In the midst of the momentous change that occurred in Malaysia on May 9, 2018, there has been one constant: the Pakatan Harapan government of Penang was retained for the third term in a row, having been at the forefront of the movement for change since winning power 10 years ago in 2008.
A Revival
Back then, Penang was in a state of decline, struggling to recover from the Asian Financial Crisis of 1998. Even local government services deteriorated to the point that the moniker “Darul Sampah”, which roughly translates to “rubbish state”, was bestowed upon Penang. George Town was hollowed out, the economy was stagnant and the many talented sons and daughters of Penang left by the droves for greener pastures elsewhere. It was not a condition befitting a state that had been a historical leader in many fields.
