International Women's Day Message & 3^rd Anniversary of 2008 Political Tsunami Message by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in Komtar, George Town on Tuesday, 8^th March 2011: 

International Women's Day Message & 3^rd Anniversary of 2008 Political Tsunami Message by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng 

In conjunction with both International Women's Day and the 3^rd Anniversary of the 2008 political tsunami that denied BN's its historic 2/3 majority and brought a regime change in 5 states, including Penang, has seen Penang transformed as a portrait of progress and seen gains in women's participation in decision-making.

Under the previous administration, only 2 women held senior state government positions. Now under the new PR state administration there are 7 women holding senior state government positions namely.

• State Legal Advisor Dato Faiza binti Zulkifli

• YDP MPPP Patahiyah binti Ismail;

• Newly appointed YDP MPSP Maimunah binti Sharif

• General Manager of iNVESTPenang Loo Lee Lian

• District Officer for Seberang Perai Selatan Hajah Rohani

• General Manager of Penang Global Tourism Ooi Geok Ling; and

• Press Secretary to the Penang Chief Minister Cheong Yin Fan

Penang has not only led the way by appointing more women to senior positions of decision-making but also extended maternity leave to 90 days, which was later adopted by the Federal government.

In 3 years, Penangites have also regained some degree of trust in their state government and in return the government has placed faith in the wisdom of the people.

To overcome public distrust of the state government as an institution that does not help but harm the people, PR has terminated the politics of patronage, cronyism and corruption. Instead PR has gained the people's trust by adopting a people's government centered on 3Es of enabling the people with skills and education, empowering them with rights or opportunities and enriching the people by ensuring that the fruits of economic success can be shared.

PR has shown our faith in the people by stressing that a good government must do three things, listen to the people, do the people's work and give hope to the people. The results of both the people having trust in the state government and the government placing faith in the wisdom of Penangites is an amazing series of historical firsts for Penang. The 10 No.ls for Penang in Malaysia are as follows:-

1. Penang top in investments with RM12,238 million, the largest in Penang's history, or 26% of 2010 Malaysia's total investments;

2. Penang praised for good financial management topping both years 2008 and 2009;

3. Penang top in reducing the crime index for 2010 by 27%, the largest amongst all states;

4. Penang top in green initiatives to make Penang the first green state in Malaysia;

5. Penang top in fighting corruption being the only state government in Malaysia to be praised by Transparency International for our open tenders and CAT governance based on Competency, Accountability and Transparency;

6. Penang top in medical tourism with two-thirds of Malaysia's medical receipts originating from Penang;

7. Penang the first state to give RM100 annually to every senior citizen above 60 as well as wipe out hard-core poverty and ensuring that every family receives at least RM500 a month;

8. Penang has the highest air passenger growth for both domestic and foreign travelers in 2010;

9. Penang top in Malaysia for protecting, preserving and promoting the UNESCO World Heritage City of George Town.

10. Penang now on top as the most livable city in Malaysia on par with Kuala Lumpur.

Let us work together regardless of race and religion to make Penang cleaner, greener and safer for our children.

*Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief Minister