Since Pakatan Rakyat took over Penang in 2008, the state government's biggest challenge is working with the civil service, in which key appointments, such as the state legal officer, are made by the federal government, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said.

NONE In fact, Lim recently lost a young legal officer attached to his office because of differences with the state legal adviser.

Several initiatives such as the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act and the Local Elections Act, could not be implemented despite being gazetted at state level.

According to Lim further, the Penang government gets blamed for not providing affordable housing for Penangites even though that falls under federal jurisdiction.

Pakatan is now in its second term administering the state after the coalition swept 30 of the 40 seats in the state during the May 5 polls.

However, without winning over the civil service, life can be tough for Lim's administration, which describes such challenges as "federal obstructionism".

"But we hope to keep things moving. These are federal officers, we cannot transfer them out. What is worse, is we get a worse replacement if the present one is replaced," Lim said in an interview last Friday.

"Now, things are not too bad. There are issues, but as long as we try to keep these within the realm of professional differences, it is still all right.

However, Lim said the situation has improved somewhat as everyone, including federal-appointed officers, try to work together as a team.

“Like the legal adviser, we are willing for her to be part of the team but she must also be willing to be part of the team so things can be done quickly.”

Even so , Lim said he understood the dilemma the state legal adviser often faces and has declined asking her to attend Pakatan's public functions, “to save her the embarrassment".

"Sometimes we weigh the situation. As long as she is willing to be part of the team to deliver the work, things are still manageable," he added.

'Outcome-based administration' for second term

Asked to rate his tenure after 100 days in office in his second term as the state chief minister, Lim said he would rather be measured by the people.

"It's not fair for me to rate myself," he said.

He said his administration would continue integrity measures, such as declaring the assets of state executive councillors and assemblypersons, hold open tenders for projects, banning family members from doing business with the state plus transparency in dealings between government and private sectors.

Other measures include fulfilling Pakatan's manifesto of handing out cash awards - RM600 for taxi drivers and an annual cash payment of RM100 for women.

On his second term leading the state, Lim said he continued to face the same challenge of moving the civil service to a higher level.

"It will not be about just meeting the people's expectations now, but exceeding them," he said.

His first term in office, he said, was a budget-based administration to ensure there were no leakages, hanky-panky or corruption, while trying to avoid mismanagement and inefficiency.

"In the second term, it will be an outcome-based administration. This will determine whether you achieve your objectives or not.

"No point having a budget-based administration when you don't achieve your objectives. Say you spend RM10 million to build a building, it is good if there is no corruption but if it doesn't meet any objectives, then it becomes a white elephant."

Lim added his administration now will focus on better delivery to the people.