Active local governance needed more than ever
The 10th Malaysia Plan is now announced. Analysts have generally found it wanting in detailed information. More importantly, it marks a break from the past with its greater focus on corridor development. The principle of "balanced growth" is gone. Given this scenario, Penang must rely on democracy as a growth strategy.
EVERY FIVE YEARS the government introduces its five-year development plan, which is in essence a fiscal allocation plan informing the people why and where public monies are to be spent in pursuit of the nation's development goals. In the old days, five-year plans were given a colour, leading to the quaint practice, for example, of referring to the Second Malaysia Plan (1971-1975) which introduced the New Economic Policy as Buhl Merah or The Red Book. The Third Malaysia Plan (1976-1980) was Buku Hijau or The Green Book — perhaps in honour of the chapter dedicated to the environment found in it.
