Tag: ADUN

Penang urged to seize economic opportunities amid global uncertainty

GEORGE TOWN, 12 MAY -- Several State Assemblymen (ADUN) on Monday called on Penang to seize the opportunity following global geopolitical and economic uncertainties to strengthen the state's position as a hub for investment, tourism and regional supply chains. Wong Yuee Harng (PH-Pengkalan Kota) said that conflicts in West Asia and the changing world geopolitical landscape opened up opportunities for Penang to attract more international events, investments and global capital flows. He said the Asia Pacific region, including Pearl Island, is in a strategic position as many international events seek new locations that are more stable and secure in terms of geopolitical relations. "The business tourism sector and the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry are significant economic drivers for the state," he said when discussing the motion of thanks for the policy speech by Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting, here. Wong also supported the proposal to establish a special international financial hub and said Penang had advantages in terms of strategic location, highly skilled workforce and a track record as a manufacturing and technology centre. Meanwhile, Ong Ah Teong (PH-Batu Lanchang) reminded the state government not to take lightly the phenomenon of involution or extreme competition following the aggressive entry of foreign business chains, especially from China, which is said to be affecting the local business ecosystem. He said the dumping of cheap products and fierce price competition had the potential to put pressure on small and medium enterprises, food and beverage traders as well as local hawkers. Opposition Leader, Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff (PN-Sungai Dua), said that Penang's economy, which is largely driven by the manufacturing and services sectors, is still highly dependent on foreign markets, exports and investments from multinational companies. He said, based on the Penang Economic Outlook 2026 report by the Penang Institute , the manufacturing sector contributes 46.1 percent to the state's Gross Domestic Product while services contribute 48.1 percent. "Penang needs a more balanced and sustainable domestic economic sector, including strengthening the community tourism, ecotourism and agrotourism sectors, especially in the Seberang Perai area," he said. Muhammad Fauzi also said that tourism development is currently still concentrated in island areas such as George Town, Bukit Bendera and Batu Ferringhi, causing traffic congestion and tourist congestion. The State Assembly session continues today. -- BERNAMA

GEORGE TOWN, 12 MAY — Several State Assemblymen (ADUN) on Monday called on Penang to seize the opportunity following global geopolitical and economic uncertainties to strengthen the state’s position as a hub for investment, tourism and regional supply chains. Wong Yuee Harng (PH-Pengkalan Kota) said that conflicts in West Asia and the changing world geopolitical […]

Penang has no proposal to change Chief Minister’s term limit to 10 years

Penang has no proposal to change Chief Minister's term limit to 10 years

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang State Government does not plan to amend the term limit for the chief minister’s office from two terms to 10 years for the time being. Chief Minister, Chow Kon Yeow, said that the existing provisions in the state Constitution are clear regarding the term limit for the Chief Minister’s position. He […]

Baru Bian seeks to quash PKR’s suit for breaching bond conditions

KUALA LUMPUR: Ba'kelalan state assemblyman (ADUN) Baru Bian has filed an application to strike out the suit filed against him by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), which is seeking RM10 million in damages over alleged breach of bond conditions when he quit the party after winning the 14th General Election (GE14) in 2018. The notice of application was filed through Messrs. YH Teh & Quek on April 6 on the grounds that the High Court of Malaya in Peninsular Malaysia did not have jurisdiction to hear the case because the cause of action arose in Sarawak. The court set May 20 for case management before High Court Judge Roslan Mat Nor. In the application, Baru Bian, who is also the former Member of Parliament for Selangau, said he signed the bond in Kuching on April 25, 2018 and his involvement with PKR was only focused on Sarawak. "The plaintiff's (PKR) actions against me, even if proven true, do not arise in Peninsular Malaysia. The claim arises in Sarawak," he said in the application. Baru Bian is among 16 former MPs and assemblymen who were sued by PKR Secretary-General Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh on behalf of PKR for allegedly violating the terms of a RM10 million bond signed with the party. Also named as defendants are Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar, Datuk Mansor Othman, Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah and Datuk Seri R. Santhara Kumar. Apart from that, Abdul Yunus Jamhari, Datuk Azman Nasrudin, Dr Afif Bahardin, Chong Fat Full, Daroyah Alwi, Haniza Mohamed Talha, Muhammad Hilman Idham, Muhammad Jailani Khamis, Robert Ling Kui Ee and Zulkifli Ibrahim were also named as defendants. In separate suits filed on Feb 19 and 27, PKR claimed that under the operative clause of the bond, each defendant agreed to pay the party RM10 million within seven days of the occurrence of any event including the defendant resigning from the party, joining another political party or becoming an independent elected representative. The plaintiff claimed to have nominated each defendant as a candidate to contest in the 14th GE and successfully won several Parliamentary and State Assembly seats, subsequently forming the Federal Government and several state governments. "However, on 24 Feb 2020, each of the defendants ceased to be party members after being elected under the party banner. They also expressed support for political coalitions other than PKR," PKR said in the statement of claim. PKR announced on March 11, 2020 that the party decided to terminate the membership of each defendant immediately and a certificate dated March 16, 2020 was issued to confirm that the membership of each defendant had been terminated and demanded that each defendant pay a bond of RM10 million, but they failed to do so.

KUALA LUMPUR: Ba’kelalan state assemblyman (ADUN) Baru Bian has filed an application to strike out the suit filed against him by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), which is seeking RM10 million in damages over alleged breach of bond conditions when he quit the party after winning the 14th General Election (GE14) in 2018. The notice of […]