Once upon a time, and not long ago at that, Penang was a brand name instantly recognisable globally. In those days, Penang’s progress signaled the imminent progress of Malaysia. It was ahead of others, and was the state that defined the country’s economic future.
Sad to say, all that seems a long time ago now. To take one sad example, over the last 10 years, Penang household income actually increased the least among all the states, including Sabah and Sarawak. Between 1999 and 2004, this figure grew by 2.5 per cent annually, while the average for the whole country was 6.6 per cent!
Penangites have not only been losing out in relative income; they have also been losing their relatives. Even if one does not trust statistics, one must agree that Penang families have been sending their sons and daughters abroad for a long time now—down to the Klang Valley, over to Singapore, and out into the great wide world.
These young people had to leave because there was a sorry lack of opportunities for them at home. Penang’s talents leaked away, and one can imagine the family heartache behind every such leakage.
It is now time for us to reverse the trend. But before acting, we have to discuss matters. We have to visualise what the future can be, and we have to visualise the path we have to take to get there. We have to repossess our future.
