Penang asks federal govt to consider socioeconomic projects

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has asked the federal government to consider the implementation of socio-economic projects in the state under Budget 2021 that can benefit the people, thus regenerating the economy following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said among the projects were the development of the Komtar-Bayan Lepas LRT with an estimated cost of RM10 billion, upgrading of the Penang International Airport (PIA) and development of people’s housing (PPR).

“The projects are for the wellbeing and development of not only Penang but also the country. These projects can contribute to the economic development and recovery,” he told Bernama yesterday.

Apart from the projects, he said Penang hoped that the federal government would accept its proposal to expand the capacity of the airport to 12 million passengers per annum (mppa) or 16 million mppa. Chow said apart from the airport, the development of Penang ferry infrastructure should also be emphasised in the budget.

“For the PPR project, the state government has identified and has proposed to the federal government five areas for PPR development, namely in Jelutong (Timur Laut District), Jalan Mayang Pasir, Bukit Gedung (Barat Daya District), Ujung Batu (Seberang Perai Utara), Kampung Tongkang (Seberang Perai Tengah) and Batu Kawan (Seberang Perai Selatan),” he said.

Meanwhile, Chow said Penang had contributed RM94.7 billion or 6.7 per cent of the country’s GDP in 2019 and the achievement placed the state as the fourth highest state contributing to the country’s GDP. The Budget 2021 will be tabled tomorrow. — Bernama