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Aliran congratulates the new Penang State Government for taking off on the right footing. It speaks for their courage, their integrity, their ethics and their commitment to good governance. They are truly living up to their election promises to inject into politics transparency and accountability.
Aliran welcomes the Chief Minister’s pledge, “We want to run a state administration free from cronyism, corruption and systematic inefficiency.” We are encouraged by these words. We hope that they will go beyond rhetoric and set an example that is worthy of our trust and confidence in the new governance that is promised for Penang. Aliran is particularly impressed with the announcement that the Chief Minister, “along with all his exco members, state assembly speaker, deputy speaker and the respective heads of the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) and Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) would be making a public declaration of their personal assets”. For the last three decades Aliran had been calling for all elected and appointed officials to declare their assets so that we could watch out for any ill-gotten fortunes. The Barisan Nasional had brushed aside all these demands and went about running the States and the Councils the way they chose to – without being accountable and transparent to the public. We are heartened that the State Government “would also attempt to restore local government elections before the end of its term”. This is another issue that Aliran and the other NGOs have been advocating for many, many years. Again, the BN ignored the sentiments of the vast majority of Malaysians and refused to restore local government elections. The appointment of two Deputy Chief Ministers, which is unprecedented in the 50 years of Malaysian history, is another plus for the State Government. Not that Aliran is overtly concerned with ethnic representation but it drives home the fact that no community has been marginalised by this government. The Penang State Government truly represents the multi-faceted character and composition of our nation. This is a remarkable attempt to make everyone feel that he or she is very much part and parcel of this country which we call our dear home. We hope and pray that these noble endeavours of the newly elected government will not be derailed for whatever reason. We hope and pray that no one from this government will jump party and frustrate the voters of Penang who have so decisively and courageously voted for change. Aliran wishes the new State Government of Penang all the best. Aliran pledges to the public that Aliran will be as critical of this government as it has always been of the BN when things are not done right. Aliran Executive Committee 12 March 2008
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