THE Penanti by-election, won by PKR’s Dr Mansor Othman, was on the surface an almost non-event with the “lowest” voter turnout (46.15 per cent, read here, here and here) even with bribery allegations by ex-party women leader and independent candidate Aminah Abdullah (read here and here). Dr Mansor, as expected, will be appointed Deputy Chief Minister I of Penang (read here).

While it was never doubted that PKR would win, there is longer-term interest in the by-election, for example:

• Which way the BN votes went and what it means to future voting patterns? Read here, here and here 
• How did the independent candidates factor into the scheme of things? Read here and here
• What are the issues any Malay leader, like Dr Mansor, would face in Penang? Read here

For more on POLITICS, read here  

• No more tall buildings in heritage zone: The Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) officially endorsed the abolishment of exceptions to the council’s original 1996 policy of limiting the maximum height of buildings to 18m. Read here
• Penang to send own delegation for Unesco conference: Disappointed that the federal government is not sending a group to attend the annual Unesco conference, CM Lim Guan Eng has decided to send a delegation. Read here
• State of 212 crumbling heritage buildings addressed: The MPPP has drawn up a strategy plan to ensure all dilapidated buildings are restored in five years. Read here
• On investment high: The Penang government has requested the federal government for RM5 billion federal guarantee to set up its own investment fund. Read here. Also, US-based National Instruments has committed to $800 million in investments in Penang, which would translate to roughly 1,500 new jobs being created. Read here
• Bicycle lane proposal: A working committee has been set up to look into ways of creating dedicated bicycle lanes in the state. Read here
• Best asset declaration method considered: CM Lim Guan Eng is contemplating the best method for his state exco to declare their assets, ranging from using tax to bank statements in a long-awaited move towards greater transparency. Read here and here for reaction from a prolific blogger.
• 'No' to Chin Peng: The Malaysian government has rejected the proposal to bring former Communist Party of Malaysia secretary-general Chin Peng back home. Read here
• Chinese bak chang festival: Penang celebrates the rice dumpling festival in many ways. Read here, here and here.

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