Guan Eng has ill-intention

Press Statement by Penang Gerakan State Liaison Committee Assistant Secretary, Goh Kheng Sneah
Tuesday, 16 June 2009

Gerakan said yesterday that the State Government could not have attracted RM10 billion of foreign capital in the past 15 months as claimed by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng if Penang’s infrastructure and communications network were lacking.

In a statement, its assistant secretary Goh Kheng Sneah said foreign investors have been coming to Penang over the past two decades because of several factors, including the state’s sound infrastructure and communications network.

“Foreign investors will not come to invest a huge sum of money in Penang, if the state cannot meet their requirements,” said Goh, adding it was inevitable that the state’s infrastructure, communication network and other facilities should continue to be improved to meet greater demands by local and foreign investors.

Goh said Lim had a politically intention when he echoed Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew that the infrastructure in Penang had made little progress in the past two decades.
“Lim’s intention was to purposely tarnish the previous state government’s image. This is very irresponsible and a low-level approach,” said Goh.

Goh said according to the Asia News Channel, Lee had emphasised that if Penang wanted to attract investors, it needed better infrastructure and communication links. To secure funding for these projects, Lee believed the Penang state government should work closely with the federal government to gain its support.

“Lee’s request is understandable. As a leader of his country, he has every right to protect the interest of his country’s investors,” said Goh.

Goh said it was now the duty of the state government to maintain and further improve Penang’s infrastructure and communication network.