BUKIT Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik has appealed to the state government to support the Village Community Management Councils (MPKKs) which are interested to venture into urban farming.
He said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had announced that the state was targeting to build 100 community farms in five years after launching a pilot project at the Penang Digital Library 1 in Jalan Masjid Negeri on Sept 14.
“The state government can consider giving additional allocations to those MPKKs which are prepared to participate in the Community Urban Farming programme.
“Therefore, I would like to suggest that we can begin that initiative through MPKKs. This would eventually encourage all Penangites to participate in urban farming.
“We can utilise the MPKK halls or their compounds to implement urban farming,” said Goh at the State Legislative Assembly in Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Apart from that, he suggested that the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) open up a branch in Perai to bring about benefits to the youths on the mainland.
“This would help to enhance the human capital through the means of education.
“It would also encourage youths to participate in digital economy as well as contribute towards it,” added Goh.
Meanwhile, Goh also proposed that the state government increase its allocation for the Penang Women Development Corporation (PWDC).
“The PWDC has been playing a pivotal role in championing the agenda pertaining to women, family and gender inclusiveness.
“Now, with social development coming under its ambit, I believe it would be good if the allocation of RM1.5 million is increased to RM2 million.
“As an assemblyman myself, I have seen the good work done by the PWDC through the Women and Family Development Committees (JPWKs),” said Goh.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud