Day of firsts - The Sun

By Opalyn Mok

PENANG (April 21, 2008):

It was a day of firsts yesterday:
» Former Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon, who could have been chief minister had Barisan Nasional retained Penang, was appointed a director of the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and executive committee chairman of InvestPenang – PDC’s investment arm.

Lee is the first opposition member to sit on the boards of the state economic development corporation and its subsidiary.

» In Selangor, Teng Chang Khim was proposed as the first non-Malay speaker of the state assembly and Haniza Talha as first woman deputy speaker.

Describing his decision to accept the posts as “non-political” but a way to contribute towards Penang’s development, Lee said he could provide “check and balance” from within the system, instead of outside.

Speaking after a press conference by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who announced his appointments, the former Jelutong MP and Gerakan deputy secretary-general, stressed that he was still a Gerakan member.

“I am taking this position only because I believe I can contribute as an ordinary citizen towards Penang’s development,” he said, adding that his position at InvestPenang was part-time and voluntary.

Asked if his party will take any action against him for accepting the posts from a Pakatan Rakyat government, Lee said it should not be an issue as he had withdrawn from politics. He quit from all Gerakan posts at the end of last month.

“As far as I am concerned, politics is history for me, and I make this decision as an ordinary citizen,” he said.

“I can be a voice within the state government. Check and balance need not be outside but from within,” said Lee who was offered the positions a week ago. He took just a few days to accept the offer and even “reported for work” at InvestPenang last Friday.

Asked if he had any regrets about his decision which could mean an end to his political career in Gerakan, Lee said he had none. “I do not know what I will do in future, but for now, I am only hoping to contribute towards the development of Penang,” he said.

Asked if this decision was a tough one to make, Lee said if he had stuck to partisan politics, he would be a very difficult decision, but since he had resigned from all posts, it was an easy decision.

“This is just another stage in my life, and I do not regret leaving my political life behind me,” said Lee, who contested for the Machang Bubuk state seat on March 8 and had been in the running as one of three potential successors to former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

Earlier, Lim said the state executive council approved the appointments on Wednesday.

“We feel that Lee can support the state government in pushing the economic development of the state,” he said, adding that the state government welcomed anyone who was sincere about helping the state government, regardless of religion, race or political background.

Lim also announced that Datuk Ho Mooi Ching was retained as state Appeals Board chairman and Tan Sri Khalid Ahmad Sulaiman as its vice-chairman.