CM criticised for holding several posts which require his time and attention

(From right) Jahara discussing matters with Bertam assemblyman Shariful Azhar Othman and Sungai Dua assemblyman Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Noor during a break at the Penang state assembly.

At the Penang State Assembly 

CHIEF Minister Lim Guan Eng’s chairmanship of numerous state statutory bodies and government-linked companies was a topic of contention at the Penang state assembly sitting.

State Opposition Leader Datuk Jahara Hamid (BN – Telok Ayer Tawar) said Lim was “Jack of All Trades, Master of None”.

In response, Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy (DAP – Perai) said that Lim was “Jack of All Trades, Master of Everything”.

Jahara said Lim holds important positions which require his time and attention.

“Like us, he has only 24 hours a day and seven days a week,” she said.

“Is he superhuman? Or does he have extraordinary abilities?

“He holds many chairmanships which require him to make major decisions all the time.

“Is it necessary for him to hold all the posts?

“There are many professionals among the backbenchers.”

Jahara went on to say that many people had aired their grouses about the matter.

Besides being the Chief Minister, Lim is also Ayer Putih assemblyman and Bagan MP. He is also DAP secretary-general.

Lim is also chairman of the Penang Development Corporation, PBA Holdings Bhd and its unit Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang, Penang Global Tourism, Penang Hill Corporation, the Penang State Museum and investPenang.

Jahara, in her debate on Supply Bill and Budget 2018 yesterday, also said the recent landslide at a construction site in Tanjung Bungah, showed that enforcement was lacking.

At this point, Datuk Dr Muhammad Farid Saad (BN – Pulau Betong) interjected by asking why Lim had blacklisted only the contractor and consultant but not the developer.

“The developer should also be answerable over this.

“What is so special about this developer that it is spared from all the punishment?”

Jahara said the cutting of hillslopes and the mushrooming of concrete jungles should be stopped immediately.

“This can be done by the state government not giving approval for hillslope development.

“They should amend the guidelines for projects on hillslopes unless the projects are for public usage.

“I hope all the backbenchers will support our motion tabled by the Pulau Betong assemblyman to review or halt all hillslope projects.

“This motion is aimed at preventing a recurrence of a mishap like the landslide in Tanjung Bungah.

“We don’t want our state to become over-developed.

“We are not Hong Kong,” said Jahara.

“We have a population of only 1.8 million and do not need to be developed at this pace.”