DESPITE adapting to a ‘new norm’ of interacting using virtual session platform, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow was still able to have a fruitful discussion with the British High Commissioner to Malaysia Charles Hay on Penang’s outlook in a diplomatic manner.
In his 30-minute conference call with Hay at Komtar today, Chow updated the latter on the state’s current situation in view with the global Covid-19 crisis.
Chow shared with Hay, who was keen to know the state’s progress ranging from economy, Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), environmental, investment, healthcare, digitalisation to employment issues.
During the session, Chow said the investments brought in by the foreign companies into the state were going on smoothly.
“In fact, the state’s investment arm, investPenang, is now working on 10 investment projects and this is good news.
“investPenang has been keeping me posted on any latest updates and I truly have trust in them.
“So far, there’s no report of any investments being dropped,” he told Hay during the virtual session.
Chow said foreign workers in the state were currently screened for Covid-19 to ensure safety precautions, adding that both local authorities on the island and mainland have been tasked to monitor the situation.
He said the people’s safety was of utmost priority and the state was doing its best to ensure everything goes well.
On the employment in the state, Chow said up to date, only two garment factories, namely Esquel Group and Pen Apparel, would cease operations soon.
He, however, said operations of other industries were not affected at the moment.
To the affected factory workers, Chow said state would help them in whatever way possible.
“The state government is assisting those retrenched workers to find any available prospects,” he added.
Asked on the progress of PTMP project by Hay, Chow said the priority of state executive council meeting was now focusing on handling of the pandemic.
He, however, said the meeting has now started to discuss the PTMP’s progress following the implementation of conditional movement control order (CMCO).
“We are looking forward to signing a master agreement possibly by next month after receiving a third party review on light rail transit (LRT) project.
“PTMP project might be delayed by around three months due to the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) but I believe this can be made up soon,” he said.
Chow also said the 24th World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) 2020 scheduled to take place in Penang would be postponed to 2022.
“We have no choice but to extend it to 2022 as Bangladesh has been chosen to host the event next year,” he said.
At the end of the session, Hay said he was delighted with Chow’s briefing and look forward to come to Penang soon.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan