Civil society group speaks up

GEORGE TOWN: The umbrella body of civil societies here wants the next state and federal governments to show better governance and a commitment towards addressing legacy issues such as climate change.
They also want an equitable sharing of resources with high social inclusion rates.
Listing out 40 points which it hopes can resonate with both Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan, Penang Forum members called for the bringing back of local government elections, increasing civil society representation, limiting the terms of office for the prime minister, chief ministers and mentris besar as well as disallowing politicians from sitting on the boards of government-linked companies.
Present at the press conference were its leading luminary Datuk Anwar Fazal, who had helped set up many of the civil societies here, Penang Island City Council councillor Khoo Salma Nasution, academicians Dr Chee Heng Leng, Dr Kam Suan Pheng and blogger Anil Netto as well as heritage specialist Ben Wismen.
Film-maker Andrew Ng Yew Han was also among the audience here.
It also wants an immediate gazetting of the (structural) local plan, start a Penang Youth City Council to boost the young presence in government, encourage youth participation in urban planning and stop land swap deals for reclamation projects.
For the environment, among their main suggestions were a moratorium on hillslope development, more urban spaces, no theme parks on Jerejak Island, no cable car near the Penang Botanic Gardens and to develop an urban forestry plan.
They also want an improvement of the cross-channel ferry service and a rail link instead of constructing an undersea tunnel.
Penang Amanah chairman Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusuf Rawa said that Pakatan will definitely consider the points raised by the civil societies, especially on protecting the environment and greenery issues.