Penang to concentrate on mainland

Chow: We will focus on developing Seberang Prai over the next decade

GEORGE TOWN: Seberang Prai on the mainland will be the focus of development by the Penang state government over the next decade.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said growth on the mainland would be accelerated and that no part of Penang as a whole would be left out.

“I listened to the voices especially from the new assemblymen at the recent state assembly who had asked that concentration be given to the mainland,” said Chow during the launching of ‘Penang 2030’ to about 500 industry captains, non-governmental and social organisations here.

Several assemblymen from the mainland had highlighted the need for the state to look into more affordable housing, roads and sports facilities for the mainland residents.

Chow in his address also said that Seberang Prai and the island were the smart cities of the future and that the Penang channel would be an immersion of possibilities to be explored by ‘joining the two sides’.

Without providing specifics, he said the state plans to do a happiness index, to know how happy are the people of Penang.

“This is to gauge how the society is feeling or reacting to the many policies which the state implements.”

He also said the Penang 2030 plan, themed ‘ A Family Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’, would take the state to new levels through a four-theme approach.

Chow said the first of the four initiatives would be to ‘Increase Liveability to Enhance Quality of Life’ in the state.

“This would address housing affordability, public safety and enhance welfare aid and care system, among others.

“The second would be to ‘Upgrade the Economy to raise Household Incomes’, which would emphasise on local manufacturing industries and the tourism sector, as well as diversifying sustainable agriculture and fostering an ecosystem that nurtures creative industries.

“Our idea is to develop a Made in Penang brand,” he said.

According to Chow, the third would be to ‘Empower People to Strengthen Civil Participation’, to uplift vulnerable communities and reduce inequality.

“We want to create more platforms for public involvement in social development.

“We will also focus on programme delivery and institutional reforms,” he added.

Chow said the fourth initiative would be to ‘Invest in the Built Environment to Improve Resilience’.

“We want to balance development through effective spatial planning and look beyond George Town when rejuvenating suburban centres,” he said.

Chow said this would also include strengthening mobility, connectivity and digital infrastructure; and integrate municipal services with smart technology.

“Climate change adaptation plans will also be implemented under this,” he said.