Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is determined to leave a legacy of freedom for the people of Penang, despite strong opposition from some state Umno leaders.

 

“I don’t know how long I will be here. I know that politics is short and cruel.

 

“But what I want to see is that my legacy for the people of Penang is freedom,” he said on Wednesday night at a dinner attended by journalists in Kuching.

 

“I want to see freedom of expression, freedom of worship, freedom of wants, freedom from fear, freedom of love and freedom of the heart.

 

“I have personal interest in supporting freedom as freedom is the best element to a success.

"Freedom will help Penang move forward,” Lim said at the event hosted by George Town World Heritage Incorporated.

 

Lim said: “That is why we use the word freedom to advertise Penang.

 

“Penang is the only place in Malaysia where you have the freedom to organise music, art, culture and George Town festivals.

 

“We have an air of tolerance, and the air of diversity and openness. Penang’s future depends on all these” he said, pointing out to Penang’s uniqueness

 

 “That is our commitment to freedom and our commitment to society,”

 

Met with opposition

 

Lim said that his effort to promote freedom, he met strong opposition from some Umno leaders.

 

“Yes they oppose us. For example, when we wanted to give money to Chinese, Tamil, Mission and Muslim religious schools, some Umno leaders created tension and caused problems.

 

“If giving funds to schools can cause tension, then something is really wrong,” he said, urging for people to support these policies.

 

On his government’s fight against corruption, Lim said the declaration of assets of state government leaders is an example.

 

“We also don’t want our family members to be involved in any government business, (be awarded) contracts, and so on,” he said.

 

He said his administration is committed to transparency and accountability, citing their procedures in awarding licenses.

 

“If all the boxes in the guidelines are ticked, then the applicants will be given the licence, and if they are not given, then you have to explain.

 

“Similarly, if the applicants have a number of boxes not ticked, then you have also to explain why they cannot get the licence,” he said,

 

Lim said that the people of Penang have high expectations of his government, and some even have strong views on how to run the state.

 

“We are doing our best as I want to leave a legacy of freedom for the people of Penang,” he added.

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