Penang falling behind in investments

27 Aug 2012, 5:04 PM
Posted in Bureau, Coordinator, News, Special Issue, Economics

There is a potential economic crisis looming for Penang because of three important contributing factors.

First, there was a 70% drop in investments from January to May this year, second some existing investments pulled out while some already approved investments did not show up.

Penang Gerakan secretary Goh Kheng Sneah said this latest phenomenon was worrying for Penang and the people’s livelihood would be greatly affected when jobs opportunities diminished.

Taking Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to task, Goh said Lim owed Penang people a good explanation and what measures are being taken to redeem the situation.

Equipped with statistics from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida), Goh said the figure showed Penang recording a sharp 70% drop in investments from January to May this year. This pushed down the state to 7th placing amongst all the states in Malaysia, in term of investments when compared to last year, where it held the top spot.

The statistics showed Penang only recorded around RM1.1bil of the total proposed capital investments for the first five months of this year.

“From our own calculations, we are bracing for a lower inflow of investments this year. This reflects badly on the state’s performance,” said Goh at a press conference held at the Penang Gerakan headquarters.

Also present were Penang Gerakan vice-chairmen Ong Thean Lye and Dr Lim Boon Han, Publicity, Information and Communications Bureau chief Dr Thor Teong Gee, Legal and Human Rights Bureau chief Baljit Singh, Economy and SME Bureau chief Michael Heah and David Yim, who is special assistant to Penang Barisan Nasional chief Teng Chang Yeow.

Goh said Penang had investments which were approved in the past two to three years which did not materialise.

“The CM should have the details on the investments which did not materialise. He should do something before Penang’s economy suffers a downturn,” said Goh.

Goh said he is 99.99% positive that the production line for the handphone maker Blackberry is pulling out its manufacturing line from Penang.

“My sources informed me that the production line is pulling out and I would like Lim to comment on that matter.” Goh said he is willing to apologise to all Penangites if the information is untrue.

“If the news is true, then Lim should do something to salvage the retention of the production line and if he cannot then, he (Lim) should apologise to the people,” Goh said.

Penang Gerakan vice-chairman Ong Thean Lye said Lim should explain to the people about his many overseas trips mostly to China and Korea and what benefits brought to the Penang people.

“He should tell the people what kind of investments he has obtained so far. I remembered that about two years ago, Lim said upon returning from Korea that investors were going to invest in a golf resort at Batu Kawan but until today we have not seen anything,” Ong said.

Ong was referring to the RM350mil golf resort that was proposed in 2008.

The project fizzled out after a memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed between the Penang Development Corporation and South Korea’s DK ENC Company Ltd, lapsed in 2010.

Ong also questioned what kind of investments and plans Lim has for Penang in order to transform the economy from labour-intensive dependant to a hi-tech manufacturing hub.

峇六拜廣汀大伯公中元宴 3333元捐助聖心建校

http://www.guangming.com.my/node/144170?tid=23

2012-08-25 光明日報

財政王熙文（左三）移交3333令吉款項予聖心中學建委會代表尤椿鑫（右三），由主席鄭桂典（左二）、建委會代表張偉嶸（左一）、吳竟誠（右四）、黃少國（右五）、嚴汶隆（右一）與黃萬河（右二）見證。

(檳島西南區25日訊）峇六拜區廣東暨汀州大伯公暨慶讚中元理事會週五通過撥款、義賣報紙、善信樂捐等方式，為聖心中學籌獲3333令吉興建教育樓基金。

此義款包括理事會撥款500令吉、義賣報紙籌獲1210令吉（包括義賣《光明日報》555令吉）、一名熱心人士樂捐1223令吉，以及西南區一個馬來西亞社區組織獻捐500令吉。

義賣《光明》籌555元

 

理事會主席鄭桂典週五晚在廟前舉行的慶祝中元節聯歡宴會上指出，該會每年慶祝中元節，都熱烈響應檳州中元聯合會的號召協助華教發展。他感謝各界善信和商家鼎力支持，使該會中元慶典一年比一年殊盛。

聖心中學建委會代表張偉嶸說，該校希望籌募500萬令吉，擴建設有多間教室與活動空間的教育樓，讓學生擁有更理想的學習環境。

“這是華社的使命與共同目標，希望能獲大家的支持，讓教育樓早日竣工。”

出席嘉賓有一個馬來西亞社區組織副主席黃少國、檳州國陣主席特別助理嚴汶隆、國陣協調員黃萬河、吳竟誠等。

Pelaburan Pulau Pinang meruncing

http://www.sinarharian.com.my/mobile/nasional/gerakan-pelaburan-pulau-pinang-meruncing-1.78724

Gerakan: Pelaburan Pulau Pinang meruncing

Oleh: SYAJARATULHUDA MOHAMAD ROSLI
Tarikh: August 24, 2012

 

GEORGETOWN - Pulau Pinang kini berdepan dengan krisis pelaburan yang meruncing apabila kebanyakan pelabur yang sedia ada bercadang menarik diri dari terus melabur di negeri ini.

Setiausaha Gerakan negeri,Goh Kheng Sneah berkata, perkara itu dianggap serius kerana ia melibatkan tahap ekonomi di Pulau Pinang iaitu dari semasa ke semasa, keadaannya semakin ‘tenat’.

Menurutnya, kedudukan pelaburan Pulau Pinang pada tangga ketujuh berbanding negeri lain dalam statistik yang dikeluarkan Lembaga Pembangunan Perindustrian Malaysia (Mida) menunjukkan ia bukan berada di zon yang selamat.

“Mengikut statistik tahun ini, pelaburan Pulau Pinang jatuh teruk sehingga 70 peratus dan kita berada di belakang Terengganu. Untuk tempoh Januari hingga Mei tahun ini, pelaburan Pulau Pinang mencapai RM1.1 bilion.

“Bagi pelaburan tahun lalu, Pulau Pinang mencapai RM9.1 bilion," katanya pada sidang media di sini, hari ini.

Selain itu, beliau difahamkan kebanyakan pelaburan yang diluluskan pada tahun lalu dan sebelumnya tidak menjadi kenyataan apabila pelabur terbabit tidak datang atau membatalkan hasrat mereka.

“Sebagai rakyat Pulau Pinang, saya perlukan penjelasan dari pihak yang bertanggungjawab iaitu Ketua Menteri, Lim Guan Eng,” katanya.

Kheng Sneah berkata, apa yang lebih merisaukan adalah kebanyakan pelaburan yang sedia ada dilaporkan sedang merancang untuk mengundur diri dari terus melabur di negeri ini.

“Ini serius kerana dari sumber yang saya terima mengatakan 99.9 peratus kerja pemasangan untuk sebuah syarikat telefon pintar akan menarik diri. Perkara ini berlaku selepas Guan Eng membuat kenyataan terhadap syarikat itu tahun lalu.

“Saya tidak mengatakan sumber saya ini betul. Sebab itu saya mendedahkan perkara ini supaya Guan Eng  boleh menjawab dan menjelaskan keadaan sebenar pelaburan di negeri ini," katanya.

Menurutnya, sebagai Ketua Menteri, beliau perlu memaklumkan perkara ini supaya rakyat tahu keadaan sebenar kerana ia boleh menjadi krisis ekonomi.

Sebagai individu yang mempunyai maklumat, Kheng Sneah berpendapat beliau perlu membuat pendedahan itu kepada rakyat serta memerlukan penjelasan daripada Guan Eng sama ada maklumat yang diterimanya itu benar atau salah.

Ketika diminta untuk mendedahkan senarai pelabur yang bakal menarik diri dari melabur di negeri ini, Kheng Sneah enggan berbuat demikian dengan alasan tiada kapasiti untuk berbuat demikian.

“Saya tiada kapasiti untuk berbuat demikian (mendedahkan), demi untuk kepentingan rakyat Pulau Pinang, saya bertanggungjawab untuk hebahkan. Saya berharap, dengan pendedahan ini, Guan Eng dapat mengesahkannya," katanya.

http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/GuanEngdigesadedahstatusekonominegeri/Article/

Guan Eng digesa dedah status ekonomi negeri

Georgetown: Parti Gerakan Pulau Pinang mendesak Ketua Menteri, Lim Guan Eng mendedahkan situasi sebenar keadaan industri dan ekonomi negeri ini.

Penolong Setiausahanya, Goh Kheng Sneah, berkata pihaknya yang melakukan kajian berdasarkan statistik Lembaga Pembangunan Pelaburan Malaysia menunjukkan antara semua negeri, Pulau Pinang berada pada kedudukan ketujuh.

“Guan Eng seharusnya memantau bagi memastikan semua pelaburan yang diberi kelulusan, berjalan mengikut rancangan tetapi kerajaan DAP Pulau Pinang seolah-olah tidak tidak menjalankan tugas dengan baik.

“Mengikut statistik pelaburan negeri tahun ini, ia mencatatkan penurunan mendadak sebanyak 70 peratus iaitu RM1.1 bilion berbanding RM9.1 bilion tahun lalu,” katanya pada sidang media di Ibu Pejabat Gerakan di sini, semalam.

Kheng Sneah berkata, pihaknya juga mendapati ada pelabur yang tidak melabur, biarpun sudah mendapat kelulusan kerajaan negeri tiga tahun lalu. 

吳竟誠（右四）籲請林冠英就檳州投資額下降及黑莓手機外包公司撤離一事，對人民作出交代。左起為峇日星、連勝方、汪天來、林文漢醫生、涂仲儀及嚴汶隆。

光明日報

黑莓外包公司將撤檳 吳竟誠盼首長交代

（檳城24日訊）檳州子民要和黑莓說拜拜？民政黨檳州秘書吳竟誠披露，他接獲可靠的消息，指黑莓手機在檳州的外包公司，有99.99%的可能性將撤離檳州，遷到其他州屬，因此，他促請檳州首席部長林冠英出面交代事件的始末。

他週五召開記者會時指出，他對該消息來源非常有信心，若黑莓的外包公司並不如他所言撤離檳州，他願意向檳州子民道歉，但在此之前，他希望林冠英公開黑莓外包公司的最新進展，及證實該消息是否屬實。

“去年林冠英宣布黑莓將在檳州設廠，為人民製造了假象，以為檳城的工業及經濟領域很發展，其實黑莓根本沒有在這裡設廠，現在就連他們的外包公司也將撤離了。”

他說，他希望林冠英能夠把真實的情形告訴人民，也相信身為首長的他應該也很清楚，隨著黑莓外包公司的撤離，極有可能影響檳州的經濟發展、帶來危機。

檳首5個月投資額較去年跌70%

 

他指出，根據大馬投資發展局（MIDA）的數據顯示，檳州在2012年首5個月的國內外投資額，相較去年的投資額大幅度跌了70%，在全國各州屬的投資額中排名第7， 甚至落在登嘉樓（排名第6）之後。

與此同時，他披露，一些已獲州政府批准的投資計劃至今毫無下文，他質問州政府為何沒有執行這些投資計劃？他們要藉此向州政府發出訊號，他們正監督著這個課題，請州政府不要再開玩笑，要詳細的對人民交代究竟是怎麼一回事。 

檳多數投資者屬重新投資

 

民政黨檳州副主席汪天來則指出，檳州多數的投資者來自歐美國家，他們大多是原有的投資者，然後重新投資罷了。
他說，林冠英經常拜訪中國及韓國等國家，回來後只會幫忙代言黑莓手機和三星手機等，卻未見吸引中、韓的投資者前來檳州投資，他質問林冠英究竟從中韓兩地帶了什麼回來？

他指出，林冠英曾在2年前宣布，韓國投資者將在峇都交灣投資一個高爾夫球場，但現在卻未見落實，他說，林冠英經常宣稱檳州的外資排名第一，因此他吁請林冠英列出檳州究竟吸引了那些投資者及其投資項目。

此外，民政黨檳州宣傳、資訊及通訊局主任涂仲儀指出，林冠英在工業領域方面失職，使檳州的經濟惡化，因此林冠英應該在自願解僱計劃(VSS)下被裁退。

出席者包括檳州國陣主席特別助理嚴汶隆、民政黨檳州副主席林文漢醫生、中小型企業局主任連勝方及法律與人權局主任峇日星。

原有投资包括黑莓撤离槟州　吴竟诚促林冠英交代

 光华日报

（槟城24日讯）槟州民政党副秘书吴竟诚促请槟首长林冠英，针对槟州新投资额狂跌70%，目前国内外投资额全国排名第七位，落在登嘉楼之后；已批准的投资没有下文，以及原有的投资撤离，包括黑莓（Blackberry）即将从槟州撤离一事，向槟州人民做出交代！

吴 竟诚周五在该党总部召开记者会，宣布上述3项有关槟州工业投资的坏消息。他说，槟州在2012年1月至5月的投资额已狂跌70%，根据马来西亚国际发展机 构（MIDA）的资料，槟州在2012年1月至5月的国内外投资额为11亿4724万1449令吉，目前排名远远落在第七位，甚至被登嘉楼超越。此 外，2、3年前已批准的投资至今也没有下文。

黑莓撤离消息准确率高

“更严重的是，原有的投资已从槟州撤离，目前局势是有工厂逐渐撤离，我举例，据可靠消息称，黑莓生产线将从槟州撤离，迁至其他州属。”

他说，其掌握的这项消息准确率高达99.99%，槟首长林冠英应向有关单位确认及了解，若此消息不属实，他愿意向任何人作出道歉。

VSS for lacklustre performance

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/8/25/north/11911461&sec=North

GEORGE TOWN: State Gerakan leaders are disappointed that Penang has supposedly recorded a 70% drop in investments during the period of January until May this year.

State Gerakan secretary Goh Kheng Sneah said from the statistics from Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) showed that Penang now ranked seventh in Malaysia in the first five months of this year.

“Penang recorded only around RM1.1bil of the total proposed capital investments for the first five months of this year. From our own calculations, we are bracing for a lower inflow of investments this year. This reflects badly on the state’s performance.”

Goh revealed that Malaysia was now ranked number seventh in term of investments when compared to last year, where it held onto the top spot.

Besides that Penang also had investments which were approved in the past two to three years which did not materialise, Goh said.

“Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should have the details on the investments which did not materialise. He (Lim) should do something before Penang’s economy suffers a downturn,” he told a press conference at the state Gerakan headquarters yesterday.

Goh also noted that he is 99.99% positive that the production line for the handphone maker Blackberry is pulling out its manufacturing line from Penang.

“My sources informed me that the production line is pulling out and I would like Lim to comment on that matter.”

Goh said he is willing to apologise to all Penangites if the information is untrue.

“If the news is true, then Lim should do something to salvage the retention of the production line and if he cannot then, he (Lim) should apologise to the public,” Goh said.

Penang Gerakan vice-chairman Ong Thean Lye questioned the many overseas trips incurred by Lim mostly to China and Korea.

“Can he tell us what kind of investments, he has obtained so far? I remembered about two years ago, he (Lim) said upon returning from Korea that investors were going to invest in a golf resort at Batu Kawan but until today we have not seen anything,” Ong said

Ong was referring to the RM350mil golf resort that was proposed in 2008.

The project fizzled out after a memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed between the Penang Development Corporation and South Korea’s DK ENC Company Ltd, lapsed in 2010.

Ong also questioned Lim on what kind of investments and plans he has in mind to transform the economy from relying on labour-intensive to a hi-tech manufacturing hub.



http://www.thechoice.my/featured-articles/55348-new-statistics-show-drop-in-penang-investment-under-lge

Penang Gerakan has alleged that despite promises from the Chief Minister that companies have secured approval from the State Government to invest, many have so far failed to do so.

Statistics showed a drop by as much as 70 per cent to RM1.1 billion in investment so far this year compared to the RM9.1 billion recorded last year. Although the year is not yet over, such hesitance by companies may seriously weakening the state's position.

"From the statistics we obtained from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida), Penang is on the seventh position among states in Malaysia," assistant secretary, Goh Kheng Sneah said on Friday.
"By right, the chief minister should monitor all approved investment to help improve the state's economy, but it looks like the state government is not doing its work well."

Such remarks aren't the first to challenge the grand claims made by Lim Guan Eng over just how much (or how little) he has achieved in development since he took over the state.

Recently the Deputy Prime Minister set LGE the relatively simple task of challenging him to show his evidence.
"[Lim] said that only one month after becoming Chief Minister he had brought in a huge amount of investment, so I want him to prove his claim - as all this was the result of the efforts of the federal government and the previous state government," Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

The DPM's message was simple – that Guan Eng should not take credit for initiatives that were achieved via the federal government – such as the work done by the International Trade and Industry Ministry.

"Whatever there is in Penang now is the result of the previous state government's contribution. We also want to know what he (Lim) has contributed, especially in helping the people cope with the rising cost of living," he said, in reference to the numerous initiatives that the Government is orchestrating to help everyday Malaysians.

Indeed in some cases, the State Government in Penang is actively blocking investment.

Take the case of the Penang Port. Under Lim Guan Eng's watch as Chief Minister, the port, one of the oldest in the country, was left to decay. When the Federal Government stepped in to privatise and regenerate the site to its former glory, the DAP-led State Government forcibly blocked the attempt.

Putrajaya had awarded the regeneration project to Syed Mokhtar's Seaport Terminal Sdn Bhd on the proviso that it would fund the dredging work to upgrade the site. After all, why should millions in taxpayers' money be spent on dredging when there are companies willing to spend this money and also have the expertise required?
Yet the State Government wasn't so keen, arguing it would oversee the project itself. Whether this was because it wants to waste taxpayers' money itself or perhaps hand out lucrative tenders to its own chosen contractors is unclear.

For the party that sells itself on being pro-business, DAP in Penang certainly seems to be confused on the matter.


http://www.thesundaily.my/news/471370

Posted on 24 August 2012 - 07:06pm

Last updated on 25 August 2012 - 11:59am

 

GEORGE TOWN (Aug 24, 2012): Penang Gerakan claimed today that companies which had secured approval from the state government to invest over the last three years had yet to do so.

Its assistant secretary, Goh Kheng Sneah, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should tell the people the state of the industrial and economic situation in Penang, and explain why companies which had secured the approval of the state government had yet to invest.

He also said that statistics showed a drop by as much as 70 per cent to RM1.1 billion in investment so far this year compared to the RM9.1 billion recorded last year.

"From the statistics we obtained from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida), Penang is on the seventh position among states in Malaysia," he told a news conference.

"By right, the chief minister (Lim Guan Eng) should monitor all approved investment to help improve the state's economy, but it looks like the state government is not doing its work well," he said.

Goh also asked the chief minister to verify a claim that a company manufacturing mobile telephones did not intend to continue investing in the state.

"If the claim is true, the chief minister should consider adopting the appropriate measures to retain the investment in the state," he said, adding that he was prepared to apologise if the claim was untrue. – Bernama

Power of loving kindness

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/8/17/north/11871828&sec=north

Power of loving kindness

By CHRISTOPHER TAN
christan@thestar.com.my Photos by NG AH BAK

 Jamilah carrying Mohd Daniel Ashraf Rosli, two, a child under her care, as she switches on the light at her house in Sungai Nibong Kechil

 Yim (right), Roslan Mohamed (in red) and Tan, P.A. to Goh (left) chatting with Che Noh Ishak, who is trying out his new wheelchair. With them is Che Noh's elder brother Jamil Ishak, 67.

TWO families of 14 people in Penang can now celebrate a brighter Hari Raya Aidilfitri after living without electricity for three months.

Housewife Jamilah Poi, 46, said the electricity supply was cut in May after they were unable to settle the bills amounting to RM2,750.85.

“My husband Abdullah Chik, 48, suffered a heart attack about a year ago and had to quit his job as a lorry driver.

“He could no longer do hard labour as it would strain his heart. He now works as an apartment security guard,” she said.

The couple have five children, three of whom are still schooling.

Jamilah said the family was grateful to have electricity to celebrate the coming Hari Raya.

She thanked the contributors for helpin the family settle part of the debt, bringing back power supply to the house in Sungai Nibong Kechil in Jalan Tun Dr Awang, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Living with them are Jamilah’s brother Zakaria Poi, 50, who is disabled, and six members of Zakaria’s family.

Zakaria met with an accident in 1985 and injured his back, and he has difficulty walking. He has since been helping out at a coffeeshop.

Batu Uban Barisan Nasional coordinator Goh Kheng Sneah, the Bayan Baru Welfare Association and the Sungai Nibong Kecil Federal Village Security and Development Committee (JKKKP) contributed a total of RM1,500 to help settle part of the debt.

Penang Barisan Nasional chairman Teng Chang Yeow’s special officer David Yim Boon Leong said the remaining RM1,250.85 would be paid off in monthly instalments.

“The family will have to pay only about RM200 per month, including the current usage of electricity, for a year to settle the bill,” said Yim after visiting the family at their home yesterday.

The electricity was reconnected on Monday.

Yim also visited retired casual worker Che Noh Ishak, 65, who suffers from arthritis on his hands and legs, in the same village.

Che Noh said he has been suffering from the illness since he retired at the age of 56.

His wife Rahmah Othman, 56, a helper at a kindergarten, said Che Noh earlier relied on a wide-base walking stick for mobility but his situation became worse recently and he had to use a walker.

Yim presented Che Noh with a wheelchair and Hari Raya gifts to the family.

Also present was Sungai Nibong Kechil JKKKP chairman Roslan Mohamed.