©The Sun (Used by permission)Himanshu Bhatt
GEORGE TOWN (June 16, 2009) : The Penang government could not have attracted RM10 billion of foreign capital in the past 15 months if Penang’s infrastructure was lacking, Gerakan said today.
In a statement issued today, 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,” he said.
Goh said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had a motive when he conveyed to the press a comment by Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew that infrastructure in Penang seemed to have made little progress since his official visit in 1989.Lee had reportedly made the comment during his visit here on June 13.
“Lim’s intention was to tarnish the previous state government’s image. This is irresponsible,” said Goh.Goh said according to Singapore-based Asia News Channel, Lee had said if Penang wanted to attract investors, it needed better infrastructure and communication links.
To secure funding for these projects, Lee believed the Penang government should work closely with the federal government to gain its support.Goh said it was the duty of the current state administration to maintain and improve Penang’s infrastructure and communication network.