Penang 'Baffled' By Racial Friction Finding.

The state government has expressed surprise over a recent finding that Penang had the most cases of racial friction in the country.

State Local Government, Information and Community Relations Committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said the state government was baffled by the finding.

“We are shocked as the finding is not reflective of Penang. We hope to get more information on the criteria used to reach the conclusion.”

Dr Teng was asked to comment on Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili’s statement on Tuesday that Penang, Selangor and the Federal Territory topped the list of incidents of racial conflicts last year.

Ongkili said the issues ranged from social concerns and neighbourly disputes to religious matters.

Penang had 21 such cases. The country recorded 274 cases last year — 104 related to social concerns and 78 related to religious sentiments.

Dr Teng said the people here did not feel that Penang was embroiled in racial tension.

Penang Heritage Trust president Dr Choong Sim Poey said Penang’s multi-ethnic population had traditionally maintained tolerance and harmony. (NST)

****** What do you Penangites have to say about it? Is there that much so-called 'racial friction' in your home state or is someone fiddling the figures to put the Gerakan-led government in a bad light?
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