Singapore’s minister mentor had chided Penang for its alleged snail-paced infrastructure development over the past two decades.

lee kuan yew visit lim guan eng and penang gerakan 150609 02 And the state’s new chief minister, Lim Guan Eng readily agreed, much to the chagrin of the past rulers from Gerakan who claimed that the string of international accolades proved otherwise.

Speaking on behalf of the Penang Gerakan youth and women’s wings, former Bukit Tengah representative Ng Siew Lai said the chief minister misled the public by concurring with Lee Kuan Yew that the infrastructure development has been slower than even that of Ipoh and Seremban.

"Lim has painted a wrong picture of Penang. He should correct his misleading statement," she told a press conference at the state Gerakan headquarters today.

During his weekend visit to Penang, Lee slammed the state's poor infrastructure development.

He called on the Pakatan Rakyat state government to upgrade the state infrastructure system and communications network on the island state to attract more investors.

Lee’s statement was seen as hitting below the belt of the previous Gerakan-led Barisan Nasional state government (1969 - 2008).

However, Ng claimed that the previous state government had successfully implemented many infrastructure projects through close working ties with the federal government.

Numerous international awards

She recalled that Penang had received several international honours over the years such as the 1999 UN's 'Pioneer City' status and the 1998 Asia Week's award for George Town as "Asia's Top 10 Most Desirable Cities.'

In addition, she said an international travel magazine (Conde Nast Traveller) chose Penang as the world's sixth most popular holiday island in 1999.

"These international accolades prove that Penang has become famous across the globe," she added in the presence of state Gerakan youth chief Oh Tong Keong and the wing's committee members.

The movements plan to handover a joint memorandum, comprising list of projects implemented in the past 19 years (1990-2008), to Lim soon.

Another former Gerakan state representative Goh Kheng Sneah reminded Lim that Penang would not have attracted some RM10 billion foreign capital in the past 15 months if the island-state lacked quality infrastructure and communications networks.

The Penang Gerakan assistant secretary said foreign investors would not come to Penang if the standards of the infrastructure system and communications network were not up to mark.

"Foreign investors would not come to invest a huge sum of money in Penang if the state cannot meet their requirements," said the former Batu Uban assemblyperson.

He said the state’s infrastructure, communication network and other facilities should continue to improve to meet the growing demands of domestic and foreign investors.

‘CM has a political agenda’

Goh also accused Lim of having a political agenda for echoing Lee's assessment.

"Lim’s intention was to tarnish the previous state government’s image. This is very irresponsible and a low-level approach," he added.

lim guan eng pc 270209

According to the Asia News Channel, Lee had emphasised that if Penang wanted to attract investors, it needed better infrastructure and communication links.

Lee was also quoted as saying that to secure funding for these projects, the Penang government should work closely with the federal government to gain its support.

"Lee's request is understandable. As a elder statesman of his country, Lee has his right to protect Singaporean investment interest.

"It's the state government’s duty now to maintain and continuously upgrade Penang’s infrastructure systems and communication networks," Goh said.