Why pretend to be ‘innocent and honest’ when the reverse is true?

umno supreme council special meeting 260809 azalina othman Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had this ascerbic comment about Tourism Minister Azalina Othman Said’s remarks in a parliamentary reply that her ministry has always been fair to all states.

He said Azalina (right) is not being open about the ministry’s demonstrated ‘lukewarm’ attitude towards Pakatan Rakyat-ruled states.

He cited examples of ‘vengeful’ action, such as cutting off funds and ties with Pakatan states and cancelling major tourism projects.

“She took action to punish the people for voting in Pakatan state governments. She is dishonest and insincere,” he told journalists after witnessing a contract-signing event between Penang Development Corporation and pig farmers from Batu Maung.

muhyiddin running for deputy president 101008 02 Lim called on Azalina to change her ministerial style and emulate that of International Trade and Industry Minister Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin (left) , who has extended cooperation and a helping hand to the Penang government.

“We attract investors while the ministry provides the incentives. Why can’t Azalina follow Muhyiddin’s example?” he asked.

Lim also took exception to Azalina describing Penang as “dirty”, saying this could damage the state’s tourism prospects.

The state government has earmarked four key areas - crime, congestion, cleanliness and flooding - as contentious issues that could make or break its hold on Penang in the next general election.

“We are exhausting ways and means to rectify these problems within (our current) mandate and will let the people decide afterwards,” he said.

penang bridge Immediately after the March general election, Azalina had cut ties between the federal-funded Penang Tourism Action Council (Petac) and the state government by cancelling the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in 2001.

The federal government also cancelled or diverted funds for tourism growth and to carry out major programmes in the state, such as the International Dragon Boat Festival, Lantern Festival, Penang Bridge Run and World Music Festival.

Petac had been organising the events.

Investments double in Penang

On another matter, the chief minister hit back at Gerakan state chief Dr Teng Hock Nan who had criticised the state government for having led a 52-member trade delegation to South Korea.

Lim said he hoped Teng, a former Penang executive councillor, would demonstrate similar urgency in criticising the prime minister’s trade missions abroad.

He said Teng and others had jumped the gun in describing the trip as “wasteful” without knowing the facts.

InvestPenang executive chairperson Lee Kah Choon is slated to provide details of the trip when he returns from China.

lim guan eng azalina othman pc 051108 Lim reiterated that his airfare for the trip had been sponsored by the organiser of Asia-Pacific Tourism Investment Conference and Exposition 2008 in Seoul.

He also expressed confidence that DK ENC of South Korea is committed to a (MoU) signed with Penang Development Corporation to invest US$100 million in developing an international-class golf course and resort on a 80ha site in Batu Kawan.

“Unlike the previous BN administration, the current government will not count its chickens before they’re hatched. We are confident the project will take off soon.”

Teng had claimed that the Pakatan government has been trumpeting its MoUs without showing substantial investments for these.

In first eight months of the year, Penang attracted RM8 billion worth of investments in various sectors, compared to RM4.7 billion throughout last year.