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Good Governance & An
Accountable Administration Chinese New Year Message by Betty Chew Gek Cheng (Melaka, Monday): The year of the Monkey will be remembered as the year of scandals in the Melaka state government. DAP leaders have exposed expensive holiday junkets at public expense, abuse of power by approving funding to one’s own relatives, abuse of public funds for political purposes and public projects tendered out at high cost where 20 rubbish bins at RM 80 each was purchased for RM 880 each. Malaccans are proud of their history. Tourism is the second biggest revenue earner after manufacturing. To improve tourist facilities, going for expensive trips is not the answer. Good governance and an accountable administration is. What is the use of going for expensive trips overseas when Melaka can not have international standard roads, drains and street lightings that work? Melaka Chief Minister does not have to go to America to see good roads, the roads in Hainan Island are better than Melaka. Isn’t it ridiculous that Melaka still can not have coordination in public works projects, where newly tarred roads are dug up to lay cables.. This year is the 600th anniversary of Cheng Ho’s first voyage to the Western seas in 1405. DAP hopes that the Melaka State Government would mark this important event of first contact and friendship between Chinese and Malays with state-wide celebrations. Cheng Ho came in peace offered then a unique Chinese system of government that benefited many countries. Likewise 600 years later there is a system of government called democracy that gives the people an opportunity to have a say and participate in the running of their government. Historical records have always shown that democracies are richer and more prosperous than non-democratic ones. If the people of Melaka have the will, let the year of the Rooster then be the year of good governance and an accountable administration. The people of Melaka deserves it, tourists will be impressed by it. (7/2/2005) * Betty Chew Gek Cheng, DAP Melaka State Opposition Leader And ADUN for Kota Laksamana |