WOW THREE YEARS AND STILL COUNTING.

DANG! Its already 3 years and PR is still holding on despite the nefarious onslaught of the government apparatus – the scurrilously opprobrious media invertebrates, rheumatoid judiciary, decadently effete EC, purchasable and obnubilate civil service, the namby-pamby wishy-washy venal Police, and the two-bit densely dumb and inefficacious MACC.

Congrats Pakatan Rakyat.

Of course we lost Perak because the DEVIL(s) and the above-mentioned played their roles to the T! Admittedly Pakatan collected a few strays pre308, but thankfully like all sewage they flowed effortlessly into where they rightfully belonged – the sludge pond of ejected rejects either to biodegrade or contaminate whosoever is insane enough to consort with them.

So how is Pakatan faring?

Stoically well, let me volunteer; admirably acceptable despite all the unscrupulous hurdles put up every step they progressed. Of course, like most fledglings some flexed their muscles ahead of time and stumbled embarrassingly. But like everything, weaknesses, missteps and faults are part and parcel of the learning curve and maturing process. I always hold that we must not dwell too much on weaknesses. Nobody can claim infallibility! If we know our strengths, we need to nurture and work assiduously on these strengths and invariably weaknesses will either disappear or be less obvious. Like vultures the government in office will scavenge and make capital of Pakatan witnesses.

What then are Pakatan strengths?

Good incorruptible governance, despite grudging federal aid, if any, and cooperation. The rakyat’s needs are very basic. Give them good governance whereby everybody gets a share of the economic cake that they worked for and are thus entitled to.

It is believed that the 4 Pakatan states collectively have surpassed economically against the BN controlled states.

I produce here a Penang CM Lim Guan Eng’s press release that never appeared in the BN controlled media. This may have appeared in the alternative media but I have purposely embargoed it for this occasion, the 3^rd Anniversary of Pakatan governance in Kelantan, Penang, Selangor and Kedah:

Penang Is The No.1 State For Total Capital Investments In 2010 Attracting RM 12,238 Million, Up Nearly 5 Times As Compared To RM 2,165 Million In 2009 And Comprising 26% Of Malaysia’s Total Investments Of RM47,177 Million For 2010.

According to Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA), Penang is the No.1 state for total capital investments in manufacturing projects in 2010 attracting RM 12,238 million, up nearly 5 times as compared to RM 2,165 million in 2009. This is the first time in history that Penang has topped the list of investments amongst all states and is the highest investment received ever. This success is due to the hard work by the 1.6 million Penangites together with state government leaders and agencies as well as federal government agencies from MIDA and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

Penang’s investments were derived from new investments of RM 2,846 million and expansion by existing investors of RM 9,392 million. Clearly these figures only captured those industries that sought incentives from MIDA and not the new or expansion investments that did not require grants from the federal government.

The significance of this historic achievement is highlighted by Penang contribution of RM 12,238 million to Malaysia investment constituting 26% of Malaysia’s total investments of RM 47,177 million of 2010. Yesterday Minister of international trade and industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed announced a 45% increase in Malaysia 2010 investment performance from RM 32,637 million in 2009 to RM 47,177 million in 2010. Penang moved up from No. 4 in 2009 to Nol 1 in 2010, increasing by 465% from RM 2,165 million in 2009 to RM 12,238 million in 2010.(see attached)

The 465% increase in investments in Penang reflects confidence in the energy, expertise and entrepreneurship of our human talent. Further this is an affirmation of the state government’s strategy of promoting Penang as a location of choice based on 7 critical success factors(CSF) of growth:-

1. Ready availability of skilled human talent;

2. Effective and efficient supply chain management;

3. Competent and reliable logistics and communications hub;

4. Strong Intellectual Property protection;

5. Good governance and effective leadership;

6. Building creativity and innovation in science and technology;

7. Livable and intelligent city.

Penang believes that CAT governance of competency, accountability and transparency have also built confidence that a government with integrity can make things happen and both execute and deliver. Penang was not only the best performer in managing state finances in Malaysia according to the Auditor-General Report for 2009 but also received accolades for anti-corruption from Transparency International.

As the newly-crowned champion amongst all states in attracting investments, the Penang state government wishes to congratulate the people of Penang. With the best financial performance, the best state in clean governance, the best green practices and now the top performer in investments, Penangites can now proudly say “Penang Leads!”.