ELECTION fever has gripped Penang, judging by the number of videos and graphics being produced and shared on social media. In less than a month, numerous videos and graphics have gone viral, drawing mixed reactions from the people.
In two videos, the producers showed how Penang had developed over the past decade since DAP took over. But, the contents of two other videos are fast becoming a bone of contention for the state administration. One was a three-minute video of an unidentified woman’s lament of how things have changed for the worse in Penang under DAP. She ran through the gamut of issues affecting Penang — the excess supply of luxury homes, overpriced highways, reclamation projects, and frequent floods and landslides. The other video welcomed viewers to the era of “monstrous scandals of DAP”, drawing reference to the proposed RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel project controversy.
In the latest development, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had attempted to deflect the controversy surrounding a photograph of him with a businessman who is under investigation for graft. The photo went viral on social media two weeks ago. Since then, Lim had been piled with questions demanding to know his relationship with the businessman.
Lim chose not to response, leading Penangites to question Penang government’s so-called “competency, accountability and transparency” mantra. Penangites have also accused Lim of being “arrogant”.
With a few months before Malaysians go to the polls, Lim and his administration are under close scrutiny.
Such arrogance will not be in favour of this administration, especially after it was graded “E” by the Citizens Awareness Chant Group (Chant).
Chant adviser Yan Lee had said that after two terms in power, the state was plagued by “suspicious deals” and many other issues, particularly hill-clearing, controversial land sales and environmental degradation.
He also said the “Penang Official 1” (PO1) reference to Lim had failed to provide satisfactory answers to the issues affecting the people.
He noted that while this administration started off excellently as a people-centric government for Penangites in 2008, after two terms, many people had lost confidence in the administration, and there was no more CAT and suspicious deals were happening.
For the record, this is not the first time the NGOs have spoken out against Lim’s administration, and earned its wrath. Consumers Association of Penang president S.M. Mohamed Idris was previously accused of being selective in his criticisms, and worse still, of being aligned with Barisan Nasional. Civil liberties group, Penang Forum, was also not spared.
NGOs in Penang have always been boisterous and no leader can afford to snub them. Their voices cannot be ignored, as they can influence people, as proven in the past. Penangites, too, have proven that they are outspoken, independent, assertive and can exert change when they do not agree with something or someone.
Surely, they are the best judge of happenings in Penang — their votes will be able to tell if this administration has Penang’s real interest at heart.
As the only chief minister in Penang’s history, who is facing graft charges while still in office, it will be interesting to see how Lim will manoeuvre his way out of this.
Audrey Dermawan is NST's Penang bureau chief. She enjoys the sun, the sea and the sand, from which she draws her inspiration. She can be reached via audreymd@nst.com.my