Officials from the Penang Chief Minister’s Office should learn basic etiquette

4 October 2012


The Pakatan Penang state government should be criticised as they clearly are unqualified in hospitality, and actually have the cheek to claim that they are a CAT government of Competency, Accountable and Transparent.

The Penang BN Youth leaders had headed to Menara Komtar to present the 1% deposit as downpayment for the 0.45ha Taman Manggis land on Jalan Zainal Abidin. Unfortunately, security personnel blocked access to the administrative center of the state government.

It is regretable that when the Penang BN Youth leaders went to Komtar to submit the deposit to purchase the land, three security personnel locked the door to prevent them from entering. Guan Eng’s confidential secretary Farida Hani M. Yacob came to negotiate and informed that the administrative official would be back only at 12:00 noon, and thus, could not personally meet the state BN Youth leaders.

The Chief Minister’s office had on Monday, 1 Oct 2012, received a notice by the Penang BN Youth for an appointment, informing that they would be arriving at 10:30 a.m. on 3 October 2012 to submit the deposit for the purchase. Unfortunately, just for this 1% deposit process, it took 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete the task.

Considering that the Penang BN Youth leaders had given advance notice to officials of the Chief Minister’s office in relation to purchase of the land, regardless of whether the CM’s office had promised or reject the delegation, they should promptly inform the other, rather than sending his official and guards to make things difficult for them so that he can avoid receiving the payment.

Be a dignified administration. Even the most basic etiquette of greeting guests, they do not even know? The core of hospitality etiquette is respect. To respect oneself is to show respect for others.

Due to the improper arrangement on the department heads, with officials who are inadequate on hospitality services and insufficient provision of information, the rakyat cannot help suspect that the state government’s dealing of land transaction is not competent. Before the appointment of department heads, political secretary Ng Wei Aik offer of mediation for the Penang Barisan Nasional Youth Mission is just a political show.

In order to put an end to these circumstances, I would like to suggest that the state government should strengthen the training of officials to uphold the image of the state government, keep up with the demands of the times and to set a good and friendly image in order to obtain trust and goodwill in all aspects.

The DAP-led Penang state government is advised not to betray the trust given by Penangites which the former had sought when they politically maneuvered to gain the rakyat’s support and vote. Political showmanship do not bring any practical results in reality.

I wish to remind the Penang state government to solemnly observe that Penang’s total foreign investment in the first four months of this year plunged to the 6th place. This should have sounded off the alarm of which the Penang state government should have undertaken positive initiatives to work hard to deliver on the economy instead of spending all day playing up political tricks.

According to the latest data by the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA), Penang’s ranking on foreign investment dropt to the 6th spot. As for the total amount of foreign and domestic investment, Penang’s ranking fell to the 7th position. The current economic situation in Penang is indeed worrisome.

Tan Cheng Liang
Wanita MCA Penang Chairman
Penang Barisan Nasional Publicity Chairman