CM: NGOs now more vocal in opposing developments

GEORGE TOWN: Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have become more vocal towards the state’s development plans instead of the opposition, says Chow Kon Yeow.

The Chief Minister said the role of the opposition had diminished after Pakatan Harapan won 37 out of the 40 state seats during the general election.

“Now, the NGOs are the ones taking over the role in opposing the state’s plans, especially the Penang Transport Master Plan,” said Chow during his speech at the Penang DAP convention yesterday.

“We will not waver in our mission to keep Penang under Pakatan and carry out the development plans outlined in Penang 2030.”

The NGOs, especially the Penang Forum and the Chant Citizens Awareness Group, had been critical of the master plan, claiming that it had been bulldozed through without proper consultations and a threat to the environment.

Chow said the state had fulfilled 36 out of the 68 promises made in their election manifesto and the rest would be done within the next five years.

“Some of the pledges need the consent of the federal government,” said the state DAP chairman.

Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said he was not the Finance Minister only for Penang but the entire country.

“I have to take care of the whole nation and find ways and means to plug the RM1 trillion debt.

“There are states which can’t even meet the salaries of their staff and we have to help them,” said Lim, in a veiled reference to the PAS government in Kelantan.

Lim said DAP members should stay away from corrupt practices and focus on the wellbeing of the people.