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Saturday March 15, 2008

Support from Muslim NGOs

By DERRICK VINESH and NG SU-ANN

PENANG: Twenty-two Muslim non-governmental organisations have expressed support for the state government’s call for transparency in implementing the New Economic Policy (NEP).

Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) Penang adviser Dr Danial Zainal Abidin said representatives from the organisations met Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng yesterday morning and realised that the state government was not against the NEP.

Cordial meeting: Lim greeting the representatives from the 22 Muslim non-governmental organisations in Penang yesterday.
“Lim told us that he had no intention of throwing away the NEP. He, however, mentioned that it had been tainted with cronyism and corruption, and that is what he wants to throw away, not the entire NEP.

“So, if that is the idea, then we agree with him,” he said after a dialogue session with Lim at Komtar yesterday.

Lim had on his first day as Chief Minister said he would practise an open tender policy for the awarding of contracts and projects to prevent cronyism and corruption.

Dr Danial said Islam stressed on transparency and justice not only for Muslims but also for all religions and races and that the NGOs want the government to be transparent and clean.

“I think YAB has listened and agreed to what we said. If he can fulfil these, then it is in line with Islamic regulations and rules,” he said.

Dr Danial said the NGOs were concerned about the fate of Penang Malays and Islamic institutions after hearing talk that the new state government might curb their activities.

He said the NGOs had asked Lim on the state’s policy concerning mosques, suraus, Sekolah Agama Rakyat as well as on the problems faced by the Malays in Tanjung Tokong.

“Lim has answered them well and we hope he can fulfil the state’s promises,” he said.

When met by reporters later, Lim told the people to stop listening to rumours that the Penang Malays would be marginalised under the DAP-PKR coalition rule.

“Before being sworn-in as Chief Minister, I went to Tanjung Tokong to find out about the problems faced by the Malays there.

“So, I wish to reiterate that we are a government for all Malaysians, irrespective of race, religion and background,” he said.

In KUALA LUMPUR, JIM president Zaid Kamaruddin urged the Opposition coalition to fulfil its promise to the people to set up efficient administrations by formulating policies that focused on the common good of the people rather than their respective ideologies.

Zaid told a press conference here yesterday that the Federal Government should also be fair to all state governments ruled by the Opposition coalition.

“Before the general election, the Prime Minister did not sideline Kelantan in the northern corridor development. That was a good indication. This practice should be continued. If Barisan Nasional wants to restore its glory days, it has to be more responsive to the people.”

Meanwhile, JIM's women wing chief Dr Harlina Halizah Siraj believed that the Malays were ready to compete on a level playing field with the other races if the NEP were to be abolished.

“The change in the political landscape is a wakeup call for the Malays. They should be showing that they deserve certain positions based on merit, and not on the Malay quota.

“That is the message that should be conveyed to the younger generation of Malays. On one hand, the Malays are happy with changes, but on the other hand, they are shocked with the consequences,” she added.

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