PENANG, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- The Penang State Assembly has celebrated its Golden Jubilee with a pledge to ensure unity, basic rights, justice and uphold the law while striving for economic development.

Speaker Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain said state assemblymen should upgrade services so that the assembly's credibility as a democractic institution could be retained.

"I believe that all the challenges can be faced if we are united," he said at the 50th anniversary celebration attended by Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas and wife Toh Puan Majimor Shariff here today.

Abdul Halim said he planned to improve the assembly's 'live' coverage via the internet which started last year.

"It will attract more students and community leaders to follow the state assembly session," he added.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said although the state assembly had seen lots of changes since its first session on 11 July 1959, its role remained the same, to check and monitor the state government, debate and approve laws.

"The checking and monitoring process involves question and answer session, debate and work at commitee level."

Lim said laws approved by the assembly had brought about progress and development to the people and state.

Also present were state opposition leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim, former assemblyman Lim Chien Aun, son of former chief minister Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu and former deputy minister Dr Goh Cheng Teik.