By Shannon Teoh
June 17, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 — Lim Guan Eng said today Penang will “learn more” from Hong Kong in embracing change and openly engaging regional neighbours.
The Penang chief minister told foreign correspondents in Hong Kong that the two “small states… have so much in common,” sharing a joint appreciation of open discussion and successfully putting “ourselves on the map internationally.”
“Here in Hong Kong, when the 1997 turnover happened, you embraced a new future. In 2008, in Penang and other Pakatan Rakyat-run (PR) governments, we also embraced the future and continue to do so,” he said, comparing the transfer of Hong Kong’s sovereignty from Britain to China with the March 2008 election in Malaysia when PR won five states.
The DAP secretary general added that “global political realignment since 1997 has also taught us of the need to never put all of one’s eggs in one basket, to diversify. This is why in Penang, while we are deeply engaged in working with China and Hong Kong, we also are eagerly engaging Indonesia, India, Thailand and Singapore, our regional neighbours.”
“We cannot be locked in the past and allow the past to close off possibilities of a better future,” he said.
The chief minister said that to maintain its competitiveness, Penang needed to revamp its infrastructure and all infrastructure projects would be awarded by open tender.
“We look forward to having new investment partners, and richer collaboration. Here in Hong Kong we want the financial sector to understand the reasons we are an attractive investment location, namely a new commitment to economic revitalisation and quality governance,” he said.
Lim added both Hong Kong and Penang knew that progress in a changing world required the states to “adapt and transform.”
“I have long admired Hong Kong’s adaptability and innovation, how it has managed to stay a leader in the financial sector and serve as a hub for economic growth in Northeast Asia. I am looking forward to learning more from Hong Kong and forging new ties here,” said the Bagan MP.
He added it was crucial to have “equal opportunities for the young and talented to grow and fulfil their potential.”
“We believe that this is the way forward for Penang to be both the sweat shop of the manufacturing and services sector and the smart shop for the future knowledge-based economy,” Lim said.