Penang to create opposition leader position

The Penang state legislative assembly will table an administrative enactment on Thursday to create the official position of Opposition Leader.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the move was long overdue and the enactment would include a RM1,000 monthly allowance for the position.

“Even though this move is 50 years late, it’s better late than never.

“The enactment is in line with the spirit and concept of democracy which requires a constructive Opposition to provide checks and balances in the state.

“Without an effective Opposition, there is no democracy,” Lim said Wednesday after meeting with the High Commissioner of Canada David B. Collins in Komtar.

Lim said there had been moves to give recognition to the Opposition Leader post in other Pakatan Rakyat states and urged Barisan-led states to follow suit.

“In the past, Barisan never thought it would one day be the Opposition. Now, Barisan knows what it feels like,” he said.

State Health, Welfare and Caring Society committee Phee Boon Poh, who was the sole DAP representative in the state assembly from 2004 to 2008, said he hoped the respect given to the Opposition would help bring about constructive criticism.

“When I was the Opposition Leader, we were never given this type of recognition and I hope the Opposition will respond with constructive criticism for the betterment of the Penang people,” he said during the press conference.

The Star 12 Nov 08