‘PENANG CONSIDERED DEVELOPED’
That’s why it didn’t get many goodies in 2019 Budget, says CM
THE Federal Government considers Penang a developed state and that is why it did not get many “goodies” in the 2019 Budget tabled in Parliament last Friday.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Federal Government was looking at balanced development geographically, and as such, he was told that the state should not expect too much from the budget, especially with the country’s financial constraints.
“We will continue to harness public-private partnerships (PPP) to carry out projects. Some of the projects will be carried out using the model without using much public funding.
“The government will continue to be the facilitator and approval authority, so we welcome initiatives to help Penang grow.
“If we get federal funding, we will do more.
“If we get less, the PPP model will be used,” he said after flagging off participants in the Warriors in Purple walk here yesterday.
Among plans for Penang, as listed in the Budget, are the abolishment of toll for motorcyclists at Penang and Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah bridges and to have more tax-free shops at Swettenham Pier in Penang to boost the tourism sector.
On whether more allocation should be announced for the Sungai Pinang basin flood-mitigation project, he said the state did not expect it as the previous government had allocated RM150 million for the project.
He said the Transport Ministry was considering a strategy for the government to not pay for upgrading of the Penang International Airport under the real estate investment trust (REIT).
“There could be restructuring of the airport’s ownership to use REIT and public funds to upgrade it.
“This will be under REIT, even though it’s not mentioned specifically for Penang.”
On whether he was satisfied with the budget announcements for Penant, he said he understood the Federal Government’s financial status.
“The Federal Government has asked for three years to improve the country’s financial position.
“We can still apply for funds,” said Chow.
On the state budget, which is expected to be tabled on Friday, he said he would table a deficit budget with the hope of reaching surplus at the end of the accounting year, as was done in previous years.