The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has unveiled its Budget 2025, allocating RM466.31 million with a strong focus on creating a cleaner and greener city.
Despite facing a deficit of RM33.03 million against projected revenue of RM433.28 million, the council is committed to enhancing the city’s cleanliness and sustainability, with RM61.35 million specifically dedicated to these efforts.
MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran explained that while the budget reflects a deficit due to increased salary expenses following a Federal Government announcement, the council remains focused on delivering excellent services and implementing impactful local projects.
“We are determined to uplift the state’s economy and position it competitively for the future.
“While we have spent responsibly, the Federal Government’s salary revision announcement came late in the process, leading to the increased deficit for next year’s budget. We anticipate adjustments in Budget 2026, which will help reduce the deficit,” Rajendran said after presenting the council’s Budget 2025 at City Hall, Esplanade, today.
With the theme ‘Digitalisation and Intelligence to Building a Sustainable and Competitive City,’ MBPP’s Budget 2025 outlines five key focus areas: cleanliness, health, mobility, smart initiatives, and economic development.
The largest share, RM61.35 million, has been allocated to cleanliness, with RM7.37 million set aside for other initiatives.
“The 2025 budget is designed to prioritise cleaner, healthier, smarter, and more mobile city living,” Rajendran said.
Rajendran also highlighted the council’s digital transformation efforts, including the introduction of automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR) technology.
Additionally, informative boards featuring the Air Pollutant Index (API) system will be placed across Penang Island, providing real-time data on air quality, local temperatures, and weather forecasts.
These initiatives, Rajendran noted, are part of MBPP’s broader efforts to create a vibrant and liveable environment for Penang’s residents, ensuring long-term sustainability while addressing immediate community needs.
On the automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR) technology, Rajendran underscored the importance of digital transformation.
“It will detect the temperature of the localities and weather forecast as well,” he said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat