PM meets Guan Eng: 30 mins, 2 statements, no feelings hurt

KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 — Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi met for 30 minutes in Putrajaya today and both of them came away with something - no loss of face.
The island’s newly-minted chief executive was able to raise all the issues on his agenda, including the need for Petronas to fund the construction of the second Penang bridge, and said so at an impromptu press outside the PM’s office.
Careful not to be outflanked, Abdullah issued a statement through Bernama and said that he had advised Guan Eng to be to be careful with his statements as he was now a chief minister. Their different take on what was the news point of their discussion shows how important posturing is to politicians.
Guan Eng said he received the assurance that major infrastructure projects in the state will continue to be funded and driven by the Federal government.
He also made the case for Petronas to fund the Penang Second Bridge, a point he has repeatedly pushed since Election 2008 vaulted him and other members of the People’s Pact into the state assembly.
It was always going to be a tough sell but Guan Eng showed that he was not awed by the setting.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Guan Eng said: “I suggested that Petronas fund the bridge if not fully at least partially. Abdullah said it was not
possible because of the fuel subsidies and other commitments.
“Of course I feel otherwise.’’
On his part, the CM said that the state government will expedite land acquisition and push for the completion of the bridge by 2011.
“We will whatever possible to hasten the construction process. And the PM is trying to ensure that we can reduce the cost of the bridge so that the financial burden imposed on motorists can be reduced," said Guan Eng.
Abdullah told Guan Eng that he should not be a populist. “I told him that he has been observing closely what is happening in Penang. I advised him that he is the leader of the government there and that he should be careful in making statements.’’
In particular, he should not be making statements equating NEP with corruption.
Abdullah said that the federal government would honour all its commitments to Penang and asked Guan to ensure that there was growth with equity in the state.
When Guan Eng was asked about the atmosphere of the meeting, he said he said it was closer to a good meeting than a cordial one