YOURSAY | 'The Penang gov’t should be open to any criticism - that’s what mature gov’ts do.'

Why are we afraid of Penang Forum, asks DAP rep

Vijay47: One of the biggest complaints against Umno and BN is that they do not allow opposing views, that alternate positions are smothered, that public media present only their side of any argument.

Why then is opposition to the Penang government being regarded as wrong and as enemies of the state?

The Penang Forum is said to have been hijacked and presenting one-sided views. Isn't that precisely the reason why the government should have utilised the golden opportunity to be represented and explain what it claims to be the truth?And if DAP Pulau Tikus assemblyperson Yap Soo Huey was heckled, tough luck for her, as responses of that nature come with the turf of being an elected representative.

We cannot demand a certain code of conduct from Umno and the federal government and then behave in exactly the same manner on the puerile grounds that "this is how they treat us".

I respect DAP Tanjung Bungah assemblyperson Teh Yee Cheu for his honour and honesty in openly stating that being disillusioned, he would be leaving DAP when his term ends.

The party should ask itself why one of its members, an elected assemblyperson no less, intends to leave it. Teh is right every inch of the way, we do not want Umno wine in new bottles.

Ravinder: Arrogance is the barrier that makes those in power despise the views of NGOs that are not in line with the opinions of those in authority. It's a case of might is right.

This is also the mentality of the BN government - that people have elected their representatives and so whatever these representatives do has been pre-sanctioned through the votes given to them.

However, NGOs can have better views and opinions as they are dedicated to their causes, have experts to do research and do not have any vested interests in anything. They work for the good of the public. Political leaders must learn to be humble.

Anonymous 2460391489930458: This is a tricky issue. Yes, it would be good to obtain the views of NGOs, and even to adopt their ideas if these are helpful for the state.

The problem is that in this country, some NGOs may not be apolitical and the forum may turn out to be a platform to demonise the state government.

But having said that, perhaps the Penang government should still allow for forums to be held and be open to any criticisms. That is what mature governments would do. The last thing any government would want is to be seen as a government which has "something to hide".

The people are discerning enough to tell if the forum organisers and participants are earnestly helping the state or a bunch of troublemakers.

Anonymous: Teh should have organised more dialogues to help the flood victims now to show his honest sincerity to help the people who voted him in. Now is not the right time to talk so much when all the other assemblypersons are busy helping out the flood victims.

Now we are more desperate for help, for instance at Jalan Gopeng and Jalan P Ramlee where it doesn't matter whether there are hill developments or not, as the floods still happen whenever there is a big downpour. Teh should know about it because he lived there when he was a child.

Wira: No good government is afraid of NGOs. The NGOs have their stand, so does the government.

The government represents the will of the people while the NGOs represent special interest groups. It's the government’s duty to explain the rationale of its policies and directions.

NGOs should not expect the state government to agree with them all the time. For those they agree with, there is no dispute. For those they don't agree with, I hope both the state and the NGOs will examine their respective positions.

Once the state has made its decision known after consideration of points raised by the NGOs, let's move on even if the decision is unfavourable to the stand adopted by the NGOs.

The state is run by a professional civil service, so please argue with facts and not emotions. Teh, I am disappointed with your stand as you don't even seem to know how a government works or should work.

Rupert16: Teh has a point but NGOs should also learn to accept the state government’s views and perspective for the greater good. The way I see it, some NGO leaders also have personal and political agendas, and things are not as simple as Teh would want us to believe.

Mindful: It is simple, as long as the population is on the rise, environmental problems will continue to exist not only in Malaysia but all over the world.

With more and more people moving into the cities, there will be bigger problems coming in the future - not only environmental problems but social problems as well.

So everyone is in a way responsible for the environmental man-made problems. Although every one of us has the right to point fingers, make sure you point it at your own self first.

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