Don't assume we failed to listen to the people - Penang exco member

A Penang executive councillor dismissed claims that the state’s assemblypersons have failed to listen to the people's plight just because none of them attended an NGO forum on Saturday.

PKR’s Dr Afif Bahardin (photo), who is the Seberang Jaya assemblyperson, said Penang Forum had the right to organise the "Peduli Rakyat" forum as it is a democratic country.

"However, they (activists) should not assume that just because we (assemblypersons) did not attend their forum, we do not listen to the people," Afif told Malaysiakini.

"We are elected every five years so that we can listen to the people and work out solutions for them in the best interests of everyone.

"The role of NGOs and elected representatives or government is different. We are here to provide solutions to the people, and for the younger generations," he said.

Afif added that Penang government representatives, including the assemblypersons, have been engaging communities from time to time.

These engagements can be found in his twitter updates, Afif said.

Yesterday, the DAP Penang legislative assembly backbenchers accused Penang Forum of being "an unelected and undemocratic entity."

They were responding to a Malaysiakini news report which criticised the assemblypersons for not "listening" to the people.

Twenty speakers from various platforms, including those who oppose issues such as the south reclamation project, tax assessment hike and illegal plastic waste, spoke at the Penang Forum’s four-hour forum (below).

The DAP reps said Penang Forum claims to be apolitical and a voice of civil society yet a senior member of the NGO has speaking engagements with Parti Gerakan Rakyat, an opposition party which once ruled Penang as part of the BN administration.

"Another speaker, Zikrullah Ismail, is a PAS youth leader from Bayan Baru.

"With so much political connection and ambition involved, Penang Forum leaders should not continue to hide behind the veil of civil society and join political parties or form a new one," said the Penang DAP backbenchers in a statement.

Afif queried the NGOs if they have solutions to improve the livelihood of the fisherfolks, whom they said will be affected by the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project.

He said most of the fisherfolks come from the low-income group and are seeking opportunities to improve their lives.

"Has Penang Forum ever spoken to the fishing communities on how they can structurally improve their incomes and livelihood?

"They (NGOs) can oppose the project, it is their right. They can talk and talk and talk but do they have solutions for the fishing or marginalised communities?

"As the government, we are tasked to find solutions which will benefit communities in the future, while addressing concerns in the present and finding solutions for the future generation," he said.

PSR, which involves the creation of three artificial islands off the south coast of Penang island, is strongly opposed by NGOs and the Penang Fishermen Association, who claim their seafood business and daily catch would be destroyed by the reclamation. - Mkini