provincial government.

The delegation renewed the Friendship Cities relationship between Xiamen and Penang on the 20th anniversary of this scheme.

Lim paid two courtesy calls on the government, leaders of industry, the Xiamen mayor and the Hainan governor.

He delivered a talk at the ITOP Forum themed ‘Globalisation and Localisation: Opportunity and Challenge for Island Tourism Development’.

Established in 1997, the ITOP Forum has been held 16 times now, with participants from Jeiju, Hainan, Okinawa, Bali, Southern Province of China, Canary Islands, Zanzibar, Hawaii, Phuket and Cebu.