Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has not ruled out the possibility of declaring a state holiday next Tuesday to allow voters to cast their ballots in the Permatang Pauh by-election.

"Currently, the state government is not planning to declare Tuesday as a public holiday unless we have to,” he told reporters at a press conference today. "But we are not closing the door on this subject either, in case Barisan Nasional comes up with sudden tactics to stop voters from coming out to vote.”

anwar ibrahim sodomy allegation saiful bukhari azlan first day in court 070808 lim guan eng Lim said his state government was moving cautiously because they did not not want to be accused of abusing their power and giving the whole state a holiday because of the by-election, when it affected only one area.

Meanwhile, Bernama quoted Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein as saying today that all schools in Permatang Pauh will be given a special holiday for the by-election on Tuesday.

This is to enable the schools in the constitutency to serve as polling stations.

During the press conference jointly held with PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim and Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, Lim urged all constituents to come out and vote.

"We are arranging something to encourage voters to go out and fulfill their responsibility. But we will only announce it tomorrow," said Lim.

Numerous quarters have questioned the Election Commission's decision to fix the date for polling on Aug 26, a working day.

The contest - dubbed as the 'mother of all by-elections' - will be a three-cornered fight between opposition stalwart Anwar, Barisan Nasional's Arif Shah Omar Shah and Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia candidate Hanafi Hamat.

Places of worship and the poor

The Penang chief executive also announced two aid programmes for places of worship and the poor.

According to Lim, places of worship will be given rebates in their water bills. There are some 1,400 places of worship in Penang.

"For those using less than RM50, they will be given a RM5 rebate. For those with bills above RM50, a RM10 rebate will be given. This incentive will stay as long as Pakatan Rakyat is the state government," he added.

When asked if the aid constitutes election goodies, Lim said no.

"These programmes will be implemented throughout Penang regardless of race, religion or locality. What Barisan Nasional has done is to give out aid only in Permatang Pauh," said Lim. "Poverty and needs are spread out all over Penang and is not restricted to Permatang Pauh.

"Barisan Nasional only knows how to give aid during by-elections. Without a by-election, they don't know how to give aid. So, I don't believe there is any problems," he added.

Incentives for old and young

Meanwhile, Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim also announced programmes for the state's old and young.

For those above 60 years old, free medical aid from government hospitals will be given to all who register with the state.

elizabeth wong ellie selangor interview 080408 According to state exco Elizabeth Wong, the programme is not capped but will be funded via an insurance scheme. Hence, she added, it is crucial for Selangor citizens above 60 to register with the state government.

Besides the medical benefit, families of those who registered but later passed away will be given money to help alleviate their funeral expenses.

"RM500 will be given within 24 hours while another RM3,000 will be given to the families of the deceased within one month," said Wong.

This programme is for all citizens above 60 who are either born in Selangor or have lived there for 10 years. The benefit is also extended to those who were born in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya before they became federal territories.

As for the young, a trust fund – with an initial seed money of RM100 – will be set up for them.

Babies born in Selangor from Jan 1, 2008 will have an account started on their behalf with a state trust fund. When the child reaches 18, they can withdraw the money. Parents can also contribute towards this fund every month.

The two aid programmes are due to be launched by the Selangor state government on Aug 30.

Watch 5-min video of Lim Guan Eng's press conference

Permatang Pauh: Mother of all by-elections