THE Penang government is seeking at least RM1 billion annually from the Federal Government as a sign of recognition and appreciation towards the state for its huge contribution towards the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, while thanking the Federal Government for its allocations to the state, highlighted that Penang contributed RM94.7 billion in 2019.
“Penang is the fourth highest state contributor to Malaysia’s GDP in 2019. The state has contributed about the same amount annually.
“We thank the Federal Government for allocating RM15,197,400 for the state government to combat Covid-19 in Penang.
“The allocation was spent on helping traders and hawkers as well as to provide face masks and hand sanitisers to the people (RM10 million); a total of RM5 million was used to implement small scale projects under the Penang Economic Stimulus Package 2020, and RM197,400 was used to assist the trishaw riders in Penang,” he said in his winding-up speech during the State Legislative Assembly at Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Chow said that the Penang government receives other financial contributions from the Federal Government annually; such as the capitation grant, tourism grant, Malaysian Road Records Information System (Marris) allocation and others.
“The total allocation that we have received as of Sept this year is RM241.56 million.
“We appreciate and we thank the Federal Government for the allocations. However, the allocations given are not commensurate with the contributions from Penang.
“The Federal Government should review the financial allocations for Penang so that the contributions from the state and the financial allocations for Penang are commensurable,” he added.
Chow said that the increase in financial contribution from the Federal Government could help the Penang government reduce the deficit Budget.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Alvie Cheng and Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi