Penang govt approved RM316.13mil for the implementation of development projects this year, meanwhile only six out of 111 projects approved by Fed Govt under Second Rolling Plan (RP2) of the 12MP 2022

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THE Penang government has approved an allocation of RM316.13 million for the implementation of development projects this year.

 

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government was aware that the development projects which were implemented were important to boost the state’s economy and for the well-being of the people.

 

“Nevertheless, the development allocation from the state government alone is not sufficient to improve the facility network in Seberang Perai.

 

“As mentioned by the Penang Governor, close cooperation between the Federal Government and the state government is important to ensure that infrastructure development projects can be implemented following the timeline set in Penang.

 

“There is no doubt that the contributions from Penang to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as well as the value of state investments are very high.

 

“However, Penang is not rewarded appropriately by the Federal Government. Almost all assemblymen in this august House agree and feel that the state is being marginalised from the benefits of development.

 

“What the state government is asking for is not special treatment, but a fair treatment so that the people can enjoy the benefits,” he said in his winding-up speech during the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.

 

Chow presenting his winding up speech during the State Legislative Assembly sitting.

 

In his reply to H’ng Mooi Lye (PH – Jawi), Chow said that only six out of 111 projects proposed by the Penang government were approved to be implemented by the Federal Government under the Second Rolling Plan (RP2) of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) 2022.

 

“The Federal Government should consider implementing more projects in Penang for the benefit of the people, considering the state’s economic value contribution to Malaysia,” Chow said.

 

Chow said despite allocation constraints, the Penang government would continue to address the issues faced in Seberang Perai.

 

“The efforts taken by the state government to address the issue of traffic congestion in Seberang Perai are to provide public bus transport services and to upgrade road infrastructure,” he said.

 

Among the projects or services that are being implemented are:

 

  1. a) Komtar stop-and-go bus services and Bridge Express Shuttle Transit (BEST) services in Kepala Batas, Seberang Jaya and Jawi;

 

  1. b) Free Congestion Alleviation Transport (CAT) Bridge bus service from Bayan Baru to Seberang Jaya;

 

  1. c) Speedboat ferry services for passengers;

 

  1. d) Valdor Bridge construction project by Penang Development Corporation (PDC) which connects Jalan Persekutuan 1 with Batu Kawan;

 

  1. e) Batu Kawan Bridge widening project by PDC; and

 

  1. f) Road upgrading project from the intersection of Jalan Bukit Tengah with Jalan Bukit Minyak 2 to the intersection of Jalan Bukit Minyak with Jalan Kota Permai by PDC.

 

 

 

Story and pix by Christopher Tan

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