Shadow Policy Committee

The Penang state government continues to be in the good books of the Auditor General, who commended its improved financial position in 2010 compared to 2009. According to the latest AG report, Penang's consolidated revenue grew by 2.7 percent, from RM1,101.89 million for 2009 to RM1,131.17 million in 2010. The consolidated cash reserve rose by 6.2 percent to RM572.49 million, up from RM538.95 million in 2009. “The state’s revenue for 2010 has increased by RM34.19 million or 9.1 percent compared to 2009 from RM376.51 million to RM410.70 million,” observes the report. The AG advises the state government to make better investment analysis as a way to increase dividends. “Besides that, the state government is also urged to continue its effort to collect arrears in revenue amounting to RM78.78 million at the end of 2010 from land tax, loan repayment to students, rental of houses, shop lots and so on,” the report adds. On development under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the AG rates the state’...

By R Kengadharan The fundamental problem in Malaysia today is racism, and each day it escalates to a more dangerous level. We cannot ignore the ugly truth that racism is the consequence of privilege, institutionalised discrimination and the claim of supremacy by one group. The sad thing is that there is no national effort on a credible scale to destroy the racist mentality. We must destroy racism by openly condemning it and rejecting it in whatever form it takes, including the form of a race-based political party. The result of the 2008 general election did provide a ray of hope for a political system dominated by two multiracial parties, but the euphoria was short-lived. No true political observer can be oblivious of the fact that racial politicking is making a comeback and threatening to push the nation ever backward. While the vast majority of Malaysians see nothing but ugliness in racial politics, there are still many politicians who believe they cannot survive unless they continue...