CM: Lee's appointment for Penang's future - The Sun

By Opalyn Mok and Pauline Wong

PENANG (April 21, 2008): The appointment of Datuk Lee Kah Choon as a director of Penang Development Corporation (PDC) is a move to help the state government chart a new course and hopes for Pakatan Rakyat (PR) party members, says Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

"The decision to appoint Lee as PDC director and executive committee chairman of InvestPenang (PDC's investment arm) was made after consultations in the state executive council. Now, we definitely have to explain that we want to have a new political paradigm," he added.

"Whenever there is something new, there are bound to be criticism," he said when asked whether the appointment of an outsider had upset PR members.

Lim said: "This decision is to give everyone the opportunity to contribute (to the state) as we do not want to discriminate against race, religion or political background.

"I will explain (this decision) to any dissatisfied party member and hope he or she will accept the decision."

The appointments have raised eyebrows in the political scene as Lee was one of the three Gerakan leaders who could have become Penang Chief Minister if Barisan Nasional (BN) had won the mandate to rule the state.

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