What a better way to celebrate the Festival of Lights than being recognised as the legitimate citizen of this beautiful country, where you were born and helped to build the nation. Citizenship issue has been long plaguing many in the Indian community since Merdeka. I hope there’s an end to this matter soon as we stepped into a new Malaysia. I would like to thank the Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for heading the special committee on citizenship application and presented the letters of approval for citizenship for 200 people recently.
Although the Indian community only makes up about 9.4% of the total estimated 1.77 million population in Penang, none of them and any other ethnicity, gender or profession are neglected by the State Government. Everyone in Penang, be it working, living or studying here, is an important asset to the state. I am strongly confident that the Indian community is capable to stand tall and shine like everyone else . It is important that we invest in education. It is a vital tool that would pull us out from poverty and narrow the gap of income inequality. I am looking forward to see more professionals from the Indian community.
Since I became the Chief Minister, I’ve been receiving countless courtesy visits and meetings with people of various interests and backgrounds. Each of their plights or suggestions were taken note and acted on. I acknowledge the differences in opinions and criticisms by different parties on policies by the State Government. However, my door is always open and I never shut my ears from listening and engaging everyone in public projects.
Penang economy continues to grow progressively despite a slower economic growth in the nation with 4.5% of GDP growth in the second quarter of this year, comparing to 5.8% in the corresponding quarter last year and 5.4% in 1Q2018. In 2017, we recorded the highest approved manufacturing FDI among states in Malaysia valued at RM8.5 billion, despite being the second smallest state in Malaysia. Domestic manufacturing investment also grew 92% year-on-year to reach RM2.3 billion. Manufacturing sector is no longer the engine growth for Penang. Service sector has overtaken and accounted for 49% of the state’s economy compared with 46% from manufacturing. Tourism plays an important role too and Penang is among the top destinations in the world.
I aspire Penang to be a state we all can proud of, that provides a comfortable, safe and vibrant environment for all. Thus, the Vision Penang2030 was born, as I announced it on 29 August this year, which is aimed at creating a family-focused green and smart state that inspires the nation. I urge “anak-anak Pulau Pinang” who are working or residing abroad to come back and make the state and country a nation to be proud of.
What Penang is proud of is its people. It is the people that make this state unique as we dare to speak up our mind and be the frontline of change. I hope Pakatan Harapan which has been the state government since 2008, will continue to have a strong mandate for many more years to come.
This Deepavali, let’s all get rid of the prejudice and fear of skin colours in us. Let not racist sentiment to grow in Penang. I wish everyone a bright, fulfilled and joyful Deepavali. Happy Deepavali. Deepavali Nalvazhthukkal.