THE Penang government is working on the latest initiative called The Penang New Core City to further bridge and unify the Penang island and mainland.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the initiative is a collaboration between the state and Think City.
“We have the intention to bring the island and mainland closer and we are currently studying the concept of this initiative before implementing it.
“The state government intends to transform the island into a cultural hub and the mainland into an innovation hub,” Chow told a press conference after jointly opening the Butterworth Fringe Festival 2019 (BFF 2019) with Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng today.
Chow said the project committee members are studying the idea thoroughly.
“There is a proposal to organise a competition to gather ideas from consultants.
“The competition is scheduled to be held next month (January),” he said.
Chow said the Penang government strived for a balanced development between the island and the mainland.
He expressed hope that Seberang Perai would continue to grow in the coming years.
He also said that the BFF 2019 was one of the most significant festivals for mainlanders.
Meanwhile, Lim said the venue (Padang Pemuda Merdeka) and the areas surrounding the festival were the most suitable location to hold the BFF 2019.
“The Padang Pemuda Merdeka has been upgraded and this is also the place where various activities pertaining to arts, culture and heritage were held at the beginning,” Lim, who is also the Bagan MP said.
He also shared that the Finance Ministry had allocated RM350 million for the Ministry of Tourism, RM5 million for the Cultural Economic Development Agency and RM10 million for Think City.
The two-day festival, ending tomorrow, pampered visitors with captivating shows and delicious local delicacies.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Nur Afiqah Zainudi