The expected resignations of PAS representatives from the Penang state government will be immediately accepted without question because there is no impact whatsoever on the stability, continuity and crediblity of the Penang state government. The resignations of the PAS representatives from the Penang state government is inevitable following the PAS Muktamar’s decision to accept a motion by its Dewan Ulama to sever ties with DAP and yet remain in Pakatan Rakyat (PR) without debate. Even though no debate was permitted during the PAS Muktamar for such an important motion, the new PAS leadership is entitled to run its party in a manner it deems fit, whether in a democratic or an autocratic style.
I will not comment but leave it to PAS to answer the seeming self-contradictory position of PAS severing ties with DAP but yet remain in PR when PR comprises of the three parties of DAP, PKR and PAS. PR works on a consensus by all 3 parties and no one party can decide on PR’s behalf. However PAS has the freedom and right to sever relations with the DAP.
For this reason, following the passage of the motion without allowing for any debate to sever ties with DAP, PAS representatives have no choice but to resign from the Penang state government and its agencies as well as municipal councillors and Village Development & Security Committees(JKKKs). Whilst I enjoys friendly and good working relations with many PAS representatives, I understand they would have to resign for ethical and moral reasons. It would be politically untenable for them to remain in the Penang state government led by me in my capacity as DAP secretary-General, when PAS Muktamar has severed relations with DAP.
The stability, continuity and credibility of the PR Penang state government will not be affected by the absence of PAS representatives in government. Both DAP and PKR will still enjoy its 2/3 majority. With the present 30 out of 40 Penang state Assembly seats, without the PAS single ADUN, PR Penang will still have 29 seats and a comfortable 2/3 majority.
The Penang state government will continue its focus in transforming Penang into an international and intelligent city that is clean, green safe and healthy. Last year investment increased by 110% from RM3.9 billion in 2013 to RM8.2 billion in 2014. For the first 3 months of 2015, Penang attracted RM2.9 billion, the second highest in Malaysia. Tourism has also grown from strength to strength with passenger movements in the Penang International Airport growing by 10% last year.
The strong economic performance of Penang under PR can be seen by the amount of direct and indirect taxes paid by Penang to the Federal government, increasing from RM4.1 billion in 2010 to RM6.3 billion in 2014. Despite being the 2nd smallest state in Malaysia, Penang is the third highest state taxpayer. The Penang state government continued to record annual budget surpluses since taking over in 2008 and have even instructed our local government authorities to absorb GST paid by the rakyat to lessen their financial burdens.