PENANG (March 21, 2008): He could have lived comfortably and with maximum security at Rumah Tetamu on Macalister Road, the official residence of the chief minister.
However, told it would cost the state government at least RM300,000 to repair it and make it fit for a VIP, Lim Guan Eng decided to forgo the idea, bearing in mind that he had asked Penangites to join him in an austerity drive, which is the hallmark of the DAP-PKR state government.
He told theSun in a phone interview he would rather spend the money for a better cause.
"I found out that if I were to move into Rumah Tetamu, the leaking roof problem will have to be repaired at a cost of at least RM300,000, or even more for other works. The police also wanted me to move in for security reasons, so that I will be safe.
"We have a RM35.6 million deficit budget for this year, and this administration does not intend to spend money unnecessarily. Just for me, one man, spending that much money (the repair cost) is not worth it."
Lim is content staying at his father Kit Siang's corner-lot house at Island Park. "One room is enough for me, I don't want to waste funds unnecessarily," he said.
The austerity drive is evident in this new administration. Gone are the days when press conferences and meetings would see free-flowing coffee and tea, including at least two pieces of kuih for each attendee. Now, mineral water in cups are passed around, with no food in sight. Even the monthly civil servants gathering on Monday saw a drastic change. The 2,500-odd civil servants were surprised there was no makan on the table.
On Wednesday, after his first executive council meeting, Lim appealed to Penangites to help the state in its drive to minimise and reduce unnecessary expenditure, so the money could be used to help the less fortunate.
He also urged the people to tighten their belts, especially after the new state exco reviewed the state's financial status with the deficit budget.
He said savings from these efforts can be channelled back to the state government for other much needy causes.
Former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon also did not stay in Rumah Tetamu. He stayed in his own house in Tanjung Bungah.
Rumah Tetamu was last occupied for about two years from 2001 by Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas when his official residence, Seri Mutiara, was being refurbished.
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