Carolyn Khor's blog

All eyes are on Penang’s Democratic Action Party (DAP) as it prepares for its state elections on 22 September, where the next state DAP chief will be named. This election is of particular interest because the state chairman typically also serves as the chief minister. However, this convention was not followed during Lim Guan Eng’s tenure from 2008 to 2018. Penang chief minister and DAP state chairman Chow Kon Yeow had also recently declined his nomination for the party polls, despite receiving nominations from at least two branches to contest. He said his decision to decline was his first step in initiating his succession plan. This triggered a wave of speculation about the future direction of both his role and the party’s position in the state . Some analysts have interpreted Chow’s move as a strategic decision intended to address upcoming challenges and to facilitate a smooth transition, reflecting his extensive experience and political acumen. The DAP stalwart, who has been ho...

Exchanging oranges for limes, but still better than nothing. Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng is expected to propose on behalf of Pakatan Rakyat, Law Choo Kiang as Speaker and Ustaz Maktar Hj. Shapee as Deputy Speaker for the Penang State Assembly tomorrow (28/6/2013). Both are second term PKR state assemblyman for Bukit Tambun and Sungai Bakap respectively. Deputy Chief Minister 1 for Penang, Rashid Hasnon will second the motion. Lim had also, in his press release, made known that prior to the final decision, Penang PKR chairman, Dato Mansor Othman was unanimously proposed and supported by the Penang EXCO, consisting of both DAP and PKR members, for the Speaker post. He attributes the change to a consultation with Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, PKR’s de facto leader and Parliamentary Opposition Leader. The initial move to propose Dato Mansor may be politically correct, or reversely, simply an olive branch from DAP to iron out the outburst of the ‘Tokong’ issue which emerged s...

It must have come as a pleasant surprise that three women from PKR were selected to be Selangor executive council members together with three others from DAP and four from PAS. Dr. Daroyah joins rank with Elizabeth Wong and Rodziah Ismail in an all-women three-member team after being sworn-in at the palace today. PKR Selangor had fielded six women candidates for its state seats, out of which five won. Twelve others from PKR who won are men. In contrast, Penang has only one woman exco which is held by Chong Eng, the DAP state assemblyman for Padang Lalang. During the 13th General Elections, PKR Penang fielded a total of two women candidates for the Penang state seats, out of which only one succeeded - Dr. Norlela Ariffin from Penanti. Nine others from PKR who won are men. The vast difference in women representation within PKR is largely attributed to the role of women in politics in these two states. At the same time, it must be lauded that Tan Sri Khalid has no qualms appointin...

Sever ties with PAS, DAP told Press Statement by Gerakan Vice-President and Penang Gerakan Chief Dato’ Dr Teng Hock Nan July 14, 2011 Gerakan vice-president Dato’ Dr Teng Hock Nan today challenged DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng to have the guts to sever ties with PAS, now that PAS has been persistently pursuing its intention to establish an Islamic state of government in Kedah. Dr Teng said that Lim and DAP should stop bluffing and misleading the people that PAS would discard its intention of establishing an Islamic state of government in Malaysia. “Stop promising the people that they should not worry and should support Pakatan Rakyat to take over the federal government in the next general elections and that PAS has given up its intention. PAS has no such intention and in fact is using its power in Kedah and Kelantan to vigorously implement policies which encroach into the rights and freedom of other Malaysians who are not of Muslim faith,” said Dr Teng in a statement. ...

Kenyataan Media Mengenai Aduan Terhadap “Corrupt Practices Of MPPP Officers & Former Councillor” oleh Dedah Korupsi (Pro Bono Publico) Berkenaan dengan email daripada “Dedah Korupsi” oleh Pro Bono Publico bertarikh 6 April 2011 berkenaan dengan “Corrupt Practices Of MPPP Officers & Former Councillor”, siasatan telah dijalankan oleh MPPP. Tanah yang dimaksudkan oleh pengadu ialah Lot 13180, Mukim 12, Persiaran Mahsuri 1, Taman Sunway Tunas. Tanah ini diserahkan oleh pemaju Tetuan Sunway Tunas Sdn. Bhd. dengan perjanjian namaan RM1.00 kepada Majlis sebagai tapak penjaja. Tanah ini telah didaftarkan di bawah pemilikan MPPP pada 26 September 2002. Tanah ini diserahkan kepada MPPP sebagai tapak penjaja dalam keadaan tapak kosong yang berlantaikan konkrit dan disediakan juga tempat basuhan. Tapak penjaja ini di bawah pengurusan Bahagian Pelesenan sebagai jabatan yang bertanggungjawab atas pengurusan pasar dan kompleks penjaja. MPPP telah menerima satu permohonan daripada ...

Penang State Government Establishes A New State Executive Council(EXCO) Portfolio For Non-Islamic Religious Affairs To Handle Religious Matters Relating To Buddhists, Christians, Sikhism, Taoism & Hinduism. The Penang state government has established a new State Executive Council portfolio for non-Islamic Affairs to handle religious matters relating to Buddhists, Christians, Sikhism, Taoism & Hinduism. This is the first time that a state executive council portfolio has been formed in Penang and the EXCO member in charge will be the Chief Minister. The State EXCO for Non-Islamic Religious Affairs was presented by Deputy Chief Minister II Professor Dr P. Ramasamy to the weekly state EXCO meeting and approved last week. Professor Dr P. Ramasamy will be the deputy in this non-Islamic Affairs EXCO portfolio. The establishment of the non-Islamic Religious Affairs portfolio marks the celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week by the United Nations this week. Unlike the Federal...

COMMITTEE FOR NON-MUSLIM AFFAIRS – SELANGOR & PENANG I salute the move taken by YAB Lim Guan Eng and the Penang state government in forming an official portfolio for non-muslim affairs, it is an effort that is to be commended. The central aim and objectives of the Committee for non-muslim affairs is to promote greater inter-faith understanding and build strong working relationships between all non-muslim religious bodies and the state governments. For example, Selangor’s non-muslim committee is jointly chaired by myself, YB Teresa Kok and YB Ronnie Liew, along with four other ADUNs, 7 representatives of the main non-muslim religious bodies and various other government department representatives including reps from District Offices, JAIS, JKR, JPS and PTG. The Barisan National government should welcome the initiatives taken by the Penang state government and not feel threatened. Furthermore, it was only 3 days ago that the “PM hailed the government’s interfaith sub-committee as key ...