General Election 2008 - Penang Under The New Coalition

When AirAsia flew high with profits at very affordable fares, making it possible for almost everyone to fly, MAS was still saddled with shocking losses, taking the national carrier to the verge of collapse.

Then MAS took it up sternly to trim the excesses, gear up the efficiency and scale up the transparency. In just two years' time, it turned surplus, doing the nation proud.

Both AirAsia and MAS have shown that a goal is achievable so long as you have determination to go for it.

Certainly AirAsia and MAS have nothing to do with the recent political shake-up in Malaysia. However, they inspire me to look at things in their right perspective.

After YB Lim Guan Eng was sworn in as the 4th CM of Penang, he laid down a clear agenda for the state. Putting it in a nutshell, Lim set to turn Penang into a clean, lean and efficient state.

This is a vision most admirable and refreshing. For decades, we have been vocal, but nothing much in concrete form has been forthcoming. DAP's Penang took it up to show to the nation that it is boleh!

At this juncture, it is far too early to be conclusive, but the take-off is most heartening. If Lim Guan Eng scores well, Penang might be a model for other states to emulate.