In this final of a two-part interview, Chia Kwang Chye talks about problems in the Gerakan-led Penang state government and speculations that he is likely to be the next chief minister.

Malaysiakini: What do you think of the call to rotate the post of Penang chief minister?

Chia: This is nothing new. It happens almost every year, either to call for the rotation (of the chief minister post) or (asking for a) Umno/Malay chief minister. We take it as one of the 'usual' calls. We don't know the reason this time. Previously there were other reasons. This time, our prime minister (and Umno president) has categorically said there is no rotation. The matter should be put to rest, otherwise there is no end to it.

One of the reasons for the rotation call is that the Penang Malays are being marginalised.

We don't want to sweep it aside as being not true. That will look arrogant on our part. Neither do we admit 'yes, there is (a problem)'. It's more important to look at the facts and figures, otherwise it is just a claim. It's very easy to say but difficult to (prove). If you look at the statistics, it may prove otherwise. Look at the national statistics versus Penang statistics, you may have different figures.

The important thing is for all to remember that the Barisan Nasional government is a coalition government. Just like at the federal level and other states, Penang is the same too - (whereby) the prime minister is for all Malaysians, the chief minister is the state's chief executive for all Malaysians in the state too. There is no discrimination (although) certain projects are reserved for non-Malays.

You are one of those earmarked to be the next Penang chief minister. If you are offered the post, would you accept it?

The usual and proper way of answering that is to say that you cross the bridge when there is a bridge there. As there is no bridge now, you don't try to cross it ... otherwise, it makes you look like crossing an imaginary bridge, it doesn't look good.

Many projects were recently announced for Penang. What are your personal views about the problems faced by Penang?

Penang is a very weak resource-based state in land, natural minerals and definitely there is no petroleum. It is also very weak in agriculture, palm oil and rubber. Penang has only human resources, that's why we must nurture and take care of the human resources very carefully either to upgrade, train and look after them, and don't lose them. This cuts across all ethnic groups.

Penang is industrial-based, meaning you need technicians. In this case, factory workers should be trained technically. You need engineers and you need foreign investment or local investment to keep the industries running.

Secondly, Penang is a tourism state. If you are talking about the Malays, (we need to) make them understand that they must come into the tourism industry. Now with the Arab market, I think Malays are well-poised to enter this industry for the market. They can either learn Arabic language, or in term of religion, they don't need to learn anymore, they (Malays) are with them (Arabs). Arabs feel more comfortable with them. I think (there is) a big window opportunity (for the Malays).

We don't think racially, but when you handle economy or solve problems, you must understand the condition. The condition means if the Malays are unhappy, then you (should) see what are the opportunities for them. I see the tourism trade, especially the Arab market, as a window of opportunity for them to come in and therefore we should develop that area, and not continue in the traditional thinking of agriculture because this is Penang - not Kedah, Perak or Johor, where they can go into oil palm or Felda.

Is Penang island over-populated? Are there plans to encourage more islanders to move to the mainland?

One of the major problems on the island is the transportation and traffic system and the road network. The (Penang) Outer Ring Road is one of the ways out, the monorail is another way. The new bridge link to the mainland is to make the whole state into one (both island and mainland).

It will enable (the state government) to plan and structure the economy better (so the) the people (residing on the island) will not think twice about working on the mainland. Now they will think three times before they will go there, With such links, it will facilitate more movements and spur the economy. More factories can be located on the mainland. Right now everybody want to come to the island.

Let's move to your Information Ministry. There is a general perception of the overlapping of jurisdiction among Information, Internal Security, as well as the Water, Energy and Communications ministries regarding the media.

You want to kill me-ah? These are the three ministries I have served in my career (laughs). Okay, can you be more specific?

For instance, some of the functions of the Information Ministry seems to be encroaching into that of the of the Water, Energy and Communications Ministry (regarding broadcast and Internet media).

How do you want to manage our various industries? The Information Ministry's main purpose is to transmit information about the country's development, projects, programmes and policies of government, to explain to the people what the government they elected is doing. The medium is multimedia, we have to use television, newspaper, radio, Internet, use face to face - five mediums. We are users of these media.

No doubt, previously we were the regulators of television and radio but because of the new administration and new approach - previously there is no private radio and television stations - so we can't be the competitor and regulator (at the same time). By moving the regulation and regulatory framework into a new ministry called Water, Energy and Communications Ministry is correct. I don't see the clash. We don't give them (private radio or television stations) licence and I don't see them as competitors. They have equal responsibility to help the government explain their programmes and policies to the people.

Although they are private, but they also have the social responsibility. (On) newspapers, it so happen we are also user of the mainstream media, therefore if we want to transmit government information or explain our policies, then the Information Ministry acting on behalf of the government will have to appeal and work with the printed media to get the message across or to set the trend and pattern. This social responsibility should be everyone's, including the private media.

What about newspapers? The information minister (Zainuddin Maidin) has been telling newspapers that they should publish certain issues.

My first explanation (just now) was on the Information Ministry as the arm of the government to transmit information. If the information is (in) newspapers, we have to talk to newspapers that this is the government's view and the government feels that it (some issues) is unhealthy. We will tell the newspapers to help the government and the society to make sure it (the situation) doesn't get worse whether it is on security, ethnic relations, economy or politics.

State-owned Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) is funded by taxpayers money but at the same time full of government propaganda. Should it be run by an independent body?

It goes back to my first point, it is the arm of the government to disseminate information to the people and explain its policies. If that is the purpose, there is no contradiction. Whether we use this as a (channel to gather) feedback from the people, whether we transmit the feedback from the people, for that matter, we look at Debat Perdana (a RTM's current affairs forum programme) and certain programmes, they are free in airing views. The people, including the opposition, are given the same opportunity to raise certain issues, but to what extent or percentage and how - that will be going into details.

A call-in radio programme on AiFM has created some controversy earlier this year. Does it mean that the government still cannot allow people to air criticisms openly?

Sometimes you don't explain so many things. If there is a change in the (AiFM programme's) DJ, naturally it will change in the style, like it or not. If the same person were to work in another organisation, they have to adopt the style of the organisation, like some of your colleagues who have gone to the print media. Look at their writing, it's different because they are not (working in) malaysiakini and the editorial will be different.

Is Gerakan not keen to have its own party organ?

We can't afford it, it's not cheap, we all know how many millions (or ringgit) are needed. We are committed to (Gerakan's) open university. We feel that the university will give more chance to the masses to have second education opportunity.

When a media is too closely identified with a political party ... no matter how independent, objective the report is, you can't get away from the fact that it is owned by a political party. If there is no independence, you will see the editorial - even without instruction - it will try to have certain slant consciously or unconsciously. To avoid that and we can't afford it, we never think about it. We rather have friends all over the places.

As a deputy minister in the Information Ministry, how do you rate press freedom in the country?

My views have always been first, we must be matured and objective ourselves until the society has developed to such a level that there is maturity and there is objectivity, more important is understanding the sensitivity and fragility, how fragile the society is. Then the question is what is there? The freedom of press to what level? There is no absolute freedom, even newspapers in America, they are all controlled or owned by the Republican or Democrat, left, right or centre or very conservative, how do you define press freedom?

You're being very cautious in your remarks.

I am saying if that is the case, how do you define press freedom? Your views on press freedom and mine are different. When you face the problem and repercussion, you yourself also (will be) scared. Let's say if your family get affected in a race riot, then you will say, 'I regret I allowed this to be published' but is too late. The question is why not we promote more positive values, more positive angles? Nothing is perfect, if you want to dig all the negative things, that is possible. But to cover up is also wrong, so where is the balance?

Go into tourism, Penang Malays told

Part 1
Chia: Stop fighting like in pre-Merdeka days
Q&A: Why call ourselves Malaysians?