Steven Sim

I was on leave yesterday, was great day spent with JR…we went to the constituency in the morning for a short while. Then went for lunch with Mahin and Mohan, movie (Kung Fu Panda!), brought my Mom for reflexology and bak kut teh dinner. Bliss…

Until I came into office this morning, and the battle begins again. Before I can even blog about the Karnival Hari Belia Pulau Pinang on Sunday (22nd June 08) at Autocity, the “good folks” at Berita Harian has already taken action to report the comment of Majlis Agama Islam Pulau Pinang (Maipp) criticizing the State Government for “membenarkan penjualan arak secara terbuka di Karnival Hari Belia” (allowing the open sale of alcohol in the Youth Day Carnival).

Shabudin Yahaya who is an UMNO assemblyman and also the head of the Maipp made the statement with wild allegations including the State is promoting loose lifestyle and even giving out of competition tickets with purchase of the drink (???).

Firstly, Maipp being a state body has gone to the press without refering back to the Organizing Committee. This is obviously an act to garner cheap publicity as “hero” and there was no sincere intention to partnership. Berita Harian also has never consulted us to check on the facts before publishing the report.

Secondly, the State Government and especially the Youth and Sports EXCO office (and myself who is the organizing chairman!!) has earlier given strict instruction not to sell any drinks or food on the request by the location sponsor Golden Highway Auto-city Sdn. Bhd. This was because there are restaurant in that proximity and we do not want to “compete” with them for F&B business. Therefore we have never allow, approve OR endorse sale of F&B not to mention alcohol!

Thirdly, the decision to sell “Shandy” can drinks (alchohol content below 1%) was solely that of the location sponsor and they did not ask for any permission or approval from the State Government or the organizing committee due to the fact that the venue belongs to them.

Fourthly, I have checked with them and Autocity has confirmed that there were no promotional gimmicks, no competition tickets whatsoever given out with the sale of the Shandy drink.

Fifthly, the objectives of the event was clear enough, among others, to celebrate youth activities, to raise the awareness of the public towards current youth activities including that of State youth organizations and other healthy recreational activities such as music, dance, arts etc. It is totally unfair and unjustified that without consulting our office and without giving a true picture of the whole scenario,  Maipp threw allegations of the State promoting loose lifestyle.

Sixthly, this was the first time the new Pakatan State Government is organizing a Karnival Hari Belia Negeri Pulau Pinang and I am happy to say that it went extremely well with the partnership from all sides including the Sponsors and the State Youth Organizations. We estimated about 10000 visitors came and visited the exhibition booth and took part in the show, competitions and free rides throughout the half day event. None of these were reported by Berita Harian.

Well, what can I say?

Focus, focus, focus Steven, on the REAL issues, the Rakyat issues. Not the ramblings of some hero-wannabes.

I’ll put up photos and more cheerful notes on the Karnival later.