Penang to ensure manifesto promises are fulfilled

GEORGE TOWN: The newly elected state government will focus on ensuring that promises in the Pakatan Harapan manifesto are fulfilled.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who held his first press conference after being sworn in as Penang’s fifth Chief Minister, said the priority in the first 100 days would be to start negotiations with the Federal Government on getting project approval and implementation of the Penang Transport Masterplan (PTMP), plus flood mitigation and affordable housing projects.

“The focus is also on ensuring that all the local authorities, state government departments and agencies start the implementation of the approved projects.

“We want all the departments to look into the projects that have been approved so they can be carried out as soon as possible.

“We will also review and finetune the implementation of state government programmes to ensure the people get to enjoy the results.

“There may be more, but on my first day as Chief Minister, these are the three things I feel are important and must be given priority,” Chow told a packed press conference yesterday.

Chow, who is state DAP chairman, thanked Pakatan for the faith they had in him to continue the efforts to transform the state.

To questions on whether there would be a “balanced” exco line-up from the island and mainland, he said they would try and make sure it was equal but other factors had to be considered as well.

“Under our manifesto, we are empowering the Opposition Leader to be the Public Accounts Committee chairman, and also giving him additional resources to function more effectively,” he added.

Earlier yesterday, Chow was sworn in as Chief Minister before Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas at his official residence, Sri Mutiara.

In GE14, he won the Tanjong parliamentary and Padang Kota state seats.