The Penang state government should set up a public consultative council to deal with and formulate public policy, said a Save Ourselves (SOS) representative.

But residents are not waiting for that to happen. On Sunday night at 9pm, they will have an opportunity to air their views and ideas for the betterment of the island state when two organisations jointly host a public forum.

SOS and Malaysian Local Democracy Initiative will hold the forum, entitled "Georgetown: What Future after Rental Decontrol", at the SOS! Centre, 67, Nordin Street, Penang.

Among the guest speakers are social scientist Dr Khoo Boo Teik, town planner Dr Lee Kik Meng, investment analyst Cheah Kah Seng and cultural activist Ong Seng Huat.

They will speak on topics such as the tenants' claims for compensation, the effects of the tenants' exodus on Georgetown, and the relevance of the people-oriented conservation movement.

"The objective of the forum is to encourage an open discussion among the people with regards to issues affecting them and Georgetown," an SOS representative said.

The organisations will also host a Labour Day pot-luck party an hour before the forum.

The SOS was set up last year by social activist Ong Boon Keong, also popularly known as "Organic Ong" for devoting much of his life to sustainable development programmes and organic farming.

Ong and two SOS activists were arrested last month for blocking the car of Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon in their bid to seek his help to alleviate the plight of local tenants. They have filed a complaint to the recently formed Human Rights Commission.

With a strength of 1,000 members, the organisation is championing the cause of people affected by the repeal of the Rent Control Act from the beginning of this year.