The Rt. Hon. Mr Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang, Malaysia and Secretary-General of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) will discuss Penang as a model for inclusive growth in Malaysia.

This talk is aimed at MPP and DPhil students and invited groups only. However, if you have a particular interest in attending this event, please email events@bsg.ox.ac.uk and we will try to accomodate your request.

Biography

The Right Honourable Mr Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang, Malaysia Mr Lim Guan Eng is Penang’s fourth Chief Minister. He assumed the State’s top leadership role after his victory in Malaysia’s 12th General Elections in March 2008. Following another victory in the 13th General Elections in May 2013, he was sworn in for his second term as the Chief Minister. Born in December 1960, Mr Lim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Monash University, Australia and was a qualified accountant. He is married to Madam Betty Chew Gek Cheng, a former practising lawyer and former assemblywoman in her own right. They have 4 children. He held a senior executive position in the banking industry. Mr Lim was elected as the Member of Parliament for Kota Melaka for three consecutive terms from 1986 until 1998.

In 1990, he was appointed as the Socialist Youth Chairman of Democratic Action Party (DAP) and elected to the same position in 1992. He became the DAP’s Deputy Secretary-General in 1995 and elected as the DAP’s Secretary General in 2004. Mr. Lim was re-elected as DAP’s Secretary General in 2008 & 2013, a position he holds until today.

Since becoming the 4th Chief Minister of Penang in 2008, Mr Lim has put clean leadership and good governance at the core of his administrations. Based on the Competency, Accountability and Transparency (CAT) governance, Penang has managed to arrest the previous gradual decline and is back on track as the leading state in Malaysia. In transforming Penang into an international and intelligent city, Mr Lim vigorously adheres to CAT governance and ensures that the best person is chosen for the right job regardless of race, religion or gender.

Under Mr Lim’s leadership of not only doing things right but doing the right thing, Penang’s success stories continue to grow across the board. From the economic perspective, the Penang State Government through strong emphasis on CAT, was able to achieve surpluses every year since 2008, reduced state debt by 95% and increased state assets by 50%.

Penang also became the No. #1 state in Malaysia in attracting investments and FDI in 2010 and 2011 as well as becoming the first state in Malaysian history to wipe out poverty in 2013. In its quest to be the first green state in Malaysia, the State Government is the first in Malaysia to launch green initiatives such as ‘no free plastic bags’ at supermarkets and banning of polystyrene boxes.

This has led Penang to record the highest recycling rate in the country at 32% which is higher than the targeted national recycling rate of 20% by 2020. Penang is on target to achieve a recycling rate of 50% as well as reduce the generation of waste per capita by 50% by 2020.

Further, ‘No Car Sundays’ and the creation of over 200km of bicycle lanes will help Penang become the first bicycle state in Malaysia.

Keeping Penang safe is another paramount concern for Mr Lim’s administration. To ensure that one can easily walk on the streets and back alleys in Penang, the Penang State Government has installed CCTVs and better street lights, promote community policing and strengthen co-operation with police. It is thus unsurprising that Penang has recorded the highest drop in crime index for 5 consecutive years. The Penang State Government is tremendously proud to have George Town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Against the setting of Penang’s rich historical tapestry, the State is now a focal point for creative energy and artistic talents. The State is fast becoming a dynamic cultural capital with progressive advances in art, heritage and music. Not only does Penang boast of 2 symphony orchestras, the annual George Town Heritage Festival is a celebrated month-long event hinged as an artistic platform built on pillars of freedom of expression and full creative license for performers and artists.

Penang may have derived its roots from colonial days but today, the State breathes modernity in every facet of life. A combination of sustainable development, vibrant cultural and arts landscape, valued heritage, clean environment and healthy lifestyle gives Penang a renewed vigour to be the city everyone wants to live in. Penang welcomes everyone and prepares to win the future by investing in people.