DAP: Penang economy slipping
Malaysiakini.com
Athi Veeranggan | Feb 6, 08 12:28pm
Look out, Penang, you’re lagging even in the industrial sectors you once managed best - or so the opposition DAP claims in a direct attack on the BN state government over the sliding economic performance.
malaysiakini discussion 050208 jeff ooiParty e-campaign director Jeff Ooi, 52, alleged that other nations had started their industrialisation programmes well after Penang, but are now far ahead in the high-end manufacturing sector.
In a video-conference conversation with journalists from the state DAP headquarters in Georgetown recently, he said the government under the Gerakan leadership has failed to implement any "tangible, progressive or dynamic policies" since 1990.
He singled out current Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon as a lame-duck leader who has not taken the initiative to transform the state’s low-end technology and manufacturing industries.
"Thus (Penang) has remained a first-line assembly production state even though it was among the earliest states to implement an industrialisation programme," said Ooi.
He said the stagnation has resulted in a massive brain-drain of highly skilled and professionally trained industrial workers to other parts in the country as well as other countries.
Ooi said Penang and Singapore started as assembly-line economies at the same time in early 1970s.
While Singapore has grown into a global business and industrial icon, Penang has gone backwards due lack of strong political leadership and now even has to compete with rapidly growing domestic rivals, he noted.
koh tsu koon and penang pulau pinang 100907Since the heady first years, when it was the top domestic destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), the state has gone into a slump under Koh's leadership. Today, it lags behind Singapore and Hong Kong in terms of FDI inflow.
Ooi called for assurances from Koh that multinational companies will not relocate to other parts of the country, if BN retains control of the state in the next general election.
His comments are linked to the relocation of Inventec the most recent company to move out of Penang.
He further claimed that Intel Malaysia, which set up its maiden plant in the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (FIZ) in 1972, is rumoured to be contemplating moving out as well.
"If this happens, it will result in massive unemployment, loss of technology transfer and a business slump," he said.
‘Poor security measures’
The Penang government has compounded its policy failures by not paying sufficient attention to security measures to boost confidence among foreign investors.
Intel, for instance, was badly affected by lack of cohesive security when a consignment of microchips and semi-conductor products worth RM47.76 million was hijacked by armed robbers in Bayan Lepas FIZ in November 2006.
factory in bayan lepas penang 060208The heist not only disrupted Intel’s worldwide distribution of microchips and semi-conductor products, but also created adverse headlines in the global press. After 14 months, the robbers have yet to be caught, and the stolen items have not been recovered.
"Penang has become the laughing stock of the international industrial community under Koh," said Ooi, who intends to contest in a parliamentary seat in Seberang Perai.
"It has an international reputation of being a getaway and transport hub for international industrial product smugglers."
He further criticised the state government for not expanding the tourism sector, second-highest in revenue generation behind manufacturing.
Based on the hotel occupancy rate, the government's statistics have shown millions of tourist arrivals annually.
However, Ooi questioned whether tourists regard Penang as a destination for long-stay holidays or if they merely using it as a gateway to other destinations.
He cited international surveys which reveal that Phuket, Bali, Hatyai and even Langkawi are preferred final destinations of foreigners.
If the BN and Koh cannot do more to improve Penang’s economic performance, "then Penangites need a change in political leadership".
Athi Veeranggan | Feb 6, 08 12:28pm
Look out, Penang, you’re lagging even in the industrial sectors you once managed best - or so the opposition DAP claims in a direct attack on the BN state government over the sliding economic performance.
malaysiakini discussion 050208 jeff ooiParty e-campaign director Jeff Ooi, 52, alleged that other nations had started their industrialisation programmes well after Penang, but are now far ahead in the high-end manufacturing sector.
In a video-conference conversation with journalists from the state DAP headquarters in Georgetown recently, he said the government under the Gerakan leadership has failed to implement any "tangible, progressive or dynamic policies" since 1990.
He singled out current Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon as a lame-duck leader who has not taken the initiative to transform the state’s low-end technology and manufacturing industries.
"Thus (Penang) has remained a first-line assembly production state even though it was among the earliest states to implement an industrialisation programme," said Ooi.
He said the stagnation has resulted in a massive brain-drain of highly skilled and professionally trained industrial workers to other parts in the country as well as other countries.
Ooi said Penang and Singapore started as assembly-line economies at the same time in early 1970s.
While Singapore has grown into a global business and industrial icon, Penang has gone backwards due lack of strong political leadership and now even has to compete with rapidly growing domestic rivals, he noted.
koh tsu koon and penang pulau pinang 100907Since the heady first years, when it was the top domestic destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), the state has gone into a slump under Koh's leadership. Today, it lags behind Singapore and Hong Kong in terms of FDI inflow.
Ooi called for assurances from Koh that multinational companies will not relocate to other parts of the country, if BN retains control of the state in the next general election.
His comments are linked to the relocation of Inventec the most recent company to move out of Penang.
He further claimed that Intel Malaysia, which set up its maiden plant in the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (FIZ) in 1972, is rumoured to be contemplating moving out as well.
"If this happens, it will result in massive unemployment, loss of technology transfer and a business slump," he said.
‘Poor security measures’
The Penang government has compounded its policy failures by not paying sufficient attention to security measures to boost confidence among foreign investors.
Intel, for instance, was badly affected by lack of cohesive security when a consignment of microchips and semi-conductor products worth RM47.76 million was hijacked by armed robbers in Bayan Lepas FIZ in November 2006.
factory in bayan lepas penang 060208The heist not only disrupted Intel’s worldwide distribution of microchips and semi-conductor products, but also created adverse headlines in the global press. After 14 months, the robbers have yet to be caught, and the stolen items have not been recovered.
"Penang has become the laughing stock of the international industrial community under Koh," said Ooi, who intends to contest in a parliamentary seat in Seberang Perai.
"It has an international reputation of being a getaway and transport hub for international industrial product smugglers."
He further criticised the state government for not expanding the tourism sector, second-highest in revenue generation behind manufacturing.
Based on the hotel occupancy rate, the government's statistics have shown millions of tourist arrivals annually.
However, Ooi questioned whether tourists regard Penang as a destination for long-stay holidays or if they merely using it as a gateway to other destinations.
He cited international surveys which reveal that Phuket, Bali, Hatyai and even Langkawi are preferred final destinations of foreigners.
If the BN and Koh cannot do more to improve Penang’s economic performance, "then Penangites need a change in political leadership".
posted by weiaik at
00:20
2 Comments:
High time for a change in Penang and it will be hastened as MCA is losing CONFIDENCE in the coming general election and has called this early election most inappropriate. WHY?
In an exclusive interview with NTV7, Ong K T , MCA President declared in Mandarin (brief translation below)
"When the Chinese community is still unhappy and dissatisfied, we face a bigger challenge; we have to explain to let the community understand that the points raised by the opposition are wrong, not good for the community".
And Chan K C is also playing safe saying all seats contested are considered "unsafe"
PM responded: “Anytime is appropriate when I decide” and Mohd Toyo fired him not to question the PM. This Poor MCA Church mouse always never have a say, not even in the year of the Rat (Mouse). More details at
Go H E R E 1
and watch the Video clip(2.15min) with Ong Speaking in Mandarin 40 sec, Abdullah responding & SMSes and M Toyo reply “the best time, might not be the right time
= == = = = == =
Or see More Pics & video Malaysians ushering in the year of the Rat, go here,
Go H E R E 2
I have many friends from different industry and age group..
..goodnews is that most of them are turning to the opposition rather than BN. Even those who never voted previously for more than 40yrs..how interesting ya? haha
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