A clean administration has enabled the Penang government to accumulate budget surpluses for six consecutive years since 2008, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said today.

This is through its practise of competency, accountability and transparency or CAT, a policy touted by the Pakatan Rakyat-led administration when it seized Penang from BN in the March 8, 2008 general election.

Lim ( right ) said the surpluses accumulated by the Pakatan government of Penang over the years from 2008 to 2013 amounted to RM453 million.

"Compare this amount to RM373.6 million accumulated during the period of 50 years before 2008," Lim said at a press conference.

"This shows the sterling performance of the Pakatan government in six years, compared with the previous 50 years," he added.

"This is an anti-corruption dividend for the rakyat, from a clean CAT administration."

'It's on, as long as Pakatan is in power'

Lim said this when announcing this year's senior citizens appreciation programme, during which RM100 will be distributed to Penangites aged 60 and above, from March 9 to 29.

The programme was launched in 2010, and Lim vowed to continue distributing the cash award as long as the Pakatan government is in power.

The contributions for phase one - covering the five districts in Penang - this year involves a total allocation of RM15.69 million.

The state also dishes out other cash awards annually - Golden Students Scheme (RM100 to Standards 1 and 4 pupils and Forms 1 and 4 students), RM1,000 to the families of deceased senior citizens, and RM100 each to single mothers, disabled persons and all public university entrance students whose addresses are registered in Penang.

Lim said the state has spent a total of RM126.35 million on these awards, dubbed 'Golden Cash Programmes', from 2008 to 2014.

"We guarantee that these golden cash programmes will be implemented every year because we believe that a clean administration, as practised by the state, will ensure continuance of these contributions," he said.

"These are institutionalised grants we distribute every year, not only once in every five years."