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LAST week saw the Penang state government seeking city status for the entire Penang Island and applying for the change in status to the Housing and Local Government Ministry. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the conferment of city status for the whole island was vital, especially since George Town has already been recognised as a historic city. As a city, the island’s local government would be accorded more powers, many of the which are currently under the purview of the federal Public Works Department. Read here for more.
“We will forward the necessary papers to the ministry, but at the same time, retain our George Town City status accorded by Queen Elizabeth II on Jan 1, 1957,” CM Lim also clarified. Read here
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Read excerpt below for a little background on George Town's status as a city.
“Formerly a municipality and then a city in its own right, since 1976 George Town has been part of the municipality of Penang Island, though the area formerly governed by the city council is still commonly referred to as a city... The Municipal Council of George Town was established in 1857, the first local authority in Malaya outside Singapore. In 1956, George Town became the first municipality in the Federation of Malaya to have a fully-elected council, and on 1 January 1957, the municipality became a city by a royal charter granted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, becoming the first (and until 1972, the only) city in the Federation.
"In 1965, the federal Government suspended local elections as a result of the Indonesian Confrontation, and in 1966 the functions of the City Council were transferred to the Chief Minister of Penang. In 1974, a Local Government Management Board (Lembaga Pengurus Kerajaan Tempatan) was established for the whole of Penang Island, which became the Municipal Council of Penang Island (Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang) in 1976.
"As a result of the administrative reorganisations since 1966, George Town no longer exists as a legal entity, let alone as a city under the Local Government Act 1976, although it is still commonly referred to as a city.” (Wikipedia). Read here for more Other news Penang to spur development of scientists: The state government will set up the Penang Science Council (PSC) in collaboration with multi-national corporations (MNCs) in the state to inculcate interest in science and engineering among secondary school students. Read here 'Council of Elders' to fulfill local government election pledge: The state government will initiate efforts to set up a "Council of Elders" this year in line with its aim to fulfill its election manifesto of implementing local government elections. Read here Maintain original colours, heritage site owners advised: The original colours of heritage buildings should be maintained instead of being repainted with gaudy colours, said Cultural Heritage Advisory Group (CHAT). Read here Perda to replace steel posts at cemetery: The Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) will be replacing the steel fencing posts, which were recently put up at a century-old Chinese cemetery in Batu Ferringhi, with stone pillars. Read here Guan Eng ready to talk to Umno on resettlement case: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is ready to meet and discuss with any Umno leader to resolve the problems of residents of Kampung Baru Rumah Hijau Bagan in Mak Mandin. Read here No proposal for maglev high speed rail: The Penang state government has not received any proposal for a magnetic levitation (maglev) high speed rail link between George Town and Butterworth. Read here
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