When Pakatan Rakyat swept Penang on March 8 last year, the celebration was somehow subdued. What should have been the biggest and grandest electoral victory bash never took place.

The victorious elected representatives were cautious that their celebrations could provide an excuse or pretext for some unscrupulous characters to trigger untoward incidents.

They did not want their victory to be marred by violence or other undemocratic incidents, bearing in mind what had transpired after the 1969 general election.

On that fateful night, they had gathered at a leading hotel in George Town and went back home after listening to a briefing by their leaders.

guan eng sue utusan 250209 01 Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng revealed this during a press conference where he reflected on the success story of his Pakatan Rakyat state government over the past one year.

The DAP secretary-general disclosed that Pakatan Rakayat elected representatives were more concerned about their safety as well as that of the public after learning that the opposition had defeated Barisan Nasional in the state.

"We never actually celebrated our victory until today. Perhaps this weekend we shall celebrate it with our friends to relish and cherish our historic win a year ago," said Lim.

A mammoth rally featuring Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and DAP heavyweights will held at the Esplanade field to mark the one-year anniversary.

People's power had prevailed

In the last general election, Pakatan Rakyat won 29 state seats – DAP 19, PKR 9 and PAS 1, against BN’s 11, all won by Umno. For the first time since 1969, Penang had fallen into the hands of the opposition.

"Many were shocked, some rejoiced and some were dejected. But the change took place because people’s power had prevailed,” he said.

The DAP-led state coalition wanted the outgoing Gerakan-led BN administration to pave the way for a smooth transition of power, and the outgoing chief minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon did just that.

Koh was then applauded by many quarters for being dignified and graceful in defeat.

Now a year on, Lim has helmed a fledgling government, recording successes in wooing RM10.2 billion in foreign investments, introducing free Wifi services across the state, reducing cost and increasing revenue and productivity of the state administration and has set aside funds for vernacular and religious schools.

Next it plans to eradicate hardcore poverty among Penangites, cut down the racial based policies and stimulate the economic growth, now under pressure from global recession.

"We do not want to implement policies along racial lines," said Lim.

He said the yardstick to measure success shall be based on sustainability, equitability and democratic virtues, which can be indicated by economic well being, standard of living, per capita income, the standard and accessibility of education, health and environment.

"We are in the process of drawing up blueprints to eradicate poverty and overcome the current recession. We are looking at other economic areas, especially tourism to boost growth and increase job and business opportunities," he said.

Local government elections

On local government elections, which Pakatan Rakyat had failed to deliver so far, Lim said his government’s efforts to restore the third vote had been thwarted by the federal law – Local Government Act.

Moreover, since the Election Commission is under the federal government, he hinted that it would be difficult to convince the election body to conduct the local elections.

However, the Penang government has now drafted a road map to lead to local municipal elections.

Lim also revealed that the Pakatan Rakyat leadership was now deliberating on when and how the coalition state governments in Penang, Kedah, Kelantan and Selangor could simultaneously declare assets of their elected representatives.

The leadership is also drafting guidelines to carry out the declaration of assets as and when the BN federal and state governments emulate the same exercise.

"The Pakatan state governments want to do it with the Putrajaya administration," said Lim.

He said despite their inexperience and lack of in-depth knowledge, Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives have so far carried out their respective duties effectively for the people.

"Our team spirit, teamwork, dedication, determination, sincerity and honesty have carried us through the past one year," he said.