MICCI (Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce & Industry) Luncheon Dialogue
Speech by Chief Minister of Penang
During MICCI (Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce & Industry) Luncheon Dialogue
8 November, 2018, 10.45am
Grand Ballroom @ Heritage Wing, E&O Hotel
YB Dato’ Abdul Halim Hussain
EXCO Domestic & International Trade, Consumer Affairs and Entrepreneur Development
Mr Michel Van Crombrugge
Chairman of MICCI Penang and the North Branch
YBhg. Dato’ Dr Ooi Kee Beng
Executive Director of Penang Institute
En. Mohd Bazid bin Hj. Abdul Kahar
Deputy General Manager of PDC
Ms Sharifah Nazreen
Director of MATRADE Penang
En. Noor Azzam
Director of SME Corp Penang
Members of MICCI and guests
Members of the press
Ladies and gentlemen
Thank you for having me here.
The luncheon today is indeed rightfully titled “Journey to Penang2030: Partnership with Commerce and Industry”. We want the private sector to partner with the state government in achieving Penang2030. However, it is also important to reiterate that many if not all of you here are already the State’s long and good friend and partner in our development goals.
On the 29th of August, I launched Penang2030: A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation.
At the core of this vision is the family unit. I imagine a future where family units are identified for their happiness and self-sufficiency; the idea that each individual and each member of a family unit can live a life of fulfilment; and have the confidence to reach for the stars, should one choose to.
I imagine this family unit being a part of the larger community – and by community, I include the social and natural environment in which it exists. The simple understanding here is that our actions not only affect us, but also others in our community; that in helping others, we also help ourselves. It is about understanding that a family unit that embodies good stewardship of the natural resources that we have.
And importantly, I see this family unit as a future unit; surviving and keeping up with the times.
Penang2030 was conceived after a holistic review of the various projects and initiatives that are ongoing and that have been undertaken by and are within the purview of the state government. As we move into a new age here in Malaysia, and in Penang, of course, I felt that it is important that we frame what we have been doing in a more ambitious manner. And that ambitious manner naturally calls for people empowerment to be a central pillar in how policies are formulated. In doing that, we are sure that the rest of the nation will be inspired.
Given limited resources, the state also feels that it can accomplish more with less if it acts as the facilitator in getting things done. Initiatives from the private sector, under the 4P partnership – public, private, professional and people - from companies, NGOs, from educationists and professionals, and from individuals, should therefore be encouraged where possible, and the state and its agencies are well placed to act as conveyors of knowledge and action and as networkers and advisors to achieve things that they alone would not be able to do.
I imagine a consultative and facilitating state administration under me which is both approachable and open to new ideas. If we are to meet the challenges of the new digital economy successfully, we will need to do it together.
Changes in thinking and in working methods cannot happen too quickly though, and in many areas some patience will be needed from everyone. What we can do is to inspire as many stakeholders as we can, and let the dynamism we create flow through the system.
With that said, the government is already working on blueprints that takes into account the vision laid out in Penang2030: A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspire the Nation.
Within this conceptual framework, there will be four key themes where the strategic initiatives of both the public and the private sectors will be aligned accordingly, namely
1. Increasing liveability to enhance quality of life
2. Upgrade the economy to raise household incomes
3. Empower people to strengthen civic participation
4. Invest in the built environment to improve resilience
The state government is in the process of finalising a number of development blueprints and strategies such as the Penang Green Agenda, the Penang Youth Blueprint, the Penang Agriculture Masterplan, the Penang Tourism Masterplan and the Penang Digital Transformation Plan. Individually, each plan addresses their key area and collectively, they complement each other under the umbrella of Penang2030.
The simple goal is to leave no one behind as we progress as a society. For instance, the Penang Digital Transformation Masterplan that aims to create an environment that enables the pervasive use of digital technologies and the human capital that is able to utilise such technologies for Penang’s and Malaysia’s benefit.
But all in all, there are only that much that the government apparatus can do and much will be required to be complemented by the private sector.
Only then can the cascading down effect can really take place and reach all the families at all social levels in our community. In collaboration with the private sector, we can explore new and innovative ways that go beyond just public-private partnerships.
We want the private sector to also be invested in nation building. A great example of such partnership is the Penang’s Future Foundation Fund or more commonly known as PFF, which has been going on for a few years since 2015. The PFF is a scholarship programme that is only made possible with donations from the private sector to fund outstanding and deserving Malaysian students to pursue their undergraduates studies in Malaysia in STEMA courses. The programme is sponsored by the private sector, while the state government through InvestPenang, in turn put together the back-end processes of disbursement as well as organise the selection process with interviewers from both the public and private sectors.
This is indeed a successful public-private partnership that invests in the young, which eventually increases the STEMA talent pool in Penang to benefit the local workforce and provide industry with the right talents.
In the many dialogues I have chaired and participated in since taking over as the Chief Minister, one of the issues raised by the industry is usually on the industrial park – either in terms of upgrading or maintenance, and the various areas of improvements. As the Chairman of Penang Development Corporation (PDC), I assure you that we take note of the various concerns. Also, different industrial parks have different needs. For example, Batu Kawan as an emerging park may need better infrastructure and constant monitoring on safety issues for the employees while Bayan Lepas which is already a mature park has needs such as better traffic management system. The State continues to appreciate feedback, PDC and InvestPenang are working on the setting up of Business & Industrial Parks Enhancement Council which will have the involvement of the private sector.
In closing, Penang2030 has ambitious goals for our future, and we look forward towards exploring more partnerships with the private sector to make Penang a Family-focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation.
Thank you and have a pleasant day.