The Price of Ubah

The Price of Ubah

by Datuk Huan Cheng Guan

Chairman

Persatuan Anak Jati Pulau Pinang

About six and a half years ago, Penangites rejoiced when the DAP state government took over the reins of power from BN. From joyous laughter and clapping, many are wiping their silent tears for it is glaringly clear that the state government’s decisions and fiscal policies ignore the livelihood and financial burden of Penangites.

We have seen successive decisions in the increasing water  tariffs (announced during the possibility of water cuts with the irrational rationale that it would promote water conservation). Then we witnessed the imposition of a levy on hotel rooms with the lame excuse that it was to help promote tourism but never gave any reason why Malaysians also have to pay the levy.

We have just seen an increase in the rental rate(in some cases up to 100%) for hawkers stalls in Seberang Prai – a decision made with no dialogue with the affected hawkers but approved in the monthly meetings of the Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) in May 2014.

At a dialogue after the increase was imposed, “The increase of rental rates will not only help the council recover from its financial struggle but also allows us to build new facilities for traders.

“Those who are trading without licences will first be issued with a notice, then fined and finally have their items confiscated if they continue to disobey the warnings,” she said.

Is this making ordinary citizens pay more the ONLY way MPSP can recover from its ‘financial struggle’? Should they not explore other cost cutting measures?

MPSP President Maimunah Mohd Shariff said the increase was vital because the revenue collected was not sustainable due to rising operation and maintenance costs.

However, MPSP has not explained the downward trend in expenditure s shown below, that is incongruent with the claim of rising operation and maintenance costs.

Year	MPSP Expenditure
2010	2.4 million
2011	2.2 million
2012	1.4 million MORE than collection
2013	919, 818 RM MORE than collection

When Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur announced their decision to raise assessement rates, opposition members took to the streets to voice their protest. Now, we see Penang DAP leaders playing the silent game.

Penangites are almost always made to pay when the expenditure exceeds revenue. By 2015, 274,000 commercial and residential owners on Penang island will be affected by the increase in assessment rates (a decision which was announced in November 2013).

Obviously, DAP leaders love to ride roughshod over Penangites in their propensity to hike fees or rates at their whims and fancies. Perhaps this is the UBAH DAP meant in their 2013 GE Slogan. Penangites  have to pay the price for falling for that seemingly innocuous message!