PENANG is hopeful that the Juru-Sungai Dua elevated highway project and the Penang Silicon Design @5km+, which recently underwent a soft launch, will be included in the upcoming Budget 2025.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow highlighted these two projects as key initiatives that the Federal Government is considering for approval, following a series of discussions with national leaders.
Among the leaders who visited Penang to discuss these matters were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, and Digital Minister Gobind Singh.
“We understand that the Federal Government is seriously considering what we have forwarded and that these projects could be included in the Budget. We have now received feedback that various options are being considered, each with different cost implications.
“However, from the state’s perspective, the option selected should be both effective and cost-efficient, rather than just the cheapest. This is a project we hope will be approved. The cost for the elevated highway project is RM1.8 billion,” Chow said in response to a reporter after officiating the appointment letter presentation ceremony for the Village Community Management Council (MPKK) for the Northeast and Southwest districts (2024-2028 term) at Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Regarding the Penang Silicon Design @5km+ project, Chow said Penang has requested ana RM60 million matching grant from the Federal Government, with the total project cost exceeding RM120 million.
“The project aims to enhance the state’s integrated circuit (IC) design capabilities, and we have raised this issue with Tengku Zafrul and YB Gobind during their visits. We hope the project will be approved,” Chow added.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Law Suun Ting