Penang's first Local Democracy Report has pointed out that there are still “obvious defects” in processes and decisions of the local government.

Suaram executive director Yap Swee Seng, who launched the report last night, said that major decisions are still made behind closed doors.

“There seems to be a reluctance to push forward with the Local Plan, especially on the island.

“Certainly, there is a reluctance to conduct any meaningful or extensive public consultation about planning and development,” Yap ( right ) added at the event held at the Hin Bus Company Depot in George Town.

The report is part of the annual Local Democracy Festival which are actively participated by local NGOs since 2011 and supported by the office of state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow, who oversees the local government portfolio.

Yap has described the report as "ground breaking”.

The report observes that the state’s overall and specific planning decisions “seem arbitrary, destructive and devoid of any proper assessment of consequences and future, other than monetary gain”.

The immediate consequences, Yap explained, include flooding and traffic, with wider ramifications for people’s health and wellbeing.

Yap is aware that much of these responsibilities are tied up with the federal government.

But blaming the federal government for everything is absolutely not good enough, he said.

Having said this, Yap then praised the Penang government for launching a series of initiatives related to democracy.

This includes the gazetting of laws related to local elections and freedom of information, piloting a gender responsive budgeting process and the setting up of the Speakers Square at the Esplanade.

Oppression against democracy

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has also launched ‘The Penang Paradigm’ which stated Penang’s further commitments to local democracy, he noted.

These however have been eclipsed by certain quarters who intruded the Penang Legislative Assembly and physically intimidated those who wish to exercise their freedom of speech at the Speakers’ Square, Yap said.

This is worsened by the use of federal laws like the Sedition Act, Public Assembly Act and Societies Act on Penangites, which Yap said “oppressed those who believe in and articulate democracy”, he added.

This year alone in Penang, those arrested for sedition include the late DAP chairman Karpal Singh, his nephew Dalbinder Singh ( left ) and Seri Delima assemblyman RSN Rayer.

The 1966 Societies Act had been used to outlaw the state’s voluntary patrol unit (PPS) formed by the state to respond to disaster and carry out community service.

Three DAP reps - Rayer, Phee Boon Poh and Ng Wei Aik - also face charges under the Act for their involvement with the PPS.

Ng, speaking on behalf of the state, said it does not fear evaluation.

This is because Penang was able to showcase its efforts to promote local democracy since 2008, when Pakatan Rakyat seized power from BN.

Greatest failure

“We went through many tests in the last six years, we tried to break away from the centralised power of the federal government by drafting new laws on local elections, freedom of information, heritage and anti- party hopping," he said.

"We did all these even though we were questioned by the state legal advisor (who reports to the attorney-general)," he lamented.

However, Ng ( left ) admitted that one of Penang’s greatest failure is the inability to conduct local elections as the Federal Court has ruled that the law gazetted by the state was "null and void."

"But we will find alternatives to ensure that Penang’s democracy remains vibrant, and that people's voices are heard," he quipped.

Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh lauded the Pakatan states in Penang and Selangor for the Freedom of Information Act, which will be implement in January.

The Act is important as it ensures accountability and transparency in governments, he reminded.

"It enables the general public to make applications, to go to the state administrative offices in Komtar and apply for information from the necessary departments," he said.

"For example, if your application for low cost housing is denied, you are entitled to know who made the decision and whether that decision can be challenged," he explained.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia central committee member Choo Chon Kai expressed hope that the state will not use the restrictions by the federal government as an excuse not to push for local elections.

"There are many ways to do it and surely the various civil society organisations in Penang can work with state government to make it happen," he said.