The Competency, Accountability and Transparency (CAT) governance ideal in Penang is dead because the ruling party has not lived up to its promises, say opposition lawmakers.

Several BN state assemblypersons, led by opposition leader Jahara Hamid, held up placards bearing the words “CAT is dead” and “Save Penang” in a symbolic move to urge voters to “save” the state.

Jahara, the Telok Ayer Tawar assemblyperson, said BN has managed to show “proof” that CAT has “died” in the state because Pakatan Harapan has broken 51 promises since 2008.

“Coincidently, DAP celebrated its 51st anniversary this year,” Jahara quipped.

Jahara claimed that DAP’s main achievement in Penang since 2008 was selling state land, instead of using the land for the people’s benefit, while dismissing claims that BN sold 36 times more.

“These projects should have been conducted by state agency Penang Development Corporation, instead of handing them over to crony companies.

“This shows DAP government was more interested in private, luxurious and mega-projects instead of those which are more important for Penangites,” she said.

Jahara was referring to the sale of a 6.4 acre prime land to Island Hospital Group on a leasehold basis.

She claimed that the hospital does not benefit ordinary folks who can't afford private medical care and that the relevant assemblyperson Yap Soo Huey (DAP-Pulau Tikus) had shared similar concerns.

Jahara also claimed that the local governments in the state practiced “discrimination” when enforcing the law against illegal hawkers.

Enforcement authorities had turned a blind eye on illegal hawkers at Pantai Bersih, Seberang Prai but there was strict enforcement on hawkers at Tajung Tokong.

Other “black marks” for Harapan include Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng having to face two graft charges in court, as well as alleged rampant illegal hill clearings.

Exco members criticised

Jahara also criticised state cabinet members of being “not serious” about state legislative assembly affairs as they were absent today, although there are normally only two sittings a year.

“Their absence shows that they put the state assembly second to other issues, when they could actually postpone their appointments to next week, after the sitting,” she said.

When asked for comment, Penang speaker Law Choo Kiang said that the state exco members may be in the building, but may not be in the Dewan during proceedings for various reasons.

“I have reminded the exco members to be in the Dewan during the debates, I have urged them to respect the assemblypersons who are debating.”

Meanwhile, Pulau Betong assemblyperson Muhamad Farid Saad said Harapan has lost its credibility after the state cabinet and backbenchers refused to ask Lim to go on leave pending the outcome of the corruption trial.

“This shows that the state government has no more credibility and integrity, as they are all out to defend someone who is being charged with corruption,” he added.

Today is the last day of the state legislative assembly sitting and is likely to be the last before the next election is called. The next sitting is scheduled for November.