Please, affairs of state are no joke
It is useless to engage in endless tough talk despite the frustration felt by the state. It is always better to seek reconciliation and goodwill, when the state is dependent on the federation for many things, finance most of all.
By T.K. Chua
Although the Chief Minister of Penang may have said it in jest (about state debt and asking Putrajaya for funds), I think sometimes it is better not to say it.
We know the system is rigged. In this country, the reward is never for the prudent and the savers, even at individual level. Just look at the double quick action to reduce interest rates before any clear sign of an economic slowdown or of inflation abating.
Whether we like it or not, our “federation arrangement”, unless amended in the future, has made the state governments dependent on the Federal Government, especially in finance and funding. The state governments can’t even borrow unless with the express permission of the Federal Government.
Beside road and capitation grants which are provided in the constitution, other development allocations or federal loans extended to each state are discretionary and based on federal budget and needs.
I agree that state governments ought to be prudent. But this is different from being stingy. In other words, the state governments should identify more people-centric projects and spend in the manner that provides the best value for money and deliver the most effective outcomes.
It is useless to claim that the states are debt-free if the governments have not spent enough for the people. I believe the Penang state government is prudent and not stingy, but I think it is best that the state government not boast or even joke about it.
When the system is rigged, based not on merit and prudence but on arbitrariness and discretion, it pays to be humble no matter how difficult the situation may be.
I think it would make a lot of difference if the Chief Minister had said that the state, despite its strong financial position, needed more funds or loans from the Federal Government, so that it can do more for the people including those in constituencies held by Umno-BN.
The people of Penang have already made their choice of Pakatan candidates for the state government. I think it is useless to engage in endless tough talk despite the frustration and discrimination felt by the state. It is always better to seek reconciliation and goodwill, what more when the state is dependent on the federation for many things, finance most of all.
As an ordinary citizen observing events unfolding each day, I think I am getting tired of the endless politicking, confrontation and sabotage that is going on. It does not matter who is more culpable in causing our present quagmire. This much I know: when one heads a state government, the person is responsible to the people of that state, not just to a personal or party agenda.
Maybe I missed it earlier, but so far have we seen the CM of Penang or the MB of Selangor paying a visit to the Prime Minister, or the PM and federal ministers paying a visit to Penang and Selangor and calling on the CM or MB to discuss not politics but people centric issues?
Even as I write this piece, I read of the “Penang tunnel or bridge” projects being discussed through news portals between the federal and state government.
I am not being idealistic. We may dislike or disagree with the PM, CM or MB, but it is the positions they hold that count. Unless and until they step down, what choice does each of them have than to deal with each other?
The contest for power will go on, but the country needs management and governance by those elected, regardless of their party affiliation.
T.K. Chua is an FMT reader.
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