The former chief minister of Penang, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, has challenged his successor to reveal an industrial development blueprint for the state.
He claimed that Lim Guan Eng had announced in Singapore last year that the state government had a plan for Penang but there was nothing to show so far.
“Maybe after today, Lim will quickly pull something together but I want to remind him that it's been a year,” Dr Koh said when opening the Penang Barisan Nasional convention at the Tabung Haji Complex in Bayan Lepas yesterday.
Dr Koh, who is also Penang Barisan chairman, said the late Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu had started the economic transformation for the state.
“He was in the Opposition at the time but he worked closely with then Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein to develop Penang.
“I was lucky to take over when the economic transformation had already started.
He accused Lim of relying on the Federal Government's development plans such as the Northern Corridor Economic Region without coming up with anything on his own since Pakatan won the state in 2008.
At a press conference later, Dr Koh made light of speculation that there were groups out to hold an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to topple him.
Saying that criticisms happened in every political party, Dr Koh said Gerakan was always willing to hear constructive feedback.
“I think there may be voices in the wilderness' with personal grievances,” he said, referring to reports on a possible EGM for a vote of no-confidence against him.
At a separate event, Lim said the state indeed has an industrial masterplan called the Penang Industrial Blueprint 2011-2015 which had been shelved for the Greater Penang Masterplan.
“I'm surprised Dr Koh brought this up as he, as the minister in charge, should know better about the Greater Penang Masterplan as it comes under his ministry's purview,” he told a press conference after launching the Penang Hepatitis Day here yesterday.
Lim welcomed those interested to take a look at the Penang Industrial Blueprint 2011-2015 at his office.
