THE Penang government believes it has captured the attention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after highlighting three issues that it has been struggling with and working on for many years.
They are the Sungai Perak Raw Water Transfer Scheme (SPRWTS), the Komtar-Bayan Lepas LRT project and the state’s application for the yearly budget under the rolling plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said if Penang has been sidelined by previous prime ministers in its development plans, he has faith that Anwar would ensure the state would not be sidelined again.
“Overall, I believe it was a very positive trip for Anwar and a very positive one for the state government,” Chow told a press conference after visiting the Songkran Water Festival at the Hin Bus Depot today. He mentioned the meeting that the state government had with Anwar and the Prime Minister’s speeches at Mengkuang Titi and to the civil servants.
“We highlighted three issues that the Prime Minister can help us advance what we have been trying. I believe Anwar fully understands our issues and appreciates our efforts.
“We hope he will give due consideration to what we have raised.
“Adding to what he has said in his speech to the civil servants and recognising the role of Penang, he does not want us to worry. Definitely, he won’t want to see Penang sidelined. If we have been sidelined by previous prime ministers, he would ensure that he would not.”
The first long-standing issue that Penang raised, Chow said, was about the Sungai Perak Raw Water Transfer Scheme (SPRWTS) as an alternative water supply to the state since 2009.
He said Penang would need an alternative water source by 2030 based on a study commissioned by the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) in 2009.
“Of late, we found that our projection on water consumption in the last two years was not accurate.
“There is a spike of water demand which brings about shortage sometimes. An alternative raw water source is important for the future and as everyone knows, we are working on it.
“There are now more industries, more housing schemes and more commercial schemes.
“We are seeking the Federal Government to play its role to ensure that water supply can be shared and be available to every state that needs it.
“Datuk Seri Anwar, in fact, has made certain statements recently to that effect that water resources must be shared. This is something the Federal Government would want to ensure that every state, in this case, Penang, can collaborate and get Perak to come on board to help Penang achieve an alternative raw water source,” Chow said.
Chow added that the state government reiterated the three options that were discussed with Transport Minister Anthony Loke recently regarding the implementation of the Komtar-Bayan Lepas LRT.
He said the first option for the Federal Government is to include the project as a federal project under its development expenditure in its yearly budget.
The second option, he said, is to get MRT Corp, the agency responsible for major public transport projects in the Klang Valley from the various LRT and MRT projects, to implement the Penang LRT project.
Chow said Anwar has directed his officers who were present to include it for the government’s consideration.
The third option, Chow said is for the state to continue to do what it has been doing – call for the private sector to build it, but the state might need to take a loan.
“We may have to issue Sukuk bond. All this requires the Federal Government’s guarantee, which we had obtained during the Dr Mahathir’s tenure after 2018, but it was later withdrawn,” Chow said.
Chow said the state government would follow up on the fruitful discussion with the Prime Minister and hoped that the Federal Government would assist Penang to achieve what it has asked for.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud