Stick to The Facts!

By Jeffrey Chew, Special Investment Officer To Penang Chief Minister

Wanita MCA Deputy Secretary General Tan Cheng Liang should stick to facts, figures and statistics and acknowledge that Penang recorded the highest debt reduction amongst all states in Malaysian history when the PR state government succeeded in slicing off RM600 million or 95% off the state’s debt since taking over in 2008.

When PR took over Penang on 8 March 2011, Penang’s debts amounted to RM630 million. Now Penang state’s debts has been reduced by a whopping 95% or RM600 million, the highest almongst all states in Malaysian history. The Chief Minister had explained how this historic debt reduction was achieved during his 2012 Budget presentation speech at the Penang state assembly in October 2011. Tan Cheng Liang should refer to the Chief Minister’s speech and not make wild and baseless allegations.

Tan Cheng Liang should not forget two facts. One that Penang state debts has indeed been reduced by 95% to RM30 million, a feat never achieved by BN. Two the 95% debt reduction from March 8 2008 until end October 2011 is the highest amongst all states in Malaysian history. I challenge Tan to state which Peninsular state government has a higher % debt reduction than Penang’s 95%.

To try to fudge the issue by not talking about % comparison is dishonest and shows not just her ignorance about basic accounting but
also her desperation to take away credit belonging the the PR state government. As a good basketball player, the Chief Minister would not
be so presumptuous as to try to teach Tan Cheng Liang how to play basketball just as Tan Cheng Liang should not pretend to know about
accounting and financial management.

Tan should realise that both Transparency International and Audtior-General Report had praised the Penang state government for sound financial management that recorded not only budget surpluses annually but also rescued Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai from bankruptcy.