77 Replies to “Ning Baizura’s encounter with Penang CM”

  4. What about BN leaders?Should’nt they travel economy too?
    Imagine how much of the taxpayers’ money could be saved!
    Also no need to bring spouse or bodyguards along unless they pay from their own pockets.

  5. Is it true that for international flights, most first class and business class passengers are the government servants? How are you all entitled to enjoy whereas you are serving for the people? No more business class for the government servants, please.

    And no more private jet for Taib mahmud, the Cheif Minister of Sarawak, please!

  6. He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.
    – Confucius

    “In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.”- Confucius

    This is what our Penang CM, Lim Guan Eng trying to preach as a humble CM yang ‘berjiwa rakyat’ – for the people and with the people.

    As Penangite, I and my family am proud of having Guan Eng as the Penang CM. The night of March 3,2008 is the happiest moment for me and my mom aged 70 years who have been waiting for this moment for the last 40 years to see changes in Penang. I even dreamed that my late dad is happily celebrating and cheering the sweet victory led by Lim Guan Eng.

  7. One can fly like that in economy class a thousand time more but still the $ saved is incompatible to what sleeping beauty did with the Jets during the one month caretaking period.

  8. In not too distant future, as LGE progress to a different phase and pace, we should be ready to accept the need for him to travel with a core team of capable professional advisors brainstorming solutions, preparing upcoming presentations and crafting strategies on the move. (Imagine the scene in Airforce 1)

    It really all depends on what the team is delivering.

    It is acceptable to trade off some monetary terms in exchange for time and quality of decisions, when the end results delivered can match and exceed the expectations.

  9. Glad that Lim Guan Eng had the rakyat’s welfare at heart when he travelled on Government service. Deep in his heart he must be thinking that every dollar he spend it is the rakyat’s hard earned cash. Many of the rakyat are already stretching the ringgit to breaking point and he really feel for them. In travelling economy, he could at least save some of the hard earn cash which could be put to better use for the rakyat.
    Keep it up LGE!!!
    Our PM and DPM should learn from this fine example. Please do notjet in style spending almost RM800 000 with 2 weeks. Think what RM800 000 could do for the poor, Mr. PM and DPM.

  11. Peterchiang, what you said is so very true. Of course this does not mean that the example shown by Guan Eng should not be followed. In fact, all PK leaders, MPs, State Assemblymen, Municipal Councillors should follow the example set by Guan Eng. Yes as Malaysians, we are very proud we have a leader who practises what he preaches.

    Often time when we listen to sermons, we can’t help but feel that talking and preaching are just so easy but living it out is so hard. However, it is in “living it” out that the true impact on others will be felt.

    There is a verse in the scripture (I am sure other religions may say the same thing) that says “to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth”. Guan Eng is definitely a light to many of us – to do good to the society and nation and to demonstrate good examples for others to follow. But please don’t forget the second part of the verse, to be the salt of the earth. Too often, our society and nation become rotten not because they are lack of people doing good but there are simply many doing bad. Leaders must also be the salt in order to prevent the society from decaying. That is why good leaders must continue to seek out those who do bad in the past, present and future, persecute them, and send them to jail. There shall be no graceful retirement for corrupted leaders and leaders who misuse their power while in office. That will be setting bad example and bad precedent for future leaders.

  13. Its scarry how the UMNO led BN goverment is spending our Money .In Port Dickson we have a RM 350,00 toilet .RM 1.9 million was spent on renovetion of the bus terminal.A job wish cost not more then RM 300,000 if a tender was call.During the last GE this UMNO LED BN Goverment was using goverment machinenery and goverment servant as thou all this belong to them.

    I can imagine UMNO tranfering all GLC to UMNO if they lose the next election like what is happening now.

  14. yahoo… i have found another clean soul in malaysia other than Raja Petra. Keep it up CM of Penang. i really respect a person with high moral values…Lim possesses a lot of positive values where we should imitate.Humble man….

  15. Tapek, I tapek you SIR LGE,

    You are a true leader, A leader indeed fits perfectly ” lead by example” but unlike others who advocated the same but FAILed in every sense of the phrase.
    We need more people like you to lead and help those many who were clouded and blinded for 50 years.

    Maybe they need khurssus on leadership and for all i know this maybe an excuse for spending spree on khursus again.

  17. This show that YB Lim Kiat Siang knows how to teach his son. We’ve so many leaders from Batu Pahat and finally we’ve somebody we can be proud of. It feels great to tell my friend Lim Guan Eng used to study at Monfort, Batu Pahat.

  21. I salute and respect you Mr. Lim Guan Eng. I wish all the government servants can learn something from this and do not waste peoples money unnecessarily especialy the PENANG EDUCATION DEPARTMENT and GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS in PENANG and they should get rid of this WASTEFUL UMNO CULTURE FOR ONCE AND FOR ALL.

  22. A leader who walk the talk is a true leader.
    A leader who act out what he preaches is a noble leader.

    YB LGE, I salute you and I thank you.
    You are what we have been waiting for 50 years.

    Do not be disturbed by the nay-sayers. You go ahead and do what you think is good for the rakyat. Even if you have to rough some feathers, please do it if you have to. We, the common rakyat, are 100% with you.

    Ganbatte!

  24. Does Nik Aziz of Kelate travel 1st class too?

    Sometimes it makes sense, sometimes it does not.

    I remember an episode a friend in the civil service told me many years ago.

    There was this middle level civil service officer who was asked to join a trade mission to several European countries. Being junior, he travelled economy class whilst his bosses and members of the private sector in the rombongan all travelled First and Business class.

    What happened was when they arrived at London their first stop, he was the LAST person to emerge from the airport as all the other senior fellows had got out much, much earlier from the Immigration, Baggage Reclaim and Customs. They all had to wait for him on their exclusive chartered busses. He felt honoured but was also quite embarrassed.

    Will LGE hold up any future rombongans that he might lead in the future? Or will everyone downwards now have to travel economy class despite what their contracts of employment might say as to their entitlements?

    As far as I know, very senior civil servants and heads of statutory boards and the like etc etc can travel Business class at least. Nothing wrong with that as it befits their positions.

    But what then is the issue?

    It is the ABUSE of these privileges. Like the chap who keeps travelling on the faintest excuse and run up huge bills well beyond the budget. And he brings alot of hangers on with him all the time. And claim all kinds of re-imbursements. And leads the good life with no results to show.

    I remember Bill Gates of Microsoft once used to travel economy class but he has since progressed upwards. I also recall a Chairman of a Plc who is entitled to a suite whenever he travelled. But he always asks his Secretary to book him a decent Superior room as that is all he needs and he makes full use of the free executive floor business facilities for his meetings.

    In LGE’s case, I think he did the right thing. The KL-Penang route is hardly a hour’s flight so travelling First or Business Class does not make sense. I know of companies that require ALL staff to travel Economy class if the flights are less than 3 hours and Business class if more than 3 hours if they are so entitled to.

    But there are also companies who require their staff to uphold the image of their companies. If they are entitled to travel First Class, then they MUST travel first class. Its not about saving money but upholding their companies’ reputation and name.

    I am also sure that some airlines do give special rates for Government officials for travel. So LGE should check whether he is entilted to First class tickets at special rates and he should take advantage of this if the amount is reasonable. He needs to uphold the dignity of his office and position.

    I know for a fact that many hotels in this country have very, very special room rates for the government, rates the general public can only dream of. No harm taking advantage of these if you are on official business.

    So if one wants to be picky, then the PR government should also forego the many “wasteful” benefits like drivers, gardeners, house maintenence etc etc. They can travel by bus or drive themselves. Entertainment expenses should be on re-imbursement basis and justified and NOT be given as an allowance or additional income. Also, cut off all the “clothing” income. Spend your own money.

    So let us all hope the PR governments can come up with acceptable practices.

  25. HI,
    Sheriff Singh, and others

    Kawan saya kata : Dato’ Nik Aziz selalunya menggunakan Air Asia, bila ada urusan parti ( bayar sendiri ) , Juga guna MAS bila ada urusan rasmi kerajaan. Diskaun penerbangan tidak ada. Kalau anda tahu bagaimana untuk mendapatkannya sila beritahu saya. Setakat ini saya ke Sabah dan Sarawak menggunakan MAS atau AIRASIA kadar yang dikenakan adalah tertinggi atau kadar yang tiada diskaun ( kena tempah melalui ejen ) berbanding apabila apabila pembelian melalui internet ( kita boleh pilih sendiri ).Dato’ Nik Aziz Tinggal di rumah sendiri di Pulau Melaka, Potong elaun untuk derma kepada kerajaan.

    Diskaun hotel kakitangan kerajaan : 10% sahaja, kadang-kadang tidak dapat diskaun, kalau kursus kami terpaksa tinggal di hotel 2 bintang atau 3 bintang sahaja pada kadar RM 80/orang/malam dengan makan. Jangan ingat kakitangan kerajaan istimewa sangat, yang istimewa apabila anda berada pada tahap JUSA atau TURUS sahaja, yang bawah ini biasa sahaja.

  29. There is one local tycoon who used to travel economy class too. I can’t recall his name. He is just practical about it.
    In case of LGE, let us hope that more would follow his footstep.
    Not only that he save for the government, he is in touch with the rakyat if he travel economy. Knows their difficulties and can interact more.

  30. LGE, good on you. With only promptings your inner self, guiding you, you are taking all the wise actions. Others may doubt your motives, hope you would not allow their negativeness to side-track and demotivate you. Just stay devoted to your commitment to want to help those who need help.

  31. fishhook Says:

    Today at 17: 00.38 (2 hours ago)
    Good job LKS in raising such a humble son.

    But isn’t he concern of his safety? Doesn’t the state gov assign at least one bodyguard for him?

    – you only fear when u did something wrong..if u are upholding the truth and justice, what is there to fear? even if something happen to u..u still earn the respect of all the people

  32. Lim Guan Eng have gone through most people have not. He has went to jail many times because of his fight for justice and also detain many time under ISA. So what he did was a walk what he preach. We believe he will deliver in due time. We have great expectation of him. Syabas Mr. Lim keep it up.

  33. “That is why good leaders must continue to seek out those who do bad in the past, present and future, persecute them, and send them to jail. ” Nincompoop

    The word is “prosecute” and not “persecute”. One requires that you break some law or laws. The other does not. Guess which one?

  37. I think a practical scheme should be based on the time needed to travel; like many MNCs like journey below 5 hours, should be economy class; above that business class. It could be tiring if upon arrival YBs are involved in meetings and so forth. Let us be sensible and practical.
    Savings there are but compare with the amount siphoned out be negotiated tenders, all these costs mean nothing!!

  38. I salute Lim Guan Eng you give my son a hope to make Malaysia a great nation. But LKS you should adivse LGE should at least hire one bodyguard and legal advisor. I don’t want some one trying to do some bad things to our belove leader such as using all kind of law such as Sedition Act, OSA and ISA.

  39. I think for a start, to show that Pakatan Rakyat leaders are truly down-to-earth mixing with the Rakyat, I suggest they take a truly Rakyat airline instead of MAS.

    Let’s also see LGE & other fly AirAsia from LCCT.

  41. The BN/UMNO buggers must be tearing their hair out. So used to extravagant lifestyles on taxpayers’ money, this example by LGE has raised the bar so much on decent behavior by Govt leaders that the BN/UMNO parasites would now find it difficult to emulate. If you are used to wasting RM200m of taxpayers’ money to buy a private plane that you can jet set around the world with your family, it would be extremely hard to travel economy class.

  42. If you’re referring to a possible assassination of any of our leaders (God forbids), well the murder of business tycoon Boon Siew remains unsolved to this day and so was the murder of the IGP in the mid 70s. Much as we would like to believe that the IGP was murdered by communist terrorists in broad daylight in front of witnesses, the truth may lie elsewhere.

    If you have to worry about your personal safety all the time, you’ll not be able to carry out your duties to the people who voted you in. But the Chief Minister of Penang should travel with at least two security personnel trained and paid for by the state government and one at least his own personal bodyguard and another to look after his family.

  45. “undergrad2, look like you too are seeing the futility of fighting within the existing legal and judicial system – the position I adhered to all along, remember?” limkamput

    There is a difference between your position and mine.

    You appear to me to assume the position of an anarchist. I don’t. Corrupt though the judiciary maybe, independent though it is not, there is still the law and the rule of law.

    Some legislation is clearly meant to stifle political opposition. It needs to be repealed if not amended and we can only do that through the political process – corrupt though the political process may be. But we succeeded to some extent, didn’t we?

  46. Well you assumed wrong. I was never an anarchist. I remembered i said it is not a legal battle but a political process. Yes, to some extent we succeeded, but I must say it is still unfolding.

  48. Dear YB Lim Kit Siang,

    I am very proud and greatly touched by you and your son! Bravo to you both! Well, rakyat…after many years of public fund wastage by BN leaders, its time to vote them OUT from the goverment in the next general election!

    Your family’s devotion to serve and defend the Rakyat is truly a gift from God to all Malaysians!

    God bless.

  51. YB LGE, i feel very pround to notice that you are spending taxpayer money with care (another point scored) and you are “close” to rakyat at economy class. I suppose your state government officers (who may be in the same flight with you) who are suppose to be close to rakyat are in business class if not 1st class hah… .

    Next, theoretically i think it is ok for politician like YB to be walking around alone in Malaysia….. YB, however, it is time to take some safety measures especially you are fighting an uphill batter.

  52. LGE, there is no harm in your having to travel by first class on business assignments. In the past 40 years I have mainly travelled economy class even on overseas business assignments. It is stressful, especially if you have a full agenda on your mind.

    Economy class is uncomfortable and you tend to fidget constantly due to discomfort. In first or business class you can be more relaxed and be actually be more mentally productive.

    When you run the state govt, the additional flight costs in first or business class is insignificant compared to the welfare and other costs incurred to develop the needs of the rakyat. As long as you do not abuse your privileges as head of state, I and the rakyat see no reason for you to save a few ringgit compared to the abuse of billions of ringgit squandered by the BN govt. for personal gain!

    Syabas and keep up the good work.

  54. Good Governance u sure are doing a good job LGE =) BN should take you as an example and that way they can save alot of money and channel it to the people.They lavishly spend rakyats money heard about rm500k toilets in d midst of kl which i dont think is necessary to the countries development neway good job CM ur actions clearly screams leadership by example

  55. way to go LGE! next step AirAsia!! Or firefly! LOL just joking :) A good leader must also be punctual, and thats why you fly MAS… LGE puts ol sleepy big-ears to shame…

  56. This may be out of topic, but i just want too add one of my views. Pls give me your views too. Is it Rapid KL’s written rules that only Malays can become their bus drivers and not other race. If you’re depending on Rapid KL daily, I’m sure you would agree with me how robotic these drivers are. Most of them are not disciplined, not regular in their timings, fail to stop at the bus-stops even if the passengers are waiting for more than an hour, or sometimes stop further than the stop expecting them to run after the bus. I wish the bus services would improve first as before.

  57. In Sarawak when the Chief Minister travels, he rides to the airport in his Rolls Royce led by a team of police outriders with sirens screaming causing danger and inconvenience to other road users. He is taken to the VVVVIP lounge accompanied by dozens of slaves. He travels by private jet.
    the most junior of assistant ministers use the VVIP lounge and travels nothing but first class while on official duty.
    LGE and Tok Guru are true peoples’ leaders.

  58. It might be a bit too far fetched but I hope LGE will take every reasonable precaution for his safety. The people and the country is looking forward to him and all the good PR political leaders to change the political landscape of the country which had been mired with bad governance, especially for the last 25 years or so.

    To me whatever good practices by leaders are highly accorded and appreciated but it must not be at the expense of personal safety, Good leaders are hard to come by in this beloved land of ours.

  59. I think we should not over-play this fact. In any MNCs or even local companies, it is the usual rule for flights under four hours to be on Economy, and above that, staff are usually put on Business Class, more for comfort and productivity reason than for an ego trip. You don’t want your staff to arrive for a business meeting after an 18 hour flight all tired out.

    So, should LGE or any politicians go on Business Class on long-haul flight, let’s not begrudge them. Also, if you notice, on LA flights, SIA has configured its flights to an all-Business class setup.

    All long as LGE doesn’t buy an Airbus or a big yacht for his own use, unlike some others, I think it should be okay…

  60. Our Penang CM, LGE really “Walk the Talk”. You are a true Leader! However, if you are traveling long distance please take business class, you deserve it!

    Let’s see who is the next person from BN will start taking Economy class.

  61. phat Says:
    Today at 10: 25.15 (7 hours ago)

    to phat i would agree with ur views bout rapidkl busses being a frequent traveller i k busses when their promised frequency is 40mins ,despite having good buses they should sack these incompetant lazy drivers and hire according to experience and professionalism not just race..however thernow what its like waiting for an hour plus for their expresse are some good bus drivers out there

  62. What Guan Eng was indeed something to be proud of. But, I also wish to state two things. Firstly, let not this be a one-off thing e.g. for show and be truly sincere. Secondly, I feel the Rakyat is also an understanding bunch e.g. we would definitely approve of actions that are “reasonable”. For instance, taking an Economy class from Penang to KL which is only 45 minute ride to save money is noble. However, if actions are exaggerated e.g. propose all MP’s to travel from KL to Singapore via coach which is a 4-5 hour journey would be unacceptable because although money can be saved but, the duration of time spend in the bus would be a waste of resources. So, bottom line, the Rakyat is watching but, what is more important is the ability of the government to perform e.g. bringing new investments, make life more comfortable for the Rakyat or make the government more transparent. If serious efforts are taken to ensure this, trivial things like whether to take economy or business would be irrelevant.

  63. Let’s praise the father as well. His teaching at home produced a nice boy, and his preaching to the country produced good citizens.

    Many years ago, when we heard of this opposition members, we thought he could be simply shouting and shouting, and he would suddenly disappear from the political scene like many other opposition politicians. But a few decades later, he is still around. He produced encouraging results. I think many of us did not envisioned his success a few decades ago.

    Of course, the sucess of LKS would not have come if without the votes of people from his constituencies. In Sarawak, many of us are still afraid of voting for the opposition, because we are afraid of the possible punishments by the Barisan. Punishments can be in different forms, such as your job if you are a government servant, not developing your town if the opposition gains control, etc. So we must salute the majority of people who voted for the opposition.

    I have been wondering. What happen if LKS were a YB from Penang with his son, instead of MP Perak? Would the father tell the son to go ahead to be the chief minister? Many of us think that state is the first step followed by national. But LKS is now on the standby with Anwar, both to become the federal ministers. I think his title must be the deputy Prime Minister, and perhaps with another post in the cabinet. He must be at least the No 2 person in this country.

    Can we think of something about LKS in the federal cabinet?

  65. totally waste of time queing up when he got more important issues to address…..what is he trying to prove? that he is humble to the core? forget it…..all politicians are crooks….

  67. YB CM Lim should set this as the standard for all his state govn. and to review all the guidelines, rules and regulations on travalling etc. for civil servants. May be he should benchmark this against the corporate sectors. We should not go to the extremes that govn servant should travell only by the cheapest way and ended up wasting much precious time!!! e.g. I can go to the govn. hospital and pay only RM1 for the service, but I need to spend half a day there waiting. It is almost free, but half a day was lost!!!

  68. My company HR executive travel to Europe using Business Class, because it is a long distance journey. She is not even a mgr, or assistant mgr.

    PL travel to Egypt using his private jet.

    If the BN govt. did not invest Penangites money into waste or private projects, our CM will be able to have his or her own private jet. As a penangites, it is sad to see our leader travelling in economy class while those stupid 55 NGO heads or ex-BN wives travelling in business class at the expense of Penangites money they cheated while they are still in office.

    All these Karma are due to previous BN govt. corruptions. When big firms come to Penang invest, those money are siphon or convert to pocket money to buy some benz causes YB LGE today to show the world that, this happen when previous govt. is too corrupt, and now he have to take economy class.

    The federal govt. took away all Penangites money and cut down everything till the state govt. have nothing left. Even the reclaimation of Penang island are been sold and privatized by the Federal govt. The BN govt. has been robing the Penangites till we are so poor, our leader don’t even have a private jet.

  69. The BN Govn. always ask the consumers i.e. rakyat in general to think first whether it is a need or it is a want when buying something in order to avoid high inflation, I wonder whether they ask the same question whenever they buy something (a jet for AAB? or carry out any mega project?) !!! Time to change!!!

  70. if i may ask the ministers to be humble, please stop using those expensive imported cars. use the cars that are more economical and environmental friendly. in this case, you may cycle or walk to work that is good for your health.

  71. I would like to propose to YB Lim to get BN goven. to list COST CUTTING, PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT, EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT as three of the Top Ten Priorities of the federal govn. other than to bring down the crime rate etc etc. (so far, there is no mention of the KPI (Key performance index) on the 7 priorities yet). So there should be Top 10 priorities now!!!

  73. Hello! its 50 yrs

    “to list COST CUTTING, PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT, EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT”

    The opposition have list almost thousand of them and almost raise the list at every opportunity arise in the parliament, but do u think the “Big Foot” scoundrel BN listen or the sleeping dragon PL care much?

    “cars that are more economical and environmental friendly”
    Environmental friendly car is still expensive compare to conventional car.

    Majority of the BN leader opt. for BMW or Benz, they don’t even know how to spell out “Economical” and don’t even bother to buy national car.

    The above 2 points are useless becos BN politician are deaf.

    “bring down the crime rate ”

    This is important, since Opposition State take over the State affairs, I already informed and wrote earlier in the blogs, that there will be mass robbery at Goldsmith, Bank, Exchange Rate shop, and trouble. There should hired more patrol guards, to monitor or prevent untoward incidents.

  74. If BN Politician did listen and practice what they promise, Malaysia will be so advance it can even out compete Singapore.

    Singaporean will then come Malaysia to seek for job.

  75. “thank God, a person who treat a state like a private run firm…every sen count…” Ha..Ha.. UMNo always run the country like its their father’s business and run the GLC like their own business…. Long live LGE!!!

  76. There are many good leaders out there…I worked in a travel agent and i served many ministers, deputy ministers….. though there are many craps in BN but the former health minister dr chua is the very rare example who oftenly travelled with Air Asia for his official mission….said by flying Air Asia he can utilised his time for more work.

  77. I recalled, he oso visit some ladies or female friend at Hotel saving those air fares for health.

    It is a nice word when Police caught u inside a den with a female on top, u would said she’s my female friend, what’s wrong?

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