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| Jeff Ooi stays, focuses on wireless project, by-elections |
| Written by Regina William | |||
| Wednesday, 25 March 2009 15:23 | |||
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Responding to rumours that he was quitting as the chief of staff, Ooi declined comment in a telephone interview but elaborated that the post was temporary to start with. "It is not even listed on the state protocol; there is no such position," he said. "It was meant to be short term anyway. "The reason it was created was because the DAP was starting from ground zero in Penang and we needed to ensure that the backroom support for the Chief Minister is intact. "It was a voluntary position for which I was not paid anyway. "I was supposed to withdraw after the milestone was reached," Ooi added, saying that he had even told Lim he would quit the post after a year when he was first appointed to the position. He said he wanted to focus his attention on fulfilling his other obligations. "I need more time to focus on the Wireless@Penang project which will see fruition by the third quarter of 2010 and the rationalisation of illegal telecommunication structures in the state which has until Dec 31 this year. "Following the press report about me quitting as chief of staff, I received more than 100 SMS expressing support for the work I have done for the Wireless@Penang project," he added. Another aspect which Ooi is also dedicated towards is to assist sustaining investments on Penang as he is also a director in the state's investment arm InvestinPenang Berhad. Ooi said there must be sustainable investment and development to achieve a sustainable lifestyle. Stressing that these aspects are very important, Ooi said his immediate task for now is to ensure victory for the Pakatan Rakyat in the upcoming by-elections, especially since he will campaign in Bukit Gantang. Ooi is also in the midst of setting up a citizen's group to initiate reforms on local governance. "There is true sluggish reform at the local government level and often citizen's groups have been alienated from participating as emphasis and importance has been placed on academicians. "These stakeholders must be enlisted," he added. Ooi said he needed more time, energy and space for these particular initiatives to be realised. Meanwhile, when asked if Ooi was quitting as chief of staff Lim said Ooi, Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong and Bukit Mertajam MP Chong Eng who were helping in various capacities were carrying out transitional duties. Liew is Lim's advisor on policy matters while Chong Eng is in charge of chinese education. "When these projects are completed, they will move on to other things," he added. Lim also expressed his satisfaction with Ooi's performance, in particular the wireless intiative. Press reports had said that Ooi had been at odds with Lim over the sluggish reforms at the local government level while he was also not too happy with Lim's move to ban an English daily following reports which Lim deemed were unfair and untruthful.
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